Guide to Buying and Selling Used Software

Why buy used software?

Equipping with new software represents a significant cost for an SME. Acquiring new software and updating existing software is nevertheless necessary for companies. However, some organizations are paying a high price today for buying new licenses, while others accumulate software they no longer use but that could still be useful. Authorized in Europe since 2012 by a ruling of the European Union Court of Justice, the sale of software licenses and the purchase of used software was still timid compared to our German neighbors. Initially, this hesitation stemmed from the fear of being rejected by publishers during a software compliance audit...and having to pay a possibly steep bill. But buying and selling is gaining momentum, encouraged by constant pressure on IT budgets. Purchasing companies are also beginning to understand the benefit of being able to save money safely, and potential sellers see the value in monetizing dormant assets. What are the advantages of buying used software and how to do it? 

What are the advantages of buying and selling used software?

Switching IT solutions to keep software up to date can be costly and technically complex to implement. Here are the main reasons that should encourage SMEs to equip themselves on the secondary market.

• Achieve up to 80% savings on approved licenses.

Acquiring used licenses can represent millions of euros in savings on large volumes. Renowned players such as the SNCF, with high security stakes, have been able to make significant savings thanks to purchasing used software. A strong competitiveness issue for this company in full transformation. Moreover, it avoids extra costs related to the evolution of publishers' roadmaps as maintenance costs tend to increase every year.

• Provide a legal and secure alternative.

Buying used software is now perfectly legal. To ensure maximum security, it is crucial to verify the validity of licenses.

• Diversify your software portfolio.

What advice to consider when buying used software?

Mixing used, less expensive, with new allows for more flexibility in an audit perspective.

• Streamline your portfolio as close as possible to the real needs of users.

Remote work has profoundly changed the situation by redistributing needs. In a context where software prices are soaring, it is important to manage licenses with an optimal quality-price ratio.

For CIOs, the advantages of selling a software license are also significant:

• Avoid internal “over-licensing” and optimize the usage rate as close to the ground as possible
• Control costs through savings made and revenue generated by selling assets
• Opt for a more flexible model mixing new and used

What advice to consider when buying used software?

To take advantage of buying used software, companies must ensure on their side to take certain precautions:

• Anticipate and choose a partner carefully

Studying the market and its own needs is crucial for CIOs who are at the heart of both financial and security issues. This will also allow for a broader vision of possible options.

• Defend the project internally

It will also be necessary to accompany the change project internally and reassure teams about the reliability of licenses.

• Go through a test phase if needed

Starting with a test phase will allow deploying the alternative on part of the portfolio and observing its effects both financially and in implementation.

• Ensuring partner quality

Collaboration with a partner who is an expert in their field and places support, quality, and listening at the center of the relationship is fundamental.

In this regard, Softcorner has enabled many companies to realize savings by prioritizing the compliance of products made available and a relationship of trust with buyers. Enough to encourage companies to consider buying used software for the future!