Second-Hand Software Updates: How Does It Work?

Second-Hand Software Updates: What Are the Solutions?

The acquisition and maintenance of on-premise licenses encouraged by complex and recurring compliance audits are expensive for companies and leave them at the mercy of publishers.

It has become necessary for CIOs to consider new software alternatives by combining quality, security, and cost reduction.

Equipping with second-hand software now appears as a credible opportunity to reduce costs, regain control over the application portfolio while rebalancing commercial relationships with publishers.

However, while the legal framework specifies that a software license is an asset whose usage rights can be assigned and transferred to a third party, what about its update? What solutions exist in this area to ensure reliable and secure software?

What Does Second-Hand Software Update Include?

When using a system software and regardless of the publisher, it is necessary to be covered against security vulnerabilities and to proceed with installing updates for optimal use.

The update generally includes several components:

The evolution of the software version (evolutionary maintenance) whether on Android, Mac, or Windows (Windows update).

Bug fixes including the provision of patches (corrective maintenance)

The provision of patches to prevent security vulnerabilities (firmware or antivirus)

Compliance control concerning software in regulated domains

Software Update: What Use?

The update operated by publishers to offer each time the new version is expensive. On average, between 15 and 20% of the license price per year. Is it essential?

From a legal perspective, companies must purchase update rights to access publisher support if needed. For software that requires a longer-term deployment with significant complexity, upgrading is then essential.

In this case, it will suffice to request the publisher to reactivate the update to benefit from the new versions and associated guarantees.

However, for companies that have stabilized their application environment, resorting to paid update patches is almost negligible, especially given the costs incurred compared to actual needs...and if internal level 1 and 2 support teams are available.

Despite the gap between actual needs and the level of update offered by publishers, most domain managers prefer to play it safe and pay for maintenance rather than risk being blamed in case of problems.

Everyone must therefore make their decisions consciously.

Software Update: What Opportunities?

The installation or not of updates is a matter of context and choice. In any case, acquiring second-hand software will impact the IT budget downward. Moreover, other complementary solutions exist.

In the case of standardized software like those in the Microsoft Office suite or some virtualization solutions, the question of the update arises less. Indeed, the maintenance service being spread over time according to the roadmap, the company can easily plan for possible upcoming version updates and forgo the update.

An opportunity to optimize its TCO (total cost of a software solution)

Moreover, other players like third-party maintainers can provide fast and quality technical support for the update. Savings can then reach 50% if one combines a software purchased on the secondary market and third-party update support.

Finally, in some cases, it is possible to eliminate the update contract offered by the publisher for an application whose lifespan exceeds 5 years. And achieve substantial savings.