What is the difference between a license and a license key?

Computing has become essential in businesses, and regardless of the activity, it is a guarantee of performance in highly competitive environments. The software component is the essential part of your IT infrastructure. Your competitiveness gains are directly linked to the software or applications your employees work with. Beyond their functional and technical aspects, the software you use daily is associated with legal mechanisms such as the usage license and the license key. These elements ensure their compliance and the sustainability of your infrastructure, securing your investment.

Software is not just an application 

Software encompasses different types of elements: 

An application 

This application can be developed by a publisher such as Microsoft for specific use. We refer to Windows as an operating system, Office Pro as an office suite, SAP as an ERP… 

A software license 

The usage and ownership of these software are governed by license agreements that specify the rights and obligations of users towards publishers (copyrights, usage context, usage limits, usage rights…) and the nature of the license (full version, update…). This license agreement is now mostly digital. Accepting the terms allows you to obtain all the ordered software components and proceed with their installation. 

A license key or activation key

The usage license is associated with a license key which functions to activate the software once installed. This license key inseparable from the license consists of alphanumeric characters. It is generated based on an algorithm that considers the license number, technical characteristics (number of authorized workstations or simultaneous users…), and the functional scope of the application (features, configuration, interfacing…).  

Security of your software assets 

Managing licenses and license keys is a significant issue for the functioning and security of the company. From a technical perspective, the legality of licenses attests to the right to use the installed software versions. This allows users of complex and connected applications to benefit from publisher support and regular updates (bug fixes, security measures, platform evolution according to hardware updates, OS…).

Importance of license / license key compliance

Business continuity guaranteed by the availability of software resources

Whether for setting up a workstation or reinstalling a server after a technical issue, you must have the software, usage licenses, and license activation keys. The workstation will thus benefit from all the functions and rights linked to the user profile, and the server will regain its initial configuration.      

Do not jeopardize the company with non-compliant software installations

Legally, configuration compliance with the inventory of licenses and license keys is essential to avoid being penalized by publishers if they detect fraudulent use of their software. This violation can cost you between 49 and 80% of the initial purchase price of the software assets.      

Second-hand software, an economical and reliable solution

The high cost of software can sometimes be a barrier to purchase, even though it is an essential tool. To deploy a cheaper software architecture that meets user needs or regularize your software assets, turn to the second-hand market and choose to reuse the software license. This is a perfectly suitable and rational solution in a context where resource optimization is key. The transfer of the license and license key is legal, but it is important to favor a reputable platform rather than a broker who may be less rigorous. Your B2B platform Softcorner, a leader in the secondary software market in Europe, guarantees the compliance of its second-hand software licenses. It is committed to offering you complete licenses (unique license number, executables, documentation, license keys…), competitive prices (up to 80% discount), and 100% secure transactions.