Express Data distributes Microsoft’s SPLA

Paul Voges, director of small and mid-sized solutions and partners at Microsoft Australia, said in contrast to the current licensing arrangements - where businesses pay an upfront fee for software - SPLA is a subscription or rental agreement whereby end user businesses only pay for the software they have used.

“Express Data will be able to offer the SPLA licensing program to our mutual partners who deliver hosting and software services,” he said.

“Our extended partnership with ED provides a flexible, subscription-based licensing model to organisations who have embraced Software + Services.”

ED’s Microsoft business manager, Stephanie Browne, said SaaS is a positive for everyone in the channel.

“SPLA resellers in the market host software and solutions tailored to their customers’ needs,” she said.

“It is still a solution sale but the reseller can keep the solution current and supportable.”

According to Browne, it also makes great business sense for the end user, because there is no up-front software costs and clients are only charged for what they’ve used the previous month.