Express Data unveils automated license renewal engine

Express Data has launched an automated software licensing renewal engine for resellers to net the voluminous low dollar contracts that sales people tend to push aside.

Dubbed IT Agent, the system automatically renews expiring contracts. It will continue to bill and provide licenses to the user until they choose to opt-out, similar to a pay-tv contract.

Express Data claimed the system will "revolutionise" the way resellers chase low dollar maintenance contracts.

David Peach (pictured), general manager, vendors at Express Data said at the IT Agent's Sydney launch Thursday that the system solves a problem that has been a around "since the channel was developed".

"We often do things you don't know about, but sometimes we do things that change the game," he said.

Emerging channels manger, Clint Musgrave has led the project since its inception 18 months ago.

"It's been a long time coming," he said. "It's been a labour of love."

"We often look at new deals over little renewals, it's just the way we do business.

"We thought if we build in automation, and take out administration, the process becomes more cost effective."

Musgrave said, IT Agent is an add-on service and resellers are not obligated to sign up.

But, the opportunity for resellers becomes evident as licences expire, he said.

"Every time a licence is renewed resellers will receive a rebate.

"Resellers will start seeing gross profit without doing anything," he said.

Cisco, CA, Novell, Microsoft , M86, IBM, Autodesk and Adobe have signed up to IT Agent.

Phil Cameron, CA's vice president, Asia Pacific and Japan channel sales (Internet Security), said the renewals engine adds "value" to CA's offering.

"It assists the channel as a whole to increase the closure rate of renewals," he said.