Micromuse is a world leader in IT and telecoms management, delivering industry-leading business and service-assurance solutions to organisations worldwide. The company’s flagship Netcool brand has become synonymous with scalable, real-time, end-to-end management of complex IT and telecoms systems.
However, despite being a major provider of software, Micromuse had haphazard licensing arrangements that needed an overhaul. The company had evolved through acquisitions and mergers and, at one point, was operating around seven licensing mechanisms.
Fortunately, software-licensing expert Macrovision had set up a consulting arm, and was able to help. Macrovision’s Global Consulting Services helped Micromuse implement electronic licensing on Netcool, and immediately reduced the company’s licensing mechanisms to just one. The upshot was a range of benefits in streamlined administration and common libraries. Ultimately, this meant that all customer-facing software was now uniform - which meant a much-smoother ride for the customer.
For Micromuse, cost-of-ownership has been radically cut, and Macrovision has provided the common-licensing platform right across the company. However, the tie-up between the two companies was to produce a spin-off benefit.
Before going live, Micromuse consulted Macrovision about technical-rollout issues. Micromuse quickly realised, though, that it would also benefit from a review of its licensing strategy, to ensure it was getting maximum product and customer benefits. Working closely with Micromuse over two months on a prototype licensing implementation, Global Consulting Services was able to make several improvements that are now a standard part of the company’s product.
Micromuse has since retained Global Consulting Services to provide additional technical prototyping and validation services for the 2004 Netcool release.
[director’s name], Micromuse’s Senior Vice President, Product Delivery, said: “If we hadn’t gone with Macrovision, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Because we now have common licensing across all our products, we can price to the market much better and package different products that we wouldn’t have before. Not only that, but we also have the comfort factor of protection - we know we’re keeping our customers honest.”
[manager’s name], General Manager at Macrovision, said: “Micromuse is typical of the software and hardware vendors we’ve been able to help. With our products, they can flexibly price, package and protect their products, and profitably manage licences throughout their lifecycle.”
Macrovision not only cut Micromuse’s cost-of-ownership, but also helped its customers package and license products to meet individual customers’ needs and budgets. Macrovision helped Micromuse automatically enforce licence terms, reduce unlicensed usage and dynamically change the mix of products available to customers as their needs change. Macrovision solutions also allow companies to bill customers on a usage basis for products, rather than by a large up-front fee.
t: Nigel,
+44 (0)1772 435827
m: 07527 954394
e: nigel@mightier-than.com