Two-thirds of companies in the Middle East are putting business operations at risk without adequate systems to manage software licences and renewals, according to independent research released yesterday by Adobe Systems Middle East and North Africa.
In a survey of the region's business executives, Adobe Systems found that 57 per cent of companies have no standard process for managing software authenticity, licences and renewals. Without a reliable process for ensuring software compliance, companies expose individual users and critical business operations to problems caused by corrupt operating systems, virus threats and malfunctioning software, as well as potential legal and financial penalties from law enforcement authorities.
Small and mid-sized businesses are found to be most at risk of software licensing breaches because they are less likely to have any kind of licence tracking and management system in place.
"Software purchasing and licensing represents a significant and growing investment, yet the majority of companies in the region remain unaware of the risks that the business is exposed to without proper management of these assets," said Abdallah Saqqa, General Manager, Adobe Systems Middle East and North Africa.
By Staff Writer
© Emirates Business 24/7 2010
