Welcome to the PREO Blog about Used Software

Rising subscription costs for Microsoft 365 are becoming an ever greater burden on IT budgets, as Microsoft is once again sharply increasing the prices of its Office and M365 plans on 1 July 2026. We show how companies can use pre-owned on-premises licences to regain not only control of their costs.

Cost pressures, digitalisation, compliance – the challenges facing IT managers in the hospital sector are immense. We outline the benefits of integrating second-hand software licences and what organisations in the healthcare sector should bear in mind when selecting a suitable provider.

Software manufacturers now typically offer new product licensing exclusively through subscription models. While subscription licences are convenient, they also carry certain risks. Using current licensing changes at Microsoft and VMware as examples, we demonstrate how these risks can be minimised through the use of pre-owned software.

PREO is one of the pioneers of the second-hand software market. For 20 years, the company has stood for legally secure licensing models, the highest standards of compliance, and savings of up to 70%. Read our latest blog post to discover how PREO evolved from a reseller into a strategic partner for digital sovereignty.

Rapid growth, restructuring, takeovers or closures – there are various reasons why existing software licences are no longer fit for purpose and are literally lying idle. We show how businesses and public administrations benefit from remarketing on the secondary software market.

Since Broadcom switched the VMware portfolio, including its licensing, to a subscription model – in some cases with significant price increases – the new approach is under scrutiny in many companies. The key question: do we adopt the changes or turn to alternative solutions?

Only a handful of companies operate without cloud applications; cloud computing is now the standard. However, on-premises solutions remain in strong demand, and this apparent contradiction has good reasons.

Cloud computing has also become indispensable in areas such as public administration and critical infrastructure. Here too, the major US providers are often the first choice – but with increasing risk. In the EU, there are now numerous country-specific requirements for greater data protection and data sovereignty.

There is still a significant discrepancy between cloud strategy and a security architecture tailored to it in many companies. The damage caused by targeted cyber attacks on cloud infrastructures is enormous, often even existential. We present five effective approaches for greater cloud security.

A company's insolvency estate includes not only physical goods, tangible assets and financial assets, but also assets that are invisible at first glance and whose value is sometimes greater than one would expect. Such as used software licences, the legal sale of which often generates unexpected income.

Italy has long been a favourite holiday destination for many Europeans – but when it comes to topics like economy, technology or digitalisation, the country is often overlooked. Yet, there are also positive developments in these areas – for example, in the use of pre-owned software.

The acquisition of VMware by Broadcom at the end of 2023 marks a fundamental turning point in the virtualisation market. The restructuring of licensing and support models has led to significantly higher costs and reduced flexibility for many businesses. As a result, demand for alternatives – such as used software licences – is rising.

The European Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a climate-neutral economic zone. For this to succeed, products in particular must be used for longer and in a more resource-efficient manner. Either by the original purchaser or through clever secondary utilisation, such as on the used software market.

The new US administration is jeopardising the transatlantic partnership with Europe at almost all levels. The result is massive uncertainty in politics and business. The issues of data sovereignty and the risk of dependence on the major US cloud providers are also affected.

Collaboration, convenience, and cost reduction – these were the key drivers for many companies on their journey to the cloud. However, the cost factor seems to be delivering diminishing returns, as continuously rising prices for cloud licences are prompting more and more IT decision-makers to rethink their strategies.

The integration of cloud services into existing IT infrastructure is a key driver of digital transformation. However, many companies will continue to rely, at least partially, on on-premise operations in the future. We explore the reasons behind this and present alternative licensing options.

Hardly any company today operates without cloud services. However, many businesses now take a more nuanced view of developments in cloud computing and adapt their strategies to meet specific needs. We explain why hybrid cloud architectures are currently the preferred solution.

There is no stopping artificial intelligence from entering almost all areas of our digital working world. The current pace of development of AI applications is both a blessing and a curse for companies. We show which risks IT managers should be aware of.

Many companies began moving all or part of their workloads to the cloud years ago. Nevertheless, cloud strategies continue to be an important part of corporate development. However, opposing trends are also emerging, such as cloud repatriation or unclouding.

The more complex cloud architectures and applications become in everyday business, the greater the security-related challenges. We have summarised the major security risks in cloud computing and provided examples of how to counteract them effectively.

From 2025, the EU-wide CSR Directive will be gradually implemented for larger companies, requiring them to engage in ESG reporting. Around 50,000 companies will be directly affected. However, smaller, non-reporting companies can also benefit from disclosing their sustainable activities.

A transparent licence structure is the fundamental requirement for efficient and compliant Software Asset Management. We demonstrate the measures companies can take to achieve greater transparency and the role that the integration of pre-owned software licences can play in this process.

Software audits are one of the most unloved compulsory tasks for any company's IT department. The complexity of IT infrastructures and licensing models inevitably harbours risks of under-licensing. A manufacturer audit, such as that of Microsoft, uncovers these. The only remedy is effective risk prevention.

Compared to many consumer goods, software offers two major advantages: it does not age and it does not wear out. The resulting software lifecycle, which usually lasts several years, offers various levers for greater efficiency, transparency and security with active lifecycle management.

Adobe software such as the Creative Suite or Acrobat are part of the basic equipment of many companies. Although the design programmes of the Creative Suite are usually only used in certain areas, high cost benefits can be achieved by licensing used software.

In addition to the cloud-based subscription model, the new 2024 version of Microsoft Office will once again be available as a purchase licence for on-premise operation. We show when Office LTSC 2024 will pay off for companies and the advantages of using pre-owned licences.

In addition to large companies, the EU-wide CSR Directive now also obliges a large number of medium-sized companies to report on ESG. The European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) adopted in Set 1 provide the framework that will apply from 1 January 2025. We show you what is important.

Software has become an important asset for many companies. This makes it all the more astonishing that assets simply lie idle and are even forgotten. Active licence management makes them visible again and allows them to be sold profitably on the secondary software market.

Becoming the target of a cyber attack is currently one of the biggest risks for companies. The challenges for IT and data security are becoming increasingly complex. However, the consistent implementation of simple and well-known measures already ensure a significantly higher level of security.

The risk of a hacker attack is particularly high for companies with  critical information based infrastructure. Hospitals in particular have recently become a favoured target. We show which measures increase data security and what role used software can play.

Hardly any company can do without cloud solutions within its IT infrastructure. And mega trends such as generative AI, sustainability and cyber security are providing additional momentum. We show which cloud trends company managers should keep an eye on today.

Six-figure savings on running licence costs by using used standard software from Microsoft without any loss of quality? What sounds almost too good to be true is being utilised by more and more companies. We use two successful examples to show how it works.

Cloud providers, technologies and solutions are among the major drivers of digitalisation. Nevertheless, companies and public administrations continue to focus on existing on-premise solutions, as can be seen in the area of IT infrastructure using the example of data centres in on-prem operation.

The more companies move their work processes to the cloud, the greater the opportunities for cyber criminals to uncover and attack potential vulnerabilities. This is reason enough to focus not only on the major security risks but also avoid carelessness.

The used software market thrived in 2023. Unwavering demand is poised to surge with Microsoft Office 2024's launch, fueling businesses' cost-effective solutions. Discover the positive trends and leverage the benefits of used software.

The daily volume of enquiries and the challenges associated with IT support in large companies are enormous. It is therefore important to manage resources and processes as efficiently as possible. We show what is important and what role used software can play.

With an MPSA contract from Microsoft, companies, educational institutions or public administrations can simplify software procurement and its management. We answer important questions and clarify whether an MPSA and used on-premise licences can be combined effectively.

Cyberattacks on sensitive company information, data loss, unclear legal situation or hardware vulnerabilities - the larger the cloud offering, the greater the risks. This makes awareness of threats from the cloud and active risk management all the more important.

Efficient management of Microsoft licences is becoming an ever greater challenge. Should companies continue to rely on on-premise operation, develop a hybrid scenario, move completely to the cloud or return to on-prem? We show why each option can be a success story.

Revolutionary or deceptive? Microsoft's license model for Windows servers, based on individual virtual OSEs, has been around for a year. What economic benefits does it offer, and when is it more sensible to stick to traditional licensing forms?

In the years to come, climate- and resource-friendly management will become a key success factor for more and more companies. The search for solutions to reduce the corporate carbon footprint is in full swing. We will showcase why second-hand software is one of them.

In recent times, there are very few companies which can do without Microsoft Windows Server as its operating system. We will endeavour to showcase why efficient licensing is as important as it is challenging and what role used server licences play.

The licensing of standard software, which must be available at almost every workplace, ties up a large part of the IT budget. This includes Adobe Acrobat software for creating, displaying and editing PDF documents. We show how you can save cleverly with used volume licences.

Companies with numerous locations and business units are vulnerable to an often invisible phenomenon: cloud sprawl. The need for up-to-date and readily available software solutions in individual departments is great, as are the associated risk factors.

Investments in digital infrastructure are increasing dynamically. However, the more hardware and software a company owns, uses and manages, the more entrepreneurial significance professional IT asset management, or ITAM for short, takes on. We explain what is important.

Cloud software solutions offer a convenient, but rarely needs-based carefree package. The result is escalating costs that can quickly become a financial burden. With the FinOps method, companies keep an eye on their cloud costs and sharpen it for alternatives.

Digitalisation, cost pressure, high standards for data security, compliance and sustainability - the challenges in software procurement in the public sector are great. We show how IT managers can tap into new potential through resource-efficient licence management.

Microsoft SQL servers enable organised, efficient storage, management and retrieval of structured data via Structured Query Language (SQL). To increase efficiency in their SA management, more and more companies are integrating used server licences into their IT infrastructure.

SAM is short for Software Asset Management and is usually part of a company's IT strategy. The task of a SAM manager is to effectively and efficiently manage, adapt and plan the respective inventory of software licences and to optimise it continuously. We explain what is important.

Cost pressure, investment backlog, high standards for data security and compliance - the system-related and economic challenges in the health sector are immense. We show how companies in the IT sector can tap into new financial potential through clever licence management.

Although physically intangible, software represents a material value that should not be underestimated. In the event of insolvency, this benefits the creditors. PREO buys used software licences, among other options, as insolvency goods and takes care of a legally secure transfer.

There are still legal reservations and questions about the use of second-hand software licences. These have been clarified by the highest courts for about a decade. We explain what this has to do with the principle of exhaustion and why you are on the safe side with PREO.

From 2024 onwards, sustainable management will be part of everyday management for more and more IT managers. This is ensured by the EU-wide CSR directive. With its documentation and disclosure obligations for corporate activities. We would like to showcase why optimised licence management is part of this.

Nearly every large or medium-sized company has its own cloud strategy. The advantages are evident, and total cloud solutions are being promoted by the major hyperscalers. However, the risks of cloud computing should by no means be underestimated, as demonstrated by the example of vendor lock-in.

Green IT has many facets. It also includes resource-saving software asset management, for example through the use of used software. We give you inspiration  for optimising your company's software architecture in terms of green IT and tell you how to profit from it in the long-term.

Adapting the licence portfolio to the company's needs and avoiding under-licensing is a central task in the IT sector. We explain why used software is in particularly high demand in order to close licensing gaps and result in financial benefis financially.

A company's software planning should be both need-based and flexible in order to be able to adapt optimally to changes. IT managers are therefore increasingly relying on efficient hybrid models, for example by combining their Microsoft E-Plans with used software.

The market share of Windows in server operating systems in large European countries such as Germany or France reaches a high level similarly as the application software MS Office. Due to the volume of licences, licensing that fits the company's needs is particularly important.

Off to the cloud! The "Software as a Service" market continues to grow rapidly. But what offers numerous advantages also has many  downsides. We show why companies in the public services sector and public institutions, continue to rely on on-premise solutions for standard software.

Decisions regarding IT procurement in companies should generally be made by the technical department or at least significantly influenced by them. This also applies to software licence management. We show by way of example why IT-specific expertise in this area will continue to be indispensable in the future.

Should companies use standard software like Microsoft Office only cloud-based or continue to trust proven on-premises solutions? We help with the decision-making process  by explaining the most  important differences and how need-based software models combine both.

Microsoft products are licensed in almost all large companies. Dynamic development ensures that newer versions with more advanced functionalities are available. As the end of support for the version of a Windows server, Exchange server or MS Office approaches, important questions arise.

When large manufacturers such as Microsoft announce a software audit, many IT managers quickly feel uneasy and ask the typical questions. What is the exact license inventory? What are the financial consequences? We will show you how you can confidently face a software audit with the help of used software licenses. 

Many SMEs are currently suffering from the difficult economic environment. The increased cost pressure led to rethinking and action, not only in terms of energy consumption. More and more companies are benefiting from significantly lower licensing  costs thanks to audit-proof second-hand software. But that's not all.

Which software licensing models provide companies with the best possible solution in terms of cost-benefit ratio, flexibility, security and compliance? Since all major software providers are consistently pushing their cloud products, there is hardly any company that can do without a coordinated strategy. Current trend: More and more IT managers are relying on the advantages of hybrid licensing models.

The importance of active and efficient software asset management is growing not only in IT departments of large companies but also in medium-sized businesses. In order to gain financial leeway for future IT projects, the strategic integration of used software licences opens up new potential.

Most IT managers in larger companies have probably dealt with second-hand software at some point. There are numerous providers and marketplaces on the Internet with a wide range of offers. We show what you need to consider when choosing your used software partner.

Small and medium-sized companies already use the advantages of volume licences for software, for large companies or administrations they are standard and simplify internal handling enormously. We show you why volume licences are particularly in demand for used software. 

Almost all companies are struggling with restricted supply chains, high inflation or the search for skilled labour. Saving on all levels is a priority. We show you how you can sustainably relieve your IT budget with used software licences and the most suitable times to do so.

There is hardly a company in this country that has not licensed some version of Microsoft Windows as its operating system and thus also Microsoft Office as its most common software application. We explain how IT managers can optimise their budget with clever licence management.

Artificially generated software keys, forged certificates, non-transparent proofs of origin, missing documentation - the risks in the trade with used software are not to be underestimated. But more and more companies are nevertheless benefiting from all the advantages of using used software licences in a risk-free and audit-proof way.

In this blog article, you can read why more and more companies are discovering the advantages of used software licences for necessary conversion or migration projects & why Microsoft server licences offer particular potential for significantly reducing existing IT costs without compromising quality.

More and more IT managers are already benefiting from trading in used software by sustainably relieving their budget and thus making a measurable contribution to the company's results. In this blog post, you can find out how this works with PREO in an absolutely legally compliant and audit-proof manner.

Imagine someone selling you a Mercedes worth 60,000 euros for 30,000 euros. While this can happen with used vehicles, this particular car is as good as brand new. No dent, not a single scratch, no wearing parts. 

Such a deal would be an economic miracle.

Yet this is exactly how used software works. You get the same product as customers who pay the full price, with all functions and features and every line of code working exactly the way it did on the first day of use.

Surely there must be a catch? No, there is not. This is because hardware wears out, but software does not.

IT managers, chief digital officers (CDO) and software licensing managers bear responsibility for multi-layered IT architectures and software landscapes that are no longer just about high availability and efficient maintenance.

Instead, the evolution of the role of IT in the company going forward is coming increasingly into focus...

Who likes to buy a pig in a poke? Probably no one. You rightly want to convince yourself of the quality of the product before making a purchase. In addition to perfect conditions, this usually includes knowing who produced it, where it was produced and whether it is a new or a used product.  What is completely self-evident with cars, furniture or real estate also applies in the business with second-hand software.

The Gartner Group has been drawing attention to the importance of accurate software asset management for more than 20 years. Proper management of licences and contracts ensures legal certainty, protects against the payment of additional fees and serves as a planning aid for cost-optimised investment decisions.

Nevertheless, not everyone is embracing these calls with open arms. While a 2003 study found cost reductions of up to 50%, Gartner still came to almost the same shocking conclusion a few years ago: