Symantec Debuts New Software Licensing Structure

Symantec Corp. on Monday announced a new software-licensing structure that will require large enterprises to estimate their software needs up front for the next two years.

The overall plan is called the Symantec Security License Program, with separate structures for small and large businesses. The Symantec Elite Program gives large companies two licensing options. The Commit option requires companies to purchase two years worth of licenses up front in return for a volume discount.

The Forecast option asks businesses to buy 25 percent of their two-year forecast up front.

The new structure goes into effect immediately, although existing contracts with Symantec will be honored until they expire.

For smaller companies, the Value Program has discount incentives for purchases as small as one server or 10 desktop licenses.

Best known for its Norton Antivirus software, Symantec, based in Cupertino, Calif., recently has been moving more into the hardware end of the market. The company last month launched a new version of its VelociRaptor VPN and firewall appliance.

And in April Symantec debuted its Gateway Security Appliance, which combines VPN, firewall, anti-virus, intrusion detection and content filtering capabilities.

But the new software-licensing scheme represents an attempt by the company to draw more revenue from its core software products.