SAPanopticon June 2017

DSAG considers SAP document still immature

Following a British court ruling, SAP has published a statement outlining its thoughts on indirect use. DSAG considers the statement to be inadequate.

According to a decision by a British court, software companies can demand additional license fees if other programs access their software for the purpose of data exchange.

Although this ruling on "indirect use" cannot be directly applied to users in the DACH region, the topic has been a topic of discussion among members of the German-speaking SAP User Group (DSAG) for some time.

According to DSAG, the topic of "indirect use" must be viewed from two fundamental perspectives: On the one hand, it is about users using SAP software directly or indirectly. This form of use must be assessed under licensing law.

Depending on the use, you may need a corresponding right of use in the form of a "named user license" or an engine. Unfortunately, there is no clear definition or regulation for indirect use within SAP. However, SAP is now communicating pricing models for indirect use for various scenarios for the first time.

In DSAG's opinion, however, this publication is insufficient, as there are still a number of issues that require satisfactory clarification. "In principle, it is to be welcomed that something is moving at SAP after many years," explains Andreas Oczko, DSAG Board Member for Operations/Service & Support.

However, the document drawn up by SAP on pricing for indirect use is currently still immature, as essential questions have not been clarified and many aspects have not been taken into account, and DSAG has advised against publication at this time.

For example, the paper mainly looks at known cases, but leaves out some legal aspects. This will only increase uncertainty among customers and further block necessary investments in the future.