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A Microsoft software licence is the right to legally install and use a specific Microsoft product. Purchasing a licence does not mean purchasing the software itself, but rather the right to use it in accordance with the licence terms.

Microsoft volume licences are special licences designed for businesses, government agencies and educational institutions. They enable centralised management and easy installation and activation of software on multiple devices. This makes IT administration more efficient and allows organisations to better control and plan their software costs.

Yes, the purchase and sale of used software is legal, provided that it is original software that was first placed on the market in the European Economic Area or the European Union. The European Court of Justice ruled this in its judgment of 3 July 2012, and the Federal Court of Justice confirmed this in July 2013.

No, there are no differences between new and used Microsoft licences. Technically and functionally, both are identical, as users receive the same features, updates and installation methods.
If the used software is purchased from a reputable dealer, the only difference between it and a new software licence is that the licence was previously owned by another company.

Used software licences offer several advantages: Used licences are up to 70% cheaper than new licences, offer no commitment to subscription models and can be used permanently. In addition, they are fully functional in terms of use and performance.

The difference between a licence and a licence key is that the licence represents the legal permission to use the software, while the licence key is used to activate and authenticate this licence. The licence key cannot be used without a valid licence.

Used software licences arise when companies or organisations change their existing IT structures, thereby freeing up licences. Typical reasons for this include IT modernisation and system changes, surplus licences, restructuring within the company, or business closures.

Yes, used software licences from Soft & Cloud are fully audit-proof. We guarantee that the licences we offer are 100% original and legally compliant. In the event of an audit, we will be at your side to provide reliable support at all times.

Soft & Cloud ensures the authenticity of the software by carefully checking each licence. The origin of the licences is comprehensively verified so that only original, legally compliant and fully usable software licences are delivered to our customers.

No, the installation of used Microsoft licences is exactly the same as for new licences. It is carried out using the official installation files, product keys and activation procedures from Microsoft. This ensures that the software is fully functional, secure and legally compliant, with no restrictions.

Yes, used software licences receive the same security, performance and feature updates as new licences. As long as the software is supported by Microsoft, all important updates are provided automatically. This keeps your IT environment secure, stable and up to date, regardless of the age of the licence.

At Soft & Cloud, we offer comprehensive support for software licences purchased from us. You can easily reach our team via our support form.

Yes, even with used software, you are still entitled to updates and maintenance, provided that the versions you have purchased are eligible for updates. The status as used software does not affect this entitlement. Second buyers can therefore also purchase updates directly from the manufacturer.

No, when purchasing used software, the original Software Assurance (SA) is not transferred. This additional service is always linked to the original contractual partner and is only valid for the duration of the initial contract. However, this does not affect the use of the software itself.

Purchasing used software from Soft & Cloud is a simple process involving just a few steps:

When purchasing used software, care must be taken to ensure that the licence transfer is carried out legally and that the origin of the licences is clearly documented. The process is made more secure if the provider can present a TÜV certificate. It is also important to obtain individual licence advice in order to avoid over-licensing and under-licensing. In addition, the licences should be provided via a secure licence portal so that all documents are managed in a legally compliant manner.
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Over-licensing occurs when a company has more licences than it actually needs. This often leads to unnecessary costs, as unused software licences tie up capital that could be invested more efficiently in other IT or business areas.

Sublicensing occurs when too few licences are in use and software is used without a valid licence. This poses legal and financial risks.

Soft & Cloud qualifies as a trusted dealer because we have been meeting the highest quality and security standards, which are TÜV-certified, for over ten years. We are the first TÜV-certified provider of used software licences. Our licence transfer process ensures the legally compliant and secure purchase of software licences.

Yes, Soft & Cloud offers strategically deployed cloud solutions in addition to used software licences. We combine on-premise and cloud models to give you flexibility, cost control and scalability. Find out more about our cloud solutions here.

Soft & Cloud's Licence Advisory Services help companies optimise costs and ensure compliance. We analyse your licence landscape, identify unused licences, potential savings and risks, and develop a tailor-made, future-proof strategy. Detailed information about our services can be found here.

For detailed step-by-step instructions on activating RDS CALs, please refer to this guide.

Yes, you can easily expand existing IT systems (on-premises) with used software licences. Used licences are ideal for supplementing existing infrastructures without having to carry out a costly version change. This ensures that your systems remain compatible, efficient and economically attractive.