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What is Client Access License? (CAL)?

Whiteboard Wednesday Episode 21 :What is client access license? (CAL)?

Whiteboard Wednesday is me, a whiteboard and learning about all things IT Asset Management (ITAM), every Wednesday!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKGy2o-eyWI


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What is a Client Access License (CAL)?  

A CAL is license to allow you to access the services from a server. So, let’s say you’ve got a greengrocer and you’ve got some cool piece of software for your greengrocers, you might pay for the server here. Then you might have three users that access this server, and you would buy Client Access License for each one of those three users. If you were to get another member of staff that need access to this server, you’d buy another Client Access License. This could be a person or it could be a device, but it allows you as a licenser to give you access to the services from a server. 

How much value do you need? 

The way this is designed is to scale with the value that you’re getting. If you’re a greengrocer with four staff, you’re going to pay for four CALs to get the service from that server. If you’re an oil company with 100,000 staff, you’re going to pay a lot more Client Access Licenses because you’ll get a lot more value. What the CALs allow you to do as a publisher is scale the price, you’re paying with the value you’re getting. That’s the idea! 

About Martin Thompson

Martin is owner and founder of The ITAM Review, an online resource for worldwide ITAM professionals. The ITAM Review is best known for its weekly newsletter of all the latest industry updates, LISA training platform, Excellence Awards and conferences in UK, USA and Australia.

Martin is also the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the ITAM industry created to raise the profile of the profession and bring an organisational certification to market. On a voluntary basis Martin is a contributor to ISO WG21 which develops the ITAM International Standard ISO/IEC 19770.

He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.

Prior to founding the ITAM Review in 2008 Martin worked for Centennial Software (Ivanti), Silicon Graphics, CA Technologies and Computer 2000 (Tech Data).

When not working, Martin likes to Ski, Hike, Motorbike and spend time with his young family.

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.

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