PVU, RVU, VPC & Other Licence Metrics
IBM uses some of the most complex licensing metrics in the software industry. PVU, RVU, VPC, floating, token-based, and subscription models each have distinct rules that determine your cost — and getting the metric wrong is the most common source of audit exposure.
IBM Licence Models: Tips & Considerations
The definitive guide to IBM licensing metrics: PVU, RVU, VPC, user-based, capacity-based, floating, and subscription models. Understand how each metric works, which products use which model, and the key compliance considerations for every licence type.
Read the Full GuideDecoding IBM PVU Licensing: A Comprehensive Guide
Processor Value Units (PVU) are IBM's core licensing metric for distributed middleware. Understand how PVU values are assigned to processors, how sub-capacity works, virtualisation rules, and common PVU compliance mistakes.
Read GuideMastering IBM RVU Licensing: A Complete Guide
Resource Value Units (RVU) measure consumption based on the resources managed — not the hardware running the software. Understand RVU calculation methods, common products using RVU, and optimisation strategies.
Read GuideIBM Floating & Token-Based Licensing
Floating and token-based licences allow shared access across users — but come with their own compliance challenges. Understand how concurrent access works, token conversion ratios, and how to optimise shared licence pools.
Read ArticleIBM Subscription Licensing: How It Works
IBM is shifting more products to subscription licensing. Understand how subscription models differ from perpetual, when subscription makes financial sense, the renewal dynamics, and the implications for your budget planning.
Read ArticleIBM Non-Production Licensing: Dev, Test & DR
Dev, test, and disaster recovery environments often require separate IBM licences — but the rules vary by product and metric. Strategies for minimising non-production licensing costs while maintaining compliance.
Read ArticleIBM Bundling & Licensing Practices Explained
IBM's bundling practices — including included components, prerequisite products, and sub-component licensing — create hidden compliance risks. Understand how bundling works and the licensing obligations it creates.
Read ArticleILMT Compliance & Sub-Capacity Reporting
IBM's sub-capacity licensing allows you to licence based on virtualised capacity rather than full server capacity — but only if you deploy and maintain ILMT correctly. Failure to comply with ILMT requirements reverts you to full-capacity pricing, which can multiply your licence cost overnight.
CIO Advisory: IBM Sub-Capacity Licensing & ILMT Compliance
The definitive guide to IBM sub-capacity licensing and ILMT: deployment requirements, reporting obligations, the 90-day audit window, common compliance failures, and how to maintain sub-capacity eligibility across your estate.
Read GuidePassport Advantage, ELA, IULA & Agreement Types
IBM offers several agreement structures — each with different pricing mechanics, discount tiers, and flexibility. Understanding which agreement type best fits your IBM footprint is the foundation of an effective IBM licensing strategy.
IBM Passport Advantage: Guide & Recent Changes
Passport Advantage is IBM's primary volume licensing programme. Understand how PA pricing works, discount levels, S&S renewal mechanics, the recent programme changes, and the options available to PA customers.
Read GuideWhat Is an IBM ELA (Enterprise Licence Agreement)?
IBM Enterprise Licence Agreements offer custom pricing for large IBM estates. Understand what an ELA covers, how it differs from Passport Advantage, when an ELA makes sense, and the key terms to negotiate.
Read ArticleDecoding the IBM IULA (Unlimited Licence Agreement)
IBM's IULA provides unlimited deployment rights for specific products — similar to Oracle's ULA. Understand how IULAs work, the exit/certification process, and how to evaluate whether an IULA delivers genuine value.
Read ArticleAudit Defence: IASP, Settlements & Compliance
IBM conducts audits through both formal programmes and the IASP (IBM Authorized SAM Provider) channel. Understanding the audit process, your contractual rights, and the difference between IASP reviews and formal audits is critical to protecting your position.
IBM Audit: What You Need to Know to Take Control
The definitive guide to IBM audit defence: how IBM audits are triggered, the audit process lifecycle, your contractual rights under the IPLA, how to control data sharing, and the strategies that reduce or eliminate compliance findings.
Read GuideNegotiating IBM Audit Settlements: CIO Strategies
IBM's initial audit finding is always negotiable. Expert strategies for challenging findings, disputing PVU calculations, negotiating reduced settlement amounts, and converting audit results into better commercial terms.
Read ArticleIBM IASP Programme: Avoiding Formal Audits Proactively
The IASP programme offers a less adversarial path to compliance — but it is not without risks. Understand how IASP reviews work, what data is shared with IBM, and how to use the programme strategically to prevent formal audits.
Read GuideNegotiation: Passport Advantage, ELA & Shelfware
IBM negotiations require deep knowledge of Passport Advantage pricing tiers, ELA structures, and the commercial dynamics of IBM's sales organisation. Whether you are renewing, restructuring, or reducing your IBM footprint, the strategies here can deliver significant savings.
Negotiating IBM Passport Advantage & ELA Agreements
The definitive IBM negotiation resource: preparation frameworks, PA discount tier strategies, ELA structuring, S&S renewal tactics, competitive leverage, and the most common IBM negotiation traps to avoid. Everything CIOs and procurement teams need to negotiate with confidence.
Read the Full PlaybookIBM Cost Optimisation & Shelfware Reduction
Most IBM customers are paying S&S on licences they no longer use. A practical guide to identifying IBM shelfware, calculating the financial impact, and strategies for reducing or eliminating unused licence maintenance.
Read GuideThird-Party Support for IBM Software: CIO Playbook
Third-party support can reduce IBM S&S costs by 50% or more — but it comes with trade-offs. An independent analysis of third-party support providers, what you gain and lose, and when it makes strategic sense to switch.
Read GuideCloud Paks, VPC & the PVU-to-VPC Transition
IBM's shift from PVU to VPC (Virtual Processor Core) licensing — particularly through the Cloud Pak portfolio — represents the most significant change in IBM licensing in a decade. Understanding the new metric and migration path is essential for any IBM customer running containerised or cloud-native workloads.
CIO Playbook: IBM PVU-to-VPC Licensing Transition
IBM is transitioning many products from PVU to VPC licensing. Understand the conversion mechanics, how VPC counts map to PVU entitlements, the impact on your licence position, and what to negotiate during the transition.
Read GuideOverview of IBM Cloud Paks & VPC Licensing
IBM Cloud Paks bundle containerised IBM software with Red Hat OpenShift entitlements. Understand the Cloud Pak portfolio, VPC licensing mechanics, entitlement bundling rules, and how Cloud Paks change your IBM licensing dynamics.
Read ArticleCIO Playbook: IBM Red Hat Integration & Open Source Licensing
IBM's acquisition of Red Hat created new licensing dynamics for OpenShift, RHEL, and Ansible. Understand how Red Hat subscriptions interact with IBM entitlements, bundling rights, and the negotiation strategies for combined IBM-Red Hat deals.
Read GuideIBM's Shift to Subscription & SaaS: CIO Playbook
IBM is moving aggressively from perpetual to subscription and SaaS models. Understand the strategic implications, how to evaluate perpetual vs subscription economics, and what to negotiate as products transition to new commercial models.
Read ArticleMainframe: z/OS, MSU Pricing & Optimisation
IBM mainframe software licensing — with its MSU-based pricing, IPLA agreements, and complex sub-capacity rules — represents some of the largest and most complex software spend in enterprise IT. Even small optimisations here can save millions annually.
IBM Mainframe Software Licensing: CIO Advisory
The comprehensive guide to IBM mainframe software licensing: MSU-based pricing, MLC vs OTC models, IPLA products, sub-capacity options, Tailored Fit Pricing, and the optimisation strategies that reduce mainframe software costs.
Read GuideWebSphere, MQ & Middleware Optimisation
IBM's middleware portfolio — WebSphere, MQ, Integration Bus, and related products — is licensed primarily on PVU or VPC metrics. These products are among the most commonly over-licensed in IBM audits, making optimisation and compliance critical.
Optimising IBM Middleware Licensing: CIO Playbook
A strategic guide to IBM middleware licensing optimisation: version consolidation, edition right-sizing, virtualisation strategies, sub-capacity compliance, and the common over-licensing patterns that inflate middleware costs.
Read GuideIBM WebSphere Licensing: Models & Best Practices
WebSphere Application Server — with its multiple editions, PVU pricing, and complex entitlement rules — is one of IBM's most heavily audited products. Understand the licensing models, common compliance issues, and optimisation tactics.
Read ArticleHow IBM MQ Licensing Works
IBM MQ licensing depends on the edition, deployment model, and whether you are running in traditional or containerised environments. A practical guide to MQ licensing models, compliance requirements, and cost optimisation.
Read ArticleIBM BPM Licensing: A Practical Guide
IBM Business Process Manager licensing covers multiple editions with different user types and PVU requirements. Understand the licensing options, user classification rules, and how to optimise your BPM licence position.
Read ArticleDb2, Cognos, SPSS, QRadar & Analytics Licensing
IBM's data and analytics portfolio includes some of the most widely deployed enterprise software in the world. Each product uses different licensing metrics — from PVU and RVU to user-based models — making compliance management and optimisation a product-by-product exercise.
IBM Db2 Licensing: Understanding Your Options
IBM Db2 licensing spans multiple editions, metrics (PVU, VPC, user-based), and deployment models. Understand the licensing options, common compliance issues, and how to right-size your Db2 licence position.
Read ArticleIBM Cognos Licensing: User Roles & Access
IBM Cognos Analytics uses role-based user licensing that determines access levels and cost. Understand the user types (Author, Consumer, Explorer), licensing metrics, and how to optimise your Cognos user mix.
Read ArticleIBM SPSS Licensing Models: How Do They Work?
IBM SPSS offers authorized user, concurrent user, and subscription licensing. Understand how each model works, which modules require separate licences, and the optimisation strategies for academic and enterprise deployments.
Read ArticleManaging Costs with IBM QRadar Licensing
IBM QRadar SIEM licensing is based on events per second (EPS) and flows per minute (FPM). Understand the pricing model, how to right-size your EPS commitment, and strategies for managing QRadar licensing costs as data volumes grow.
Read ArticleIBM Analytics & Data Platform Licensing: CIO Advisory
A strategic overview of IBM's analytics and data platform licensing landscape: covering Db2, DataStage, InfoSphere, Watson Studio, and related products. Understand the metrics, bundling options, and cost optimisation opportunities.
Read GuideCIO Playbook: IBM Security & Storage Licensing
IBM's security (Guardium, QRadar, Verify) and storage (Spectrum) software uses a mix of RVU, PVU, and capacity-based metrics. Navigate the licensing complexity across these product families and identify optimisation opportunities.
Read GuideMaximo, Tivoli, MaaS360, Aspera, Spectrum & Rational
IBM's broader product portfolio spans asset management, endpoint management, file transfer, storage, and DevOps — each with distinct licensing models. Product-specific guidance ensures you are licensed correctly and not overpaying.
CIO Playbook: IBM Maximo & Industry Solutions
IBM Maximo is the industry standard for enterprise asset management — and one of IBM's most complex licensing models. Understand Maximo user types, add-on modules, industry solutions, and how to optimise your Maximo licence position.
Read GuideIBM Tivoli Licensing: Avoiding Compliance Risks
IBM Tivoli products (now often rebranded) use RVU, PVU, and managed device metrics. Understand the compliance risks specific to Tivoli deployments, common audit findings, and strategies for right-sizing your Tivoli licences.
Read ArticleIBM MaaS360 Licensing Plans Guide
IBM MaaS360 is IBM's UEM (Unified Endpoint Management) platform. Understand the licensing tiers, per-device pricing, add-on features, and how to select the right MaaS360 plan for your device management needs.
Read ArticleIBM Aspera Licensing: Perpetual vs Consumption-Based
IBM Aspera — used for high-speed file transfer — offers both perpetual and consumption-based licensing. Compare the models, understand usage-based pricing mechanics, and choose the right approach for your data transfer volumes.
Read ArticleIBM Spectrum Licensing Models Guide
IBM Spectrum (Scale, Virtualize, Protect, Control) uses terabyte-based and PVU-based licensing. Understand the licensing model for each Spectrum product and how to optimise your storage software licensing.
Read ArticleKey Facts About IBM Rational Licensing
IBM Rational tools (now part of IBM Engineering) use floating, token, and authorized user licensing. Understand the licensing options for Rational Team Concert, DOORS, and other ALM tools in the Rational portfolio.
Read ArticleStrategy: M&A, Vendor Management & Transformation
Beyond individual products, your overall IBM licensing strategy determines whether you control costs or get swept along by IBM's commercial priorities. Corporate transactions, vendor consolidation, and the shift to subscription models all require strategic planning.
CIO Playbook: IBM Licensing in M&A & Divestitures
Corporate transactions create complex IBM licensing challenges. Understand contract assignment rules, licence transfer mechanics, subsidiary rights under Passport Advantage, and the negotiation strategies that protect your position during M&A.
Read GuideNeed Expert Help with IBM Licensing?
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