Enterprise Software Piracy

Planning to install software for your business? Beware of software pirates who sell you software illegally violating laws.

Piracy is an illegal procedure following, which you may have benefits for a short time but is risky. Enterprise software is also facing the threat of piracy. Some vendors without having knowledge of consequences can face charges for doing piracy. It is shocking that most large companies buy only one copy of software and install in many systems. Piracy is seen in most of the companies.

This article will deal with reasons for software piracy, effects due to piracy, types of piracy that can happen and importance of discouraging software piracy.

Reasons for piracy
First and foremost thing is cost will be reduced if you install buy a pirated software. You can install in more computers, unlike that is bought legally.

If the requirement is high, companies may not be able to buy them. They are attracted to low cost offers given by certain vendors. They can have savings and can invest that money for other businesses.

Types of piracy that commonly happen

• Counterfeiting piracy – It is piracy involving duplication of packaged software. For example, piracy on compact discs, licensed agreements, registration cards etc.

• Internet piracy – This is more common when you install a software via internet. Example, websites that offer free download options, auction sites, etc.

• End user piracy – This involves buying one original copy and making many duplicates from it and using the copies on system of unauthorized person. Example, using original copy to install on many computers, copying original on many copies and selling them.

• Hard disc loading piracy – Hard disc loading piracy involves loading software on hard discs without getting legal authentication.

• Client server overuse piracy – This is like using of one original copy of software by many people at same time

Difficulties due to enterprise software piracy
It may make you feel happy but the happiness is temporary. By the time you realize and repent on what you have done, situation passes away from your hands.

Using pirated software will offer poor services, often engaged in repairs and assures low safety. It may damaged your entire computer sometimes.

There is problem of being hacked by virus, making processes slow and ultimately effect productivity of your business.

Threat for security – original software will offer highest security, whereas pirated software is always under risk of security. Your data might be stolen and official security systems like passwords and use them to open your documents.

Piracy can create a black mark on your identity – if customers come to know that you are using illegal services and software to serve them, there is a chance of loosing customers

Application Server and its Function

An application server acts like a mediator between the front end (user) and the back end (databases). Application server is a software program designed to serve clients connected to it. It processes the request and send services to them by applying business logic and accessing databases. Generally clients request for a business logic to use it and perform business operations. It uses different types of protocols to communicate with the client like HTTP, etc.

Application servers are capable of maintaining their own resources. They allow scalability and able to manage heavy workloads. Application server may also contain a web server. So, it can be said that an application server is a superset of web servers. 

The most important feature of application server is that it is very secure and security measures applied to the application server secures all other systems of the business because of its centralized behavior.

Application server can be installed in an organization in three ways

• Application server can be integrated with the web server.
• It can be plugged in whenever required as plug and play model.
• Installed independently if affordable by the businesses.

Functions of application server:
Centralized
Application server is a centralized system. This means, all the computers connected to it can be controlled by application server. Any changes or upgrades to all the systems is made by using application server. Changes or upgrades done to the server automatically changes or upgrades all other systems. Providing security to the application server secures all other systems.

Supports website
Application servers when installed in an organization look after the website and maintain it.

Provides e-commerce application
An application server can manage and support the e-commerce of a business. E-commerce is used in businesses for selling and buying the products of a business through electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, etc.

Integration of code and data
As said before, application server is a mediator between user and the server. Any requests received by the application server from the client is processed by applying the procedural functions or code by accessing the data and then the service is delivered to the user.

Performance management
Application server follows typical client/server model. Hence, the transactions between the client and the server are quick and accurate. Application server is responsible for the performance of the network or group of computers connected to it. It manages the resources and databases and handles heavy workload so performance of the server is high.

Application servers provide many important features like security, scalability, increases the performance, handles heavy workload, etc. So, installing application server in any organization is helpful.