IBM software licensing, without the true-up surprise.

Passport Advantage, explained in your environment

IBM Passport Advantage is the primary program for purchasing, renewing, and tracking IBM software entitlements. Metrics vary by product — Processor Value Units, Authorized Users, Resource Value Units, Virtual Processor Cores — and each has compliance implications. We help you keep records accurate, avoid true-up surprises, and identify consolidation opportunities.

Sub-capacity licensing

Eligible IBM software can be licensed on virtual processor cores assigned to a VM rather than full physical capacity. In virtualized estates that can mean 40–70% savings on PVU-based products — if IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) is configured correctly. Failure to maintain ILMT is one of the most common audit findings and can force a return to full-capacity charges. We assess eligibility, stand up compliant reporting, and keep it that way.

Audit readiness and response

IBM audits through its Software Asset Management program. We review ILMT configuration, deployment records, and entitlement position before IBM asks — and we stay with you if an audit is already underway.

Renewals and true-up management

We track expiry dates, version changes, and S&S lapses so you are not caught by software that was “retired” but still deployed. Partner Plus resellers also see deal-registration and bundle paths — including Cloud Pak subscriptions — that a transactional reseller will not surface.

Questions we hear first