Buy used software – a cost-effective alternative

If you already count on "used" for your server, PC or notebook - why not also for your software? Since these are not physical goods, but merely a right of use, second-hand licenses have the advantage that they do not wear out. You get the same features, security, quality, and rights as the original buyer, but at a much lower price. Protect your IT budget and not only rely on our high-quality, refurbished hardware, but now also on used software.

Set up a professional IT landscape in your company: inexpensive, tailored exactly to your requirements, sustainable and, above all, feasible for SMEs. High-quality software – just like high-end hardware – is usually associated with high costs. However, if you rely on inexpensive products that are not intended for professionals, the quality of your IT infrastructure will suffer. Therefore, it is worth resorting to second-hand goods: As you already know, server, storage and network products are still state-of-the-art even after a few years and software has the advantage that it does not show any "signs of wear" after use can carry away.

Advantages of used software

In addition to the argument that software does not wear out, there are many other advantages for you if you rely on second-hand licenses:

Server Operating Systems, Office Applications & Access licenses – benefit from our wide range

Would you like to expand your IT landscape easily, professionally and cost-effectively? Then don't just rely on our refurbished hardware, but also on our large selection of used software. In addition to common standard software from Microsoft, we also offer you a variety of different software solutions and licenses for your enterprise hardware.

Our broad product portfolio is continuously being expanded and includes the following areas:

office applications		operating systems
	Adobe Acrobat Adobe Creative Suite Microsoft Office Microsoft Project Microsoft Visio		Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows Server
Server Licenses		User CALs / access licenses
	Microsoft Exchange Server Microsoft SQL-Server Microsoft Skype Microsoft System Center Server		CAL Suites Exchange Server CAL SQL Server CAL Skype for Business CAL Windows Server CAL Remote Desktop CAL System Center Server CAL

Didn't find your desired product in our shop? Please contact us directly in this regard: by phone +49 (0) 9402- 93 8505 0 using our contact form, by email to shop@quattroM.com or via our chat.

Purchase advice for your software applications - our new strong partner VENDOSOFT

Together with us or directly online using our configurator, you can not only put together your individual server exactly according to your requirements - you can now also order the right software online at the same time.

With VENDOSOFT, we have a strong and competent partner who will advise you personally and work with you to find the optimal software solution for your server systems. Especially when it comes to issues such as licensing and legal issues, it is important to rely on a trustworthy and reliable partner. VENDOSOFT, based in Inning am Ammersee, has almost 10 years of experience in buying and selling used software, over 5,500 customers and 4,000 CSP users.

With every order, your company receives digital or analogue:

• Data medium and installation key
• The transfer of all rights of use
• An uninstall confirmation
• Delivery note, invoice and license folder

All license deliveries are legally compliant and meet the legal requirements for the transfer of rights. VENDOSOFT is a Microsoft Solutions Partner and, like the software manufacturer, undergoes regular audits by external auditors in order to be able to confirm correct licensing. The authenticity of the licenses guarantees that only tested software and data carriers with legally valid licenses are sold.

By buying used software, you not only save high costs compared to new software. Advice from professionals on operating systems, access licenses and software applications will help you avoid bad purchases and follow-up costs due to incorrect implementations - the installation of older previous versions that are more compatible with the requirements of your company is also possible by purchasing 2nd-hand software.

Another advantage: VENDOSOFT also buys your used software and thus helps you to increase your IT budget and turn idle assets into cash. In the course of selling your old IT, we would be happy to work with our partner to make you a complete offer for the hardware and software you no longer need.

We have optimized our purchase form for you so that you can now enter the installed software directly online and have a buyback offer made for it.

You can reach our purchase form here.

FAQ – Used software, is it legal? The most important questions on this topic explained briefly

Legal certainty is the top priority when it comes to buying used software. Above all, "new customers" in the refurbished market fear moving into "unsafe territory" with second-hand software. So that you can optimally enjoy and exploit the advantages that used licenses offer you, here is our FAQ that we have worked out together with our specialist VENDOSOFT:

Is it legal to buy and sell used software?

Yes, both buying and selling used software is legal. It is important that this was first placed on the market in the EU or in the European Economic Area with the consent of the manufacturer (e.g. Microsoft) and - as soon as it is resold - is no longer used by the original buyer.
The Trading in used software licenses has been confirmed as legal by the Federal Court of Justice since July 2013. Our partner VENDOSOFT has created a detailed overview on the subject of legal certainty if you would like to read it: https://www.vendosoft.de/rechtliches/

With used software, do I get the same product as the original buyer?

Yes, second-hand software licenses are not a physical item that may show signs of use, but rather the right to use a software application.

Functionally, used licenses do not differ from new licenses.

Can I have any disadvantages when buying used software?
Since you get the same product as the first buyer, not - in fact, the opposite is usually the case: Because used software is significantly cheaper than new software, you also get a downgrade right for some applications and can therefore Install previous versions that better suit your business operations.

In general, however, we recommend, as we do, to rely on a trustworthy partner so that you are well advised and the purchase is both legal and manufacturer-compliant.

What are the advantages of buying used software for me?
The extreme price advantage compared to new licenses is obvious - even though you get the same product as the first buyer - because software does not wear out. Especially for SMEs, high-quality software can be implemented in this way and you can improve the quality of your internal company IT with high-quality products from well-known manufacturers.

Do I also receive updates and the right to maintenance for used software?
Yes, if you have purchased an update-entitled 2nd-hand software license, you can carry out updates from the respective manufacturer. When it comes to maintenance, the same applies to used as to new: All manufacturer services that are available for new goods are also available to you when using used licenses.

What scope of delivery do I receive when buying used software?
You will receive the data medium with the installation key and the license folder.

Does the software manufacturer have to agree to the purchase or use of the used license?
No, it is not necessary to obtain the manufacturer's consent when buying or selling used software. According to the Federal Court of Justice, the copyright of the software manufacturer is exhausted after the first sale of the software copies in the EU.
It is also not necessary to register with the manufacturer.

Where do the used licenses come from?
From companies, i.e. first-time buyers who have sold their used software because they no longer need it.

Where can used software licenses be sold?
Trade in used software licenses is only possible within the EU or the European Economic Area.

To ask? Feel free to contact us directly via the contact form or by email (shop@quattroM.com). Our partner VENDOSOFT has also created an extensive knowledge database for used software licenses, which you can find on their company website at Knowledge pane.

Sustainability – does that also apply to used software?

With refurbished servers, PCs, notebooks and even smartphones, you not only protect your wallet, but also our environment - that's clear. But what about used software? Is there an advantage here as well in terms of sustainability? And if so, which one?

Refurbished hardware is used equipment that is professionally refurbished. They go through several specific tests, reliable data erasure, and upgrades where necessary to make them more powerful and more attractive to the market. The longer the life cycle of such a product, the better its CO₂ balance. Resources are conserved and there is less e-waste.

This is exactly what applies to the software – almost even more so than to the hardware. On the one hand, there is less effort involved in "reprocessing" because it is not a physical good, but a digital right of use. Software is not subject to "wear and tear" and therefore does not have to be subjected to any function tests or visual assessments. This makes "2nd Hand Software" a top product for reuse - because the second buyer receives the same rights and content as the first buyer.

On the other hand, hardware and software go hand in hand. This means that the software is dependent on the hardware and vice versa. New software often also requires more powerful (newer) hardware, as was the case with the introduction of Windows 11, for example. Many users were very satisfied with their previous PC or notebook, but had to upgrade or exchange their hardware in order to be able to install the new operating system, as this made greater demands on the technology. This not only creates high costs for users, but also large amounts of electronic waste.

If used software is used, this usually also extends the useful life of the hardware, since the requirements for this are not yet that high. The life cycle of the devices is extended, less waste is produced, the CO₂ emissions that would occur with new production are lower: in short, we act more sustainably.

In addition, we often mistakenly believe that there are no emissions or resources required for things that we cannot see - this applies primarily to the production of digital products. But software development also produces large amounts of CO₂. The applications have to be programmed, tested and further developed - here, too, large corporations with countless employees are behind them. And these also consume electricity, water and work materials, employees have to drive to the company, the products have to be shipped - this not only costs energy, but also resources.

Even if there is already a counterpart to Green IT (called “Green Coding”) when it comes to software – as with hardware, the new production of software is the part that generates the most emissions. Therefore, companies should make sure to “conserve resources at all levels”.

Important for this is a clear awareness and a sustainable, careful use of raw materials and energy. Pollutant emissions must be minimized, transport routes shortened - the use of environmentally friendly materials also makes sense for packaging material. Hardware can be reused just like software and is by no means "old" after a year, but even after several years it is state-of-the-art.

If the individual requirements of a company for its internal IT are constantly growing and cannot be covered with refurbished devices, it is worth regularly selling the discarded hardware and software. This is how you increase your own IT budget and make inexpensive professional hardware available to small and medium-sized companies on the market.

The topic of "digital recycling" is also becoming more and more important in our world dominated by "Big Data". Because even the small help of an individual can make a significant contribution to environmental protection. It already helps if you regularly "clear out" your online data to use less storage space, use "sustainable" search engines (e.g. Ecosia or DuckDuckGo) and try to keep track of your footprint - just like in "real life". minimize online.