MYOB users balk at Mamut migration terms
Norwegian business software house Mamut has been experiencing a customer backlash as a result of its deal to acquire MYOB's UK bookkeeping user base in 2008. John Stokdyk investigates.
When MYOB took the strategic decision to withdraw from the UK market in May 2008, it sold its tax and practice business to CCH, but was left with a significant group of UK customers who used its MYOB Accounting and BusinessBasics bookkeeping applications.
Continued...
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Breach of contract?
One of the main issues here is MYOB’s Australian HQ’s decision to stop their data file ‘reconfirmation’ process during the last quarter of 2011. This means MYOB data files will switch to a perpetual read-only mode 14 days after the first post-cessation reconfirmation is required. Without going into detail, file reconfirmation is a periodic telephone or web based process in which a new number is allocated to the data file. It was introduced several years ago to prevent illegal copying of the program; it is free and not subject to any requirement to have a support contract.
Despite the lack of official support and upgrades many users could have continued to use the product for years if it were not for the reconfirmation issue.
The MYOB licence agreement refers to the licence as being paid-up i.e. no further amounts payable during its use. Further amounts are payable under Mamut’s arrangements. Secondly, there is no provision in the licence for termination by ending the reconfirmation process.
As ever I stand to be corrected by right now I can see an argument for breach of contract.
Mamut behaving unethically
We were all told when Mamut took over MYOB that despite the fact that they were not going to bring out any new upgrades users could use the software they were on forever.
We were told this as consultants to tell our customers as were our customers told by Mamut.
We as consultants also received emails regarding this so we could control any panic.
Please see below an exert from an email we received two months after Mamut taking over.
As consultants we feel that we have not only been deceived by Mamut but that it has put us in a really difficult situation with our customers.
Question
What sort of timescale can you indicate for providing Mac support for the existing products?
Answer
At least until 2011 and even longer if that’s what you want.
Question
Will the software continue to run as now, even if it is never upgraded
(i.e. continuity of the file confirmation process)?
Answer
The software and the terms of the agreement mean that the software is yours and shall continue to run as it does now. The file activation and confirmation process will continue as normal. Even if you are on Version 5 your software shall continue to run as normal.