Client Access License

What Does Client Access License Mean?

A client access license (CAL) is a type of license binding the licensee to a set of user terms limiting how the organization’s services are used. This is typically done using software accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and a several digit license key. The end user is required to verify their CAL by transposing the license key numbers into a designated field prior to downloading the software.

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Techopedia Explains Client Access License

Microsoft is just one company using CALs to ensure proper usage of its systems and applications. Whether or not multiple CALs will be necessitated, or single CALs are used, is primarily based on whether a product is being used for personal or business use. For business use, CALs may be assigned to more than one person, but multiple users may not use the software simultaneously. Larger organizations generally benefit from device CALs, which may be applied to all devices or computers connected to a shared server.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…