SWMA
Software Maintenance, IBM's annual support and upgrade-entitlement fee for perpetually licensed IBM i software.
SWMA is billed annually as a percentage-based add-on to a perpetual license and entitles the customer to technical support, PTFs, and release upgrades. Letting SWMA lapse and later reinstating it triggers the After License Fee (ALF), which runs roughly 2 to 3 times the annual SWMA rate -- meaning a lapse rarely saves money once reinstatement is factored in.
Related Terms
ALF
After License Fee, the reinstatement penalty IBM charges when a lapsed SWMA contract is brought current again.
Perpetual License
A software license purchased once (as an OTC) that does not expire, paired with optional annual SWMA for support and upgrades.
OTC
One-Time Charge, the upfront purchase price of a perpetual software license before any annual SWMA is added.