Addressing the initial question:
I have solved this on a few occasions by recommending shareware or freeware options where feasible, pointing out the immediate cost savings.
I prefer not paying for software. Now, this is not to be read as "I prefer to steal software" (which is illegal, duh), but read as "I prefer to find software solutions that are free and that solve my problem." (which is not illegal, but slightly more of a challenge since it can be hard to see the three or four good freeware/shareware editors out there when 9 gazillion copies of Microsoft Word are all clamoring for your attention and hanging unpleasantly on your pant legs like a teeny-bopper on ecstasy).
I have submitted budgets that include licensed copies for software. As long as I don't make a big stink out of it and do 'em gradually over a period of time, I've gotten everything signed off (I prefer free software and I prefer paying for the commercial software I use -- even shareware, dammit, 'cause these people need my money even
more than a huge corporation). Certain applications, of course, are freakin' expensive (such as enterprise level apps, etc.), but it is those exact ones that you have to Seriously Impress your Manager with regarding lawsuits and copyright infringement. Of course, those are harder to find broken, too...
There's almost always a "soft" solution to these things, at least from what I've found.
Cheers,
![[monkey] [monkey] [monkey]](/data/assets/smilies/monkey.gif)
Edward
"Cut a hole in the door. Hang a flap. Criminy, why didn't I think of this earlier?!" -- inventor of the cat door