Software Asset Management and License Management

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Software Asset Management has been defined as a set of best practices, processes and procedures for effectively managing your software asset investments.

Implementing SAM helps an Enterprise not only identify what software assets it has, but also derive greater operational efficiencies and cost savings (through eliminating unused software, consolidating software licenses and reducing license compliance risks).

There are drawbacks to not having a SAM strategy:

  • Lack of transparency over what software assets are owned and if/how they are being used
  • Poor negotiating leverage with vendors – pervasive over purchasing and over deployment of software
  • Vulnerability to audits and associated penalties
  • Ineffective change and control management (‘You cannot control what you cannot discover and measure’)

As the companies that have fully installed and implemented have discovered, there are multiple benefits to having a SAM strategy. An effective Software Asset Management solution ensures proactive and continuous management of the IT environment, resulting in:

  • Accurate inventory results
  • Greater operational efficiencies
  • Cost savings from eliminating unused software and reducing licenses for under-utilized software
  • Reducing license compliance risks and audit vulnerabilities
  • Improved negotiation position with vendors
  • More effective change and control management with greater efficiencies

A key to SAM is effective License Management, providing greater operational efficiencies and cost savings (through eliminating unused software, consolidating software licenses and reducing license compliance risks).