Software Asset Management

What is Software Asset Management?

Software Asset Management (SAM) is a set of business processes designed to help organizations manage and control their software assets throughout the entire lifecycle. A thorough SAM program can protect your organization from potentially lengthy software audits and help you recognize what you own, where it is installed, and identify licensing gaps/overlaps. With a detailed SAM program in place, Executive Officers have a clear understanding of how much is being spent on software/hardware expenditures, eliminating unnecessary costs and maximizing your organization’s IT budget. If your organization doesn’t have a standard process in place to track your software licenses, we can help.

The Value of Software Asset Management

Cost Control - Efficiently utilize your software budget and prepare for future software purchases.
IT Control - A thorough SAM program will allow your organization to accurately define software “needs” versus “wants.” Often times, organizations spend money for software licenses they only use a fraction of or do not use at all.
Security - With SAM, you will receive a set of policies and procedures designed specifically for your organization with the ultimate goal being to safeguard what software is installed on your devices. Without SAM, your management team does not know what software individuals are installing or downloading in the organization. You cannot secure what you cannot see.

SAM Service Offerings

License Advisory Services

Policy & Procedure - Many organizations are unaware of the policies and procedures that are critical to a solid SAM program. PLA has the experience and skills to perform the Analysis, Development and Implementation of Software Asset Management policies and procedures.
Contract Renewal/Negotiations – Many vendor license agreements have renew periods. These renew periods are critical for organizations to properly renew in a timely fashion in order to receive the maximum return on investment.
Mergers and Acquisition – Today’s business requires the competitive edge. For some organizations this is accomplished through mergers and acquisition. By knowing the companies intangible software assets or liabilities is a key factor in evaluating true asset worth. Another key factor is to properly transfer intangible software assets as part of the Mergers and Acquisition process.
SAM Consultation - Many IT departments prioritize their time by meeting the needs and requirements of their organization’s business units. In meeting that goal, software asset management practices become secondary. It is extremely important for organizations to know their license compliancy position in order to effectively procure software assets and renew vendor contracts.

SAM Consultation consists of:

License Compliancy Table (comparison of installed software to purchased software licenses)
Analysis of procurement trends
Understand the finer points of your volume license agreements
Policy & Procedure Analysis
Finding and Recommendations Deliverables Report

Software Asset Management Outsourcing

PLA provides SAM outsourcing services allowing organizations IT departments to focus on IT solutions.

Audit Response Assistance

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) or other organization may request purchase and installation records from your organization. Most companies are not prepared when such a request is made. PLA has the experience and skills to assist your organization by providing the guidance, obtaining purchase records, acquiring software and hardware inventories, and preparing audit reports.

Automated SAM Solutions

What is an automated SAM solution? An automated SAM solution is the integration of technology, processes and policies that effectively manage software and hardware assets, reduce cost, recycle software license, and free-up IT resources.

PLA also has the expertise in providing automated Desktop Management Solutions and Software Asset Solutions including:

Standard Desktop Imaging design and implementation
Automated Application Deployment tools
Automated license compliancy monitoring tools
Automated licensing metering and usage tools
Automated licensing auditing tools
Policy and Procedure Analysis, Development and Implementation

SAM Case Studies

Compassion Interational - SAM Consultation Gives a Not-for-profit Insight into and Validation of Software Assets

Ohio Auto Club Uses SAM to Gain Licencing Compliance and Justify New IT Position

SAM WhitePaper
Maintaining Your Software Asset Management Processes through Technology

For more information regarding any of these solutions, please contact Mike Aidinovich.