What is Software Asset Management (SAM)?
Software Asset Management is the process of ensuring you receive maximum benefit from your
investment in software, and at the same time ensuring you are making informed decisions about
purchasing software, maintenance renewals and upgrade opportunities. For example, Gartner estimate
that 20% of software owned by companies in the UK is never used. At the same time, 27% of all software
used in UK corporates is illegal. This represents a real risk to organisations, but equally an
opportunity to ensure that money is not spent needlessly on unused software.
The 15 steps of SAM
Your introduction to PRISM
Ensign have developed a series of steps to ensure organisations achieve the maximum benefit from their
investment in software. These steps we have called PRISM (
PRocess for
Intelligent
Software
Management)
Inventory
Licence Procurement
Licence Models and entitlements
Software policies and enforcement
Version management
Escrow
Deployment
Training
Support
Maintenance
Upgrades
PC Moves
Disposal
Technology refresh
Strategic planning
How can SAM benefit my business?
The business proposition for SAM is clear. Software represents the most significant investment an organisation
will make on it's IT infrastructure. The benefits of managing this investment is outlined below.
» Save money
With SAM you use the licenses your company has already acquired and acquire only the software and licenses you need.
You’ll know exactly how many licenses you have for each software title, so instead of acquiring more you can re-deploy software from department to department.
SAM encourages a centralized licensing process so you can take advantage of volume license savings whenever possible.
» Improve business performance
Knowing what software you have, why you have it, and where it is will allow you to make informed strategic, tactical and operational decisions.
» Keep your data safe
SAM will help you ensure your data is secure and that you have a proper disaster recovery plan in place…just in case.
» Obtain piece of mind
You'll always know what software and licenses you have, and can ensure the use of genuine software.
With a SAM Software Use Policy you can reduce unapproved software downloads and potential viruses that can infect your whole network. By tracking all of your software assets you'll have detailed information for good back-up and recovery plans should the need arise. All of this contributes to an overall peace of mind.
» Optimise deployment
With SAM, company software needs such as upgrades and changes can be automatically identified, saving considerable time and reducing hassles for both the IT department and the employees who are using the software.
» Reduce support costs
Backup and recovery systems are easier to maintain when it's clear what software goes where. In addition, standardizing desktops where possible can dramatically reduce support costs.
» Increase staff productivity
By standardizing software versions, file-sharing issues are reduced and communication is easier. Users can work together seamlessly which can lead to increased productivity — and productive workers are happy workers.
» Improve employee satisfaction
Information provided by SAM can help managers and employees more easily justify licensing the software they need to do their jobs, which can improve productivity, ensure deadlines are met, and increase overall job satisfaction.
What industry support is there for SAM?
SAM is gaining momentum from key players in the industry. These include Microsoft, Oracle, Adobe, Gartner, Aberdeen Group and IDC.
How can Ensign help me if I already have an audit / desktop management / metering solution?
If you have an existing investment in a software auditing, metering or desktop management solution, you have already started on the road of Software Asset Management. But ask yourself why you haven't introduced the steps outlined above? Most organisation believe that installing an audit solution will effectively stop the mismanagement of licences, but at Ensign, we know that's not the case.
Effective Software Asset Management is about so much more than the purchase or installation of an auditing solution. SAM begins when you start to analyse the audit data as part of a concerted effort to understand the licencing requirements of the organisation.
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