The process and benefits

Process
The overall SAM process essentially falls into four distinct stages:
1. Preparation (Workshop)
2. Getting there (Review)
3. Staying there (Implementation)
4. Proving that you are staying there (Health check)

Benefits
Through simple changes one can collect great benefits. For example; through widespread use of volume licensing agreements, standardization of software and centralized procurement and deployment, organizations ensure they buy only what is needed and get the best possible price.

An effective SAM plan give the IT department knowledge to manage what software and hardware is in use on the network, making it easier to identify needed changes. It also makes it easier to maintain a protected and secure the operational environment.
Standardization also reduces the need for (and thus the cost) training, support and reduces incompatibility between applications.

Why are software assets different?

Software Asset is just one type of assets that IT departments deal with on a daily basis. Many IT managers see Software Assets as intangible and therefore unmanageable. This is not entirely true however, Software Assets differ from other assets in that;
1. Software is more than a CD an may often include several of the following;
a. Master CD
b. Back-up copy
c. Certificate of Authenticity
d. Terms and conditions or End User License Agreement (EULA)
e. Software release documents
f. Proof of license
g. Software may be delivered with hardware as OEM/preinstalled software which also may include hardware support documents and agreements.
2. Come with a set of extremely complex legal conditions
3. Software Assets often include a tri-partite agreement between you the end user, the reseller of the software and the manufacturer.

You cannot manage what you do not understand. You must understand and control all these variables in order to ensure good SAM. Knowing what software is installed or in use, and what your software license entitlement is (or what your user rights are) are the key elements to any definition or standard.

Software Asset Management is an on-going process

Gartner research has determined that for any asset management program to be effective it needs to manage the
1. Physical environment - such as usage monitoring, license tracking, deployment control
2. Contractual environment such - such as contract negotiation, license compliance, supplier maintenance, and service level management
3. Financial environment - such as budgets, procurements, cost control and operational efficiencies

Most businesses are dynamic in nature and thus it changes over time. And so should your SAM policies.
It can add real value to your business, but to do so it needs to be made a permanent part of your business strategy and kept under constant review.

By using key elements from both ITIL and ISO 19770-1, MAP License have helped numerous large public and privately held enterprises throughout Europe in facilitating good Software Asset Management. With our methodology and routines you can get back in control and reduce total cost of ownership of your software assets.