In today’s digital world, companies rely heavily on software applications to conduct business operations efficiently. However, with the increased use of software comes an increased need for effective software asset management (SAM). SAM is a process within a more comprehensive IT asset management service that involves managing the acquisition, implementation, use, and maintenance of an enterprise’s software.
Effective software asset management is essential for businesses to stay compliant, reduce costs, and optimize the use of their software assets. In this article, we will discuss 7 characteristics of effective software asset management.
Teamwork
The most important thing about SAM is this: it’s a team job. While it can, and often does, start as a whole, businesses quickly realize the need to create a dedicated SAM team for effective governance. As a software asset manager, it is important to have a team of experts experienced in managing license updates and security protocols.
Ideally, a SAM team would include a SAM Analyst, SAM Consultant, Software Asset Administrator, Software Asset Manager, and SAM Director. Teams can be organized according to the specific requirements of the business. Software asset management is much like crowdsourced testing in that it combines human skills with automated problem-solving techniques.
Collaboration
Because software acquisition and deployment occurs across an enterprise’s IT, legal, finance, and other departments, encouraging collaboration across verticals is important to successful software asset management. So need to encourage verbal and non-verbal communication between the team and define the SAM goals for the enterprise so that everyone is on the same page.
Inventory Management
To do an inventory check, find out what software is currently in inventory. Software asset managers can use the probing capabilities of SAM tools to find all existing licensed and open-source software on the system, including copies that may have been created. SAM tools should be able to browse devices, cloud platforms, and Google Search AMP to find every installed software. After having a complete inventory, divide the software into the following 3 parts:
- High priority—software with high compliance risks and the greatest impact on business;
- Low priority—mainly open-source software that has the least impact on the technology cost of the enterprise;
- Blacklisted – Mainly includes malware.
Once you have identified and categorized your software assets, you can plan how to optimize their use and reduce costs.
Software Asset Management Tool Selection
As a software asset manager, it is imperative to conduct research to determine the right SAM tool for the company and help the team improve the performance of the software or application. Therefore, before choosing, it is necessary to measure the efficacy of the selected tool according to the following points.
License Management
Measures the effectiveness of the tool’s license management capabilities. A good SAM tool should be able to review license entitlements, and it can determine where the company is over-licensing, resulting in excessive spending. Conversely, insufficient licensing presents a compliance risk.
Software Discovery
Sophisticated SAM tools should have software discovery capabilities that track all software installed on the system, which helps identify any duplicate versions and take inventory.
Flexibility
No matter how complex the tool is, ultimately it must be compatible with the existing software structure of the enterprise. The flexibility of a SAM tool is also important and can be tailored to specific business needs.
Scalability
The tool should be scalable and able to support it as the business grows.
Security Features
A sophisticated SAM tool can track and limit software installations on enterprise systems, which reduces the risk of data fraud. Data associated with software assets is often confidential and protected by strict security measures. Providing open access to all users is not recommended here. A good SAM tool should allow the enterprise to grant access to selected users. This feature can ensure that the sensitive information is kept safe.
Providing open access to all users is not recommended here. A good SAM tool should allow the enterprise to grant access to selected users. This feature can also be used to monitor how software is used and can identify potential compliance risks.
Reporting
A good SAM tool should be able to provide reports that summarize key software asset information in a clear and concise manner. This can help businesses make informed decisions about how to optimize software use, reduce costs, and ensure compliance.
Integration
A good SAM tool should be able to integrate with other enterprise systems such as procurement or HR, to provide a more comprehensive overview of the software assets across the organization.
Cloud Management
A sophisticated SAM tool should also be able to manage cloud-based software assets, including those that are on-premises or in hybrid environments. As more businesses move to the cloud, the ability to manage software assets across multiple cloud environments will become increasingly important.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, effective software asset management is critical for any business that wants to optimize its software use, reduce costs, and ensure compliance. A dedicated SAM team, collaboration across departments, and the right SAM tool are all key components of effective software asset management.
By following the 7 characteristics outlined in this article, businesses can ensure that their software assets are being used effectively and in compliance with licensing agreements. With a comprehensive SAM program in place, businesses can achieve significant cost savings and reduce the risk of software licensing audits.
So, if you’re looking to improve your organization’s software asset management, be sure to take the time to research and find the right SAM tool that meets your business’s specific needs. With the right SAM tool and a dedicated SAM team, your organization can ensure that your software assets are being used effectively and efficiently, saving you time and money in the long run.
