Software Asset Management Essentials: SAM Simplified
Software Asset Management (SAM) is a business practice that helps companies monitor and manage their software & Cloud estates efficiently. It is the function that should ensure compliance with licensing agreements, minimize risks associated with software misuse, and optimize IT spend by ensuring that only the software and cloud assets needed are purchased and deployed.
Software Asset Management (SAM) is a crucial business practice that involves managing, controlling, optimizing, and maintaining software assets within an organization. A software asset refers to any software that is owned or licensed by an individual or organization and has financial value. The purpose of SAM is to oversee software acquisition, deployment, utilization, and maintenance, as well as to drive cost optimization, compliance, and improved decision-making.
SAM encompasses several key areas including software entitlement, discovery and inventory, license management, and the software asset lifecycle. It goes beyond mere license tracking and inventory management, requiring a comprehensive understanding of how software is used, its business relevance, and its impact on overall operations.
Most large organizations will have a SAM team that works closely with IT, but SAM is not limited to the IT department; it involves collaboration among various departments, such as IT, finance, procurement, and product management. This cross-functional approach ensures that all relevant data points are considered, leading to a mature and sustainable SAM program that provides the intelligence on which business-critical decisions are made.
Contrary to common misconceptions, SAM is not a one-time effort, nor is it solely about saving money. While cost optimization is important, SAM also contributes to enhanced security practices, better governance, and risk mitigation. It does not merely rely on tools; even with advanced software, a broken process and poor data quality will lead to ineffective outcomes.
SAM involves proactive monitoring of software inventory, ensuring compliance with licensing agreements, reducing unnecessary software usage, and minimizing risks associated with improper software utilization. By centralizing information about software assets, SAM enables informed decision-making that drives efficiency, cost savings, and streamlined IT operations.
The benefits of SAM include a proactive approach to license compliance and risk mitigation, cost optimization, improved IT efficiency, enhanced security and data protection, and better overall governance and strategic decision-making. SAM goes beyond tracking licenses and installations; it involves understanding software usage patterns and aligning software deployments with business needs.
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If you are new to your role in SAM, you may be interested in our SAM 101 lightening course
Why is Software Asset Management Important?
Building and maintaining an effective SAM program offers a myriad of benefits to your organization but there are several key reasons why software asset management is so important:
IT Spend Management
Organizations with a revenue of $1 billion and up will spend an average of 2-3% of this revenue on IT, and an average of 30% of their IT budget is wasted on software and cloud.
Effective Software Asset Management delivers cost optimization, cost avoidance and cost savings and prevents wasted spending. For that reason, wise stewardship of software investments and careful procurement are essential to drive business value and ensure financial efficiency.
Software License Compliance and Risk Mitigation
License compliance and risk mitigation are also very important and emerge as intertwined objectives. Since software usage is bound by licensing agreements, a well-structured SAM program ensures legal and financial adherence to contractual terms, thereby minimizing potential risks and liabilities.
Enhanced IT Resource Management
Enhanced IT resource management and productivity are cited as key drivers. A sustainable SAM program facilitates optimal resource allocation, ensuring individuals engage in value-added tasks rather than mundane operations. Productivity is further bolstered by enabling seamless access to required software, aligning with organizational goals.
Strategic Organizational Alignment
The alignment of SAM initiatives with overarching organizational strategies prioritizes projects and ensures that the SAM program contributes to the broader vision. Moreover, software asset management plays a pivotal role in enhancing security and data protection by identifying vulnerable or unsupported software and mitigating risks associated with legacy applications.
The Dynamic Nature of Software Asset Management
The placement of SAM within an organization is broad in the asset management landscape. There are interconnected domains of Technology Asset Management, IT Service Management, Hardware Asset Management, and Software Asset Management. Within the SAM realm, the critical roles of Software License Management and compliance are emphasized, underscoring the necessity of measuring owned software against actual usage.
If you would like to speak to one of our experts about your organization’s unique SAM requirements, please get in touch.