How a Transport Co. Optimized Their Micro Focus Software Renewal Process
Company Profile
Micro Focus Renewal | EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In December 2022, this Canadian client chose Anglepoint’s Managed Service, driven by Anglepoint’s position in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SAM Managed Services . The engagement focused on implementing ServiceNow SAM Professional & Discovery and conducting a SAM Maturity Workshop. During this period, Anglepoint provided Effective License Positions (ELPs) and Risk and Opportunity Assessment Reports (ROARs) for 6 Tier 1 publishers and 12 Tier 2 publishers.
However, the client faced challenges due to limited internal licensing expertise, especially with Micro Focus. Initially, they relied on Micro Focus to inform them if they were over-deployed. This reliance led them to require additional licenses. Anglepoint identified this as a potential risk during their ELP work. With Anglepoint’s guidance, the client revised their approach. They ultimately avoided over $400K in unnecessary license purchases.
The Challenge
Anglepoint delivered an Effective License Position (ELP) and Risk and Opportunity Assessment Report (ROAR) for Micro Focus, a Tier 1 software publisher. During this process, it became evident that the client lacked an internal licensing specialist or application owner who understood Micro Focus software licensing.
As a result, they had to rely on the vendor to inform them if they were over-deployed. This dependency meant that Micro Focus would email the client, requesting the purchase of additional software licenses. The approach made the purchasing reactive and based on remediation rather than forecasted use, leading to suboptimal license management and IT spend.
Consequently, they had to rely on the vendor to inform them if they were over-deployed. Micro Focus would email the client, requesting additional software licenses. This approach made the purchasing reactive and based on remediation rather than forecasted use, leading to suboptimal license management and IT spend.
Furthermore, the client lacked a formal software license renewal process using data from the ITAM team. Stakeholders were unaware of this issue and its impact on proactive renewals.
During the review, Anglepoint identified that the Micro Focus product, Operations Bridge, was over-deployed. The client noted that these instances were on decommissioned servers and expected usage to decrease. Despite this, Micro Focus sent a renewal email requesting additional licenses.
The client needed to understand the nuances of this publisher’s licensing and their typical conduct to communicate effectively. With a tight renewal deadline, the client sought Anglepoint’s help to access accurate data for cost optimizations and savings.
By working with Anglepoint, the client discovered software on decommissioned servers and duplicate installs on the data extract and console. Anglepoint helped the client clean up and report accurate numbers to Micro Focus.
Solution
Over nine months, Anglepoint’s Specialty Licensing and Client Success Management (CSM) Teams worked closely with the client’s ITAM and Infrastructure teams. They helped upload entitlements into ServiceNow SAM Pro, enabling access to accurate and actionable ITAM data. Since SAM Pro cannot natively discover these products, the client needed guidance on product licensing.
Anglepoint provided recommendations based on usage trends, which showed a yearly increase. They advised the client to forecast future software usage for better budgeting. Anglepoint also provided questions for the client to ask Micro Focus, clarifying the need for additional licenses.
Finally, Anglepoint offered recommendations to help the client implement a solid renewal process. This process would improve spending control and optimize license management.
RESULTS
Anglepoint’s expert guidance enabled the client to be fully prepared for the call with Micro Focus to discuss over-deployment. Equipped with accurate data and insights from usage graphs, the client handled the conversation effectively.
With the support and expertise provided by Anglepoint, the client successfully avoided the need to purchase additional licenses, resulting in cost avoidance of $40K. Additionally, the client’s licensing team gained a deeper understanding of the vendor’s practices.
The client’s executive sponsor added developing a renewal process to their ITAM roadmap. With access to accurate data and a robust renewal process, they are advancing into a more mature ITAM program.
Anglepoint continues to support them on this journey through a SAM Managed Service.
The client needed to understand the nuances of this vendor’s licensing and their standard way of conduct to enable them to communicate with them effectively and ensure a positive relationship and the best contractual agreements moving forward.
Optimizing Software Renewals
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