Auto Manufacturer Saves $150k and Boosts Security Posture with Software Removal Program
Company Profile
This multinational automotive manufacturer is one of the world’s largest organizations, designing, engineering, and producing its products on a global scale. Like many enterprises of its size, operating across multiple teams and regions, it has accumulated a diverse software portfolio from various publishers, each managed through different processes.
In 2022, the organization engaged Anglepoint to enhance its software Configuration Management Database (CMDB) through ServiceNow and to analyze its top software titles, identifying both active and obsolete applications. Outdated software posed a potential security risk and required removal. Anglepoint developed a comprehensive Software Asset Management (SAM) strategy to uninstall obsolete applications, strengthening the organization’s software compliance and reducing its attack surface.
This initiative significantly improved the organization’s security posture and SAM capabilities, resulting in cost savings of $150,000. The organization established a single source of truth by optimizing its software CMDB through the more effective use of ServiceNow technology, enabling more consistent and proactive software management.
The Challenge
This organization has a vast portfolio of software but lacked a standardized process for its governance. As a result, the organization’s software CMDB contained numerous unused applications and suffered from version control inconsistencies. Leadership was particularly concerned about the presence of outdated, obsolete, and end-of-life software installations within the IT environment and how this was exposing the organization to potential security vulnerabilities.
In 2022, the organization engaged Anglepoint to develop a sustainable SAM program, improve asset data and implement sustainable processes that would improve the usage of those IT assets within the company. As part of this initiative, Anglepoint was tasked with analyzing the software CMDB, focusing on the organization’s major software publishers, to identify and remove unnecessary installations. This effort aimed to reduce costs associated with unused or outdated software while simultaneously mitigating security risks.
The Solution
Anglepoint had an existing understanding of the organization’s software assets but needed to structure the data at a more granular level to provide the insights required. To achieve this, the Anglepoint team leveraged SAM technology, using the client’s ServiceNow tool to optimize the organization’s CMDB and distinguish between active and obsolete software versions.
To initiate this process, Anglepoint identified the organization’s top software titles and conducted a comprehensive Software Installation Analysis. This analysis provided visibility into all software installations for Adobe, Quest, Red Hat, and Oracle products. By utilizing the ServiceNow Software Catalog, Anglepoint’s analysts determined which versions were outdated and potentially vulnerable. The identified versions were then cross-checked with key stakeholders within the organization to determine if any of these versions had a valid reason to be in the environment due to application compatibility or licensing constraints.
Through meticulous analysis and multiple follow-ups, Anglepoint identified an initial list of over 2,200 installations for removal. Many of these installations were outdated, unpatched, and remained on servers or laptops with network access — posing a significant security risk.
Across key software products, including Adobe Acrobat, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Toad for SQL Server, and Oracle Java, Anglepoint developed a structured removal plan to reduce software version fragmentation and minimize security risks. Additionally, this initiative helped mitigate unnecessary software licensing costs—for example, older versions of Red Hat Enterprise Linux require an additional Extended Support Subscription fee.
To maintain long-term compliance and security, Anglepoint implemented a recurring ServiceNow report that tracks the organization’s primary software titles. This report provides visibility into end-of-life software ensuring that proper decommissioning processes are followed. This proactive approach enhances overall software compliance by ensuring continued adherence to licensing terms and conditions.
By closely collaborating with the organization’s SAM team, Anglepoint successfully removed the majority of outdated software installations, eliminating $150,000 in obsolete licensing costs while significantly reducing potential security risks.
Results
Cost-efficiency: By removing old and unused versions of licenses, this organization was able to make $150k in cost savings.
Reduced security threats: Eliminating obsolete, unpatched software and standardizing software versions have significantly reduced the organization’s security risk.
Access to a single source of truth: By leveraging ServiceNow technology effectively, Anglepoint has enhanced the organization’s software CMDB, providing greater software asset visibility. This improvement resulted in faster issue resolution, reduced security risks, and more efficient IT operations.
Proactive approach to IT Asset Management (ITAM): Regular reporting ensures the organization remains compliant and enables proactive management and consistent maintenance of all software titles.
OUTCOME: $150k in cost savings
By working closely with the organization’s Software Asset Management (SAM) team, Anglepoint successfully removed outdated software installations, eliminating $150,000 in obsolete licensing costs, while significantly reducing potential security risks.