What is Software Asset Management (SAM)?
Software Asset Management (SAM) is a business practice that involves managing and optimizing the purchase,deployment, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of software applications within an organization.
Do you know what software you have got?
Do you know if you have purchase more software licenses than you need or less than what you need?
Do you have a proper procedure for managing your software assets?
Essential Reasons - Why do we need SAM?
Nowadays, commercial software is indispensable to every organization. Thanks to software, your business is more efficient and your workers are more productive.
In order to get the most out of your software, you have to manage it well. Good Software Asset Management can reduce information technology (IT) costs and limit legal risk related to the ownership and use of software, while maximizing IT responsiveness and end-user productivity. Customers that implement SAM practices see many benefits, including:
Reduce software and support costs by negotiating volume contract agreements and eliminating or reallocating underutilized software licenses
Enforce compliance with corporate security policies and desktop standards
Minimize liabilities associated with software piracy in the event of an audit by a software vendor or a third party such as the Business Software Alliance (BSA)
Limit associated with managing and supporting software by streamlining or automating IT processes (such as inventory tracking, software deployment, issue tracking, and patch management)
Improve user productivity, simplified IT management, and faster help desk processes through standardization of applications and platforms
How to Prevent Your Business from Operating Without a License?
Never put your business at risk!
Businesses if found responsible for software piracy, risk criminal and civil penalties, the law enables the copyright owners to stop you and your company from using its software immediately and to obtain enormous monetary damages.
Proper software management takes time and effort, employer and all employees should contribute to prevent software piracy. Here are the tips to ensure the legal use of software in your organization:
As a Computer User:
Do not download unauthorized copies of software from the Internet without proper use licensing and without advising management
Do not install work programs on home computers
Do not surf for recreational purpose during working hours as it will accidentally download software that they are not authorized to
As an IT Manager:
Identify the appropriate software profile for each computer user and ensure that only authorized license files are installed within the organization
Keep accurate and current records of the computer ID for each installation of software and log users permitted access
Set realistic budgets for software procurement and buy only from reputable, authorized sellers
Ensure that legal software cannot be downloaded from the Internet by employees without special approval
Enforce compliance by periodic audits and take appropriate steps if unauthorized copies are found
As a Company Owner:
Communicate your organization's commitment to the use of licensed legitimate software
Adopt strong security policies and use trained security professionals
Take steps to educate employees on what constitutes illegal use of software
Implement SAM to protect your software investment and prevent the risks of illegal software use
Kenfil – Trusted SAM Service Provider
What Kenfil can help on the way to master SAM?
By dint of abounding experience in SAM project management, Kenfil is apt at catering for the needs of different customers in different aspects. Being a trusted SAM service provider, Kenfil has:
Held joint SAM Seminar with Microsoft and Hong Kong Productivity Council to share the importance of SAM and how can company get started
Conducted and established good SAM services for various enterprises
We are proficient in providing full-spectrum services on the way to Software Asset Management, which cover the following aspects:
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Conduct an on-site introduction of the SAM practice | √ | √ | √ |
Recommend and select the Software Auditing Tools for customer | √ | √ | √ |
Assist the customer to build a Software Asset List |
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Advise the customer to establish effective SAM Policies and Procedures |
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Onsite review and verify all license entitlement information data, discovery tools and systems using Microsoft technology |
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Consolidate software inventory reports and finalized SAM Assessment report |
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Reconciliation analysis between license entitlements and deployment data |
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Conduct an executive presentation which provides a high-level overview of the engagement and findings with an emphasis on the risks and benefits of current and future state to initiate improvements to SAM |
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