What is Software Asset Management?

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Software Asset Management (SAM) is a crucial business practice that involves managing, controlling, optimizing, and maintaining software assets within an organization. The purpose of SAM is to efficiently oversee software acquisition, deployment, utilization, and maintenance, with the aim of driving cost savings, compliance, and improved decision-making.
SAM encompasses several key aspects, 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.
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 relevant data points are considered, leading to a mature and sustainable SAM program.
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.