Efficient software asset management: more than just a tool

29. August 2023/Marc Schniedermeier

Introducing a software asset management (SAM) tool sounds tempting – as if it could solve all our problems in one fell swoop. But the reality is somewhat different: Even the most powerful SAM tool can only be as good as the data on which it is based. License information often requires manual maintenance, while inventory data is usually captured automatically.

Nowadays, we can choose from a wide range of SAM tools. If your company has decided to use one of them, this is a step in the right direction. But beware: without careful support and regular monitoring of the SAM tool, it will quickly lose its effectiveness and provide only limited useful information. Ultimately, a SAM tool can only work with the data that is made available to it.

A SAM tool usually operates based on two different strands of information. On the one hand, there is the inventory data, which is often collected automatically with the help of agents. These agents scan the devices on which they are installed at regular intervals and send the data to a central server for management. This is where the first challenges arise: Your IT infrastructure can only be comprehensively represented if an agent is installed on all relevant devices. It is therefore important to ensure that all devices are equipped with such an agent and that future devices receive an agent right from the start.

The second information strand of a SAM tool concerns license information, i.e., an overview of the licenses your company has purchased. While inventory data is recorded automatically, this area requires additional manual work. The process of entering licenses and contracts into a SAM tool can only be automated to a limited extent. To obtain accurate and up-to-date license compliance information, important details about each license must be recorded completely and correctly. This includes not only the number and type of licenses purchased, but also the associated license metrics and any contract or maintenance periods. Cost information should also be entered to effectively monitor and plan the software license budget.

Only when all this information is available can the license requirements be automatically reconciled with the existing licenses. Compliance evaluations at the touch of a button are only possible under these conditions.

A SAM tool is therefore like a plant in the garden. It needs care and attention. You must continuously ensure that the data is fresh and up to date. Only then will you be able to reap the rewards of your work. With a well-maintained SAM tool, you always have an overview of your IT world and know exactly what your company needs.

If you’re wondering how to get the most out of your SAM tool or need support with implementation, don’t hesitate to contact us! At SAMtoa, we are here to help you ensure that your SAM tool runs smoothly and that you get the maximum value from it. Together we can transform the complex data in your tool into a clear and efficient solution.

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Marc Schniedermeier
Licensing expert of SAMtoa GmbH

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Licenses, SAM-Tools, Software

Efficient software asset management: more than just a tool

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