Software Asset Management - An Essential Business Practice

Software Asset Management or SAM has become an important IT business strategy for organizations to effectively oversee their software assets. This practice helps in the overall management and optimization of the purchase, deployment, utilization, maintenance and disposal of software applications. SAM is implemented to serve different functions based on the IT infrastructure, resources and business goals of organizations. The fundamental goals of SAM are to control the software assets, limit legal and business risks and utilize the available infrastructure in a better way. 

Software Asset Management processes are supported by certain technologies to optimize the entire lifecycle of the software assets. Following are the technologies that must be incorporated as a part of SAM:

• Software Inventory applications to organize software file information and help organizations to comply by the licensing agreements
• Software metering tools that monitor software utilization
• Application control to restrict usage of software assets and avoid security risks
• Software deployment tools for regulating the installation and licensing process of new software applications
• Patch management applications which automate software deployment and ensure that systems meet the required security standards

So, in order to practice Software Asset Management and reap its benefits, it is essential for organizations to implement such technologies as a part of a broader IT asset management protocol. In this respect, Lepide Software Asset Management offers enterprise level solutions. Here’s a look at how it helps organizations in protecting their software investments and recognizing the true potential of the available software assets:

• Minimizes software licensing costs: This aspect covers all the licensing procedures required while purchasing a software application including tracking of license rights, organizing the licenses and renewing them
• Reduces business and legal risks: SAM implementations helps in meeting the requirements of regulatory bodies and complying with the vendor license agreements
• Condenses unauthorized software usage: SAM enforces a software usage policy in organizations to maintain authority and authenticity over the software applications which are in use
• Reduces help desk costs: since an accurate software inventory is maintained, resources and time spend on obtaining system configuration for troubleshooting purpose is drastically reduced
• Increase in negotiation capabilities: Organizations are in a better position to negotiate and control the dealing with their software vendors and affiliates by implementing SAM

Therefore, Software Asset Management, if implemented properly facilitates management, protection and control over the software assets within an organization. For further more information, Please click here http://www.lepide.com/asset-management.html