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Manage Software Assets Efficiently
If asset management was fun, everyone would be doing it. Just do it.
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Your Challenge
- All enterprises need to manage their hardware and software assets to ensure license compliance and manage the fleet, but it’s never a priority.
- Staying up-to-date with software license fees and ensuring hardware infrastructure is up to the task are asset management drivers, as well as the threat of a software audit for suspected license shortage.
- This solution set will provide guidance on how best to manage your hardware and software inventory process, plus helpful tools and practical advice on conducting an audit.
Our Advice
Critical Insight- If you can’t do asset management well, outsource it.
- For those that choose to do their own asset management, automation is an absolute must, but doesn’t absolve IT from all responsibility.
- Asset management is a process, not an event, unlike taking an inventory.
- IT leaders do the minimum because the probability of getting caught under-licensed is low, and the price for over-licensing may only be paying for licenses they don’t use vs. the cost of keeping their inventory current.
- Ensure your hardware inventory is up to the challenge of operating system and software upgrade before it impacts your rollout plans.
- Avoid over-spending on software licenses or running the risk of a painful software audit.
- Target alternate licensing methods based on usage.
- Ensure assets are properly disposed.
Get to Action
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Effectively manage software assets.
Save money and create efficiencies.
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Calculate the return on investment of SAM.
Create a business case for implementing or improving SAM.
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Assess the maturity of your SAM practice.
Perform a gap analysis, and plan for improvement.
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Implement a corporate SAM policy.
Document governance policies.
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Implement an end-user intellectual use policy.
Communicate and enforce policies regarding software, movies, music, etc.
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Document SAM processes.
Assist with integration of SAM into existing processes.
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Create an inventory of software licenses.
Document software licenses for comparison to installed inventory (typically used for small companies or in mergers/acquisitions).
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Hire a full-time resource to manage IT assets.
Optimize and streamline IT asset management.
Related Solution Sets
Cut Through Microsoft Licensing Complexity to Negotiate a Better Deal
Price is not the only way to save money on Microsoft licensing. Optimize your MS licensing agreement, and fit the agreement to the enterprise.
Develop a Comprehensive Hardware Asset Management Strategy
Implement HAM to improve on Green IT and SAM.
Vendor Landscape Plus: Automated IT Asset Management Solutions
You can manage IT assets the hard way or the easy way. The right ITAM solution will help you find the easy way.
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See how all the steps you need to take come together, with tools and advice to help with each task on your list.
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Download NowCompanies Who Helped
4 organizations contributed information to assist with the development of this solution set. Due to the sensitivity of the information, all contributors requested confidentiality.
Solution Road Map
Price is not the only way to save money on Microsoft licensing. Optimize your MS licensing agreement, and fit the agreement to the enterprise.
If asset management was fun, everyone would be doing it. Just do it.
Implement HAM to improve on Green IT and SAM.
You can manage IT assets the hard way or the easy way. The right ITAM solution will help you find the easy way.
Automated tools mean you won’t have to manage your Assets off!
