Blogs
What is Software Asset Management?
October 27, 2021
March 8, 2023
Fast-paced enterprises rely on multiple layers of software for everything from core business functions to ordering replacement technology.
Software usage is so prevalent in modern organizations, it is considered a necessary asset that requires tracking, managing and updating for optimal performance.
Functioning as a subset of IT Asset Management (ITAM), Software Asset Management or SAM specifically covers the software world. On the other side, HAM, or Hardware Asset Management deals with physical machines.
As a whole, IT asset management has become more than just managing resources. SAM has distinctly become a part of business strategy, aimed at minimizing financial loss, optimizing investments, managing risk and protecting your company.
SAM techniques vary depending on the industry you’re in and the software you’re using. One of the most widely-used software by large enterprises today is Microsoft Office 365 or M365. In fact, Microsoft Office software is used in over one million companies worldwide.
This allows for IT software asset management to be better understood using Microsoft as a well-known example.
Managing high volumes of licenses like Microsoft Office 365 is a complex undertaking. Organizations often buy more software licenses than they use due to lack of visibility and inefficient or out-dated SAM processes. Sometimes organizations accumulate extra licenses for years without realizing the money being lost.
Accurately tracking software usage and license count is important when trying to keep your licensing efficient and reduce waste. Adequate Microsoft software asset management can also guarantee software is configured properly, reducing the risk of network breaches and viruses.
Digital SAM tools with a central licensing database and automated processes can help to optimize the license inventory process and give you a 360-degree view of every piece of Microsoft software your company owns.
In addition to defining the correct ways to install and use software, licenses also hold the terms and conditions of use. Software vendors like Microsoft perform audits or a Microsoft asset management review to make sure organizations are following the terms and conditions correctly.
Microsoft wants to ensure your company has paid for all the licenses it is using. Good software asset management makes sure your company passes all licensing audits and avoids fines from software developers like Microsoft.
Managing the logistics of licenses is only one part of Microsoft software asset management. Your company’s purchasing department can also use the information gathered in the SAM process to accurately forecast future software needs. This, in turn, paves the way to consolidate procurement schedules and seek out volume discounts.
Since software is considered a fixed asset, accurate SAM may help reduce your company’s tax liability. Verifying the cost of the software your company has purchased can help save money
In order to run at its best, your company needs to know the full scope of technology in use. Manual tracking by administrative professionals or dedicated employees in your IT department is no longer sufficient. Keeping up with medium and large enterprise SAM requires more than just spreadsheets.
Large companies can now employ entire SAM teams made up of individuals who have software asset management certifications and training. Depending on the size of the corporation, they may even have a dedicated Microsoft licensing manager.
Even if your company can’t commit an entire team to undergo software asset management training, good asset management solutions include tools that automate inventory and renewal procedures. This way, more employees can focus on the growth of your business instead of manually tracking data.
Bringing clarity to IT software asset management is easier with Quadbridge. Our innovative QBx Portal can handle all of your immediate SAM needs.
This new Microsoft software asset management tool offers one portal to manage all M365 licensing, security and usage. Licensing management is now easy and automatic with a single, dedicated point of contact.
The QBx Portal is also free when you purchase Microsoft 365 licenses from Quadbridge and comes with a M365 Health Check to optimize your software purchase and keep your usage safe and secure.
Get on the fast track to enhanced software asset management solutions. Contact Quadbridge today for more information.
Client profile
Industry: Environmental
Employees: 25-50
✓ Managed IT
✓ Managed M365
✓ Managed Backup
✓ Professional Service
✓ Managed Endpoint
After supporting Waterloo Biofilter with an office move, they quickly switched fromtheir current Managed Services Provider to Quadbridge. We now manage their entireIT environment and support their end-to-end IT needs.
• Quadbridge worked with the client to implement our Elite IT service thatprovides ongoing IT monitoring and management, responsive help desk,proactive service, and vCIO consulting
• We’ve become a fully trusted partner and have proactively led a number ofinitiatives to improve performance and advance their IT, including thefollowing services:
• Managed Cloud Backup: we optimized their backup strategy with anaccessible, cost-efficient cloud-based backup solution that our teamcontinuously monitors and assists with restore requests.
• Infrastructure Architecture: we upgraded their server infrastructure toimprove redundancy and performance – especially for employees workingremotely.
• Ad Hoc Requests: as the clients’ IT support, our team uses our range ofexpertise and onsite support capabilities to deliver on a range of simple andcomplex IT projects. These have included upgrading their conference roomsystems and completing a functional and aesthetic clean up of their cabling
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