Essential License Management Tools For Your Organisation

It is important, when selecting tools to work in conjunction with your Software Asset Management (SAM) programme that the SAM tools you choose match the requirements for your IT management tools. This helps ensure that SAM processes work with your IT management tools efficiently and that your SAM programme incorporates all of the tool's available features. It is typically necessary to incorporate a number of solutions rather than just one to accomplish a SAM programme that offers optimal performance.

Asset Inventory As An Essential Foundation Tool

An important foundation tool for both your Software Asset Management and wider IT Asset Management programmes is asset inventory (sometimes called 'Discovery'). An asset inventory tool records all information as it relates to a physical device, including the hardware components and installed software applications. This information can be extended to cover peripheral devices such as printers or scanners, net book value, depreciation value and leasing contract.

While Discovery solutions typically offer little in the way of license management capabilities, the inventory information they provide is an important part of the overall SAM requirements.

The Use Of Discovery Tools

Discovery tools are designed to locate hardware and installed software on an organisation's network. These tools are set up to recognise the technical details of all installed component software. This information is important when tracking versions and determining the media used to run software on the network. However, from a licensing point of view, it is typically difficult to compile and convert this data into usable data without extensive effort on the part of the operator.

License Management

Of primary importance in any SAM implementation is the acquisition of a dedicated and fit-for-purpose license management solution. Accuracy and up-to-date information, along with procedures for controlling and maintaining accuracy of software license entitlement is the basic function of any SAM programme. Software licensing information for the whole organisation needs to be held in a central database, with varying degrees of access provided to different stakeholders across the enterprise. The visibility provided by the licensing solution is critical to helping managers and directors avoid over-purchasing software licenses while also ensuring that the organisation remains compliant with the prevailing licensing conditions enforced by the software vendors. Confidence that your organisation is compliant with licensing terms gives peace of mind, and enables successful negotiations with software companies.

The use of a comprehensive license management tool eliminates the manual process and potential errors associated with software procurement and management. It removes the manual procedure of employing spreadsheets to manage and track entitlements, which are usually cumbersome, difficult to analyse and make audit trails almost impossible to track.

Advanced Software Asset Management solutions can allow businesses to manage their individual SAM programmes either self-sufficiently or through sharing the burden with expert partners.