What is SAM and why is it important to assess SAM Maturity?
Software Asset Management (SAM) is a crucial aspect of any organization's IT infrastructure. It encompasses the processes and policies used to manage, control, and protect software assets throughout their lifecycle.
With the increasing cost and complexity of software licensing agreements and the potential risks associated with non-compliance, conducting a SAM maturity assessment becomes imperative for businesses of all sizes.
Why Software Asset Management is critical to any organization's IT infrastructure:
Risk Mitigation: Non-compliance with software licenses can lead to hefty fines, legal issues, and damage to reputation. By assessing SAM maturity, organizations can identify potential improvements to processes and policy so that risks are kept to a minimum or identified and dealt with proactively before they become an issue.
Cost Optimization:
Inefficient software management often results in unnecessary spending on licenses, maintenance, and support, etc. A SAM maturity assessment can identify potential improvements to processes and policy, resulting in better data with which to understand how software assets are used in your organization and therefore optimize costs.
Enhanced Security: Poorly managed software assets can pose security risks such as unpatched vulnerabilities and unauthorized access. Improvements to SAM processes identified in a maturity assessment will enable better security management and therefore reduce risk.
Strategic Decision Making: A mature SAM framework enables organizations to make informed decisions regarding software investments, acquisitions and mergers, upgrades, and migrations. By understanding the usage patterns and requirements of different departments, businesses can align their IT strategies with overall objectives, driving efficiency and innovation.
Compliance Readiness: Regulatory and contractual requirements related to software usage are continually evolving. By assessing SAM maturity, organizations can ensure compliance with industry standards, contracts, and regulatory mandates. This not only minimizes legal risks but also fosters trust among stakeholders, including customers and partners. Good SAM practices also significantly reduces time and resource spent on external compliance audits.
Continuous Improvement: A SAM maturity assessment is not a one-time activity but a continuous process. SAM maturity assessments allow organizations to establish benchmarks, track progress over time, and adapt to changes in technology, business needs, and regulatory landscape. Continuous improvement ensures that SAM practices remain effective and resilient in the long run.
Conclusion
Conducting a SAM maturity assessment is essential for organizations seeking to optimize their software assets, mitigate risks, and achieve compliance. By gaining insights into their current state, businesses can implement proactive measures to enhance security, reduce costs, and make informed decisions.
Ultimately, investing in SAM maturity assessment is an investment in the future success and sustainability of the organization.
How can Livingstone help?
Here at Livingstone, we can carry out an independent SAM maturity assessment for your organization based on our own extensive experience and industry standards such as ITIL and ISO 19770-1. We’ll present you with a detailed report of our findings and recommended improvements to start you off on your journey to more mature SAM and cost optimization.
In addition, our experienced consultants can support you on your journey, whether that’s helping write a business case for SAM, raising awareness of SAM in your organization, training, assistance with policy writing or process engineering.
If you would like to talk to us about a SAM maturity assessment, reach out to us at Livingstone.
About the author:
Andy Gray
Senior Consultant
Senior Consultant at Livingstone Technologies, Andy Gray has over 22 years of experience working in Software Asset Management, and over 5 years experience of working with Livingstone.
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