Software Asset Management is the business of continually evaluating and managing your organization's software: what you've got, where it's running, and any licensing overlap.

Staying on top of software management is crucial in today's business world.

Implementing SAM is easy to do, and often can be accomplished in four easy steps:

• Perform a Software Inventory: Find out what software titles your company is currently using.
• Match Software to Licenses: Locate the license documentation for each software title installed.
• Review Policies & Procedures: Review or write policies and procedures to assure good software asset management practices.
• Stay the Course: Create an ongoing SAM plan to use moving forward.

Benefits to your organization can be significant

Properly managed software can significantly benefit your company:

• Help Save money
• Manage technological change
• Justify investments
• Invest in the economy
• Encourage growth and development

Read more on Benefits of SAM

Take specific steps to implement good SAM practices by department:

• SAM for IT
• SAM for Purchasing Departments
• SAM for Management

Are you at risk?

Ask yourself these questions to determine your risk for having obtaining unlicensed or pirated software:

1. Do you know how many workstations and servers your company is currently using?
2. Do you know the type of software is installed on the workstations and servers at your company?
3. Do you have a software license for all the software used on your workstations and servers?
4. How did you get the software installed on your workstations and servers?
   • Preinstalled on a new PC
   • Internet acquisition - Online Store
   • Internet acquisition - Online Auction
   • Internet acquisition - Downloaded from Internet
   • Store Purchase
   • Copied from a friend
   • Reseller
   • Microsoft Volume Licensing program
   • IT department install
   • Other
5. Are your company's workstations networked? If so, have you acquired any Client Access Licenses (CAL)
6. Does your company have a software budget?
7. Does your company have a policy for copying software and/or purchasing software?

If you have answered 'no' or 'I don't know' to even one of the above questions, we encourage you to take steps to evaluate your business…

Take the SAM ROI Assessment - it only takes 5 minutes!
Determine your company's current SAM implementation and get specific tips on how to refine your SAM program.

Download the Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer - free and easy to use!
Generates an inventory of software installed on your local computer, or across a network.

Find a SAM Provider - SAM Partners that can help you create an effective SAM plan

Find a SAM Tool - more SAM Tools are available