Preparation Guide for Exam 70-123
Planning, Implementing, and Maintaining a Software Asset Management (SAM) Program
On This Page
 | Exam News |
| Audience Profile |
| Preparation Tools and Resources |
| Skills Being Measured |
Exam News
Exam 70-123 became available on December 10, 2004.
Practice test for Exam 70-123 became available on September 1, 2006.
Audience Profile
Candidates for this exam provide software asset and license management services to organizations in a range of sizes, from small- and medium-sized businesses to very large (enterprise) organizations.
Candidates should have:
| • | A comprehensive understanding of "ITIL Best Practices: Software Asset Management," published by the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC), ISBN #0113309430. Order online. | ||||||||||||
| • | At least six months of experience in all phases of Software Asset Management (SAM) consultancy, including reviewing policies and procedures; working with and knowledge of SAM tools; performing license and software inventories; matching deployments to licenses; and developing SAM plans. | ||||||||||||
| • | A solid understanding of license types used by all major software vendors of desktop applications, server applications, and operating systems. | ||||||||||||
| • | A detailed knowledge of the corporate volume licensing programs from Microsoft, including Open, Select, and Enterprise, as well as OEM, Full Packaged Product (FPP), Developer (MSDN), Virtual PC, and non-volume license types. | ||||||||||||
| • | A good understanding of function and functionality of tools and should know about differences of various tools. They should be able to frame the best tool for a SAM project and customer. | ||||||||||||
| • | Strong diplomatic skills to help customers understand and address compliance issues, and to help customers realize and experience the ongoing benefits and efficiencies of SAM. | ||||||||||||
| • | A detailed understanding of the SAM process from the very beginning to the end, including:
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Preparation Tools and Resources
See the following resources to prepare for this exam.
Microsoft Online Resources
| • | Online SAM Tutorials are available on the Software Asset Management Essentials Web page. | ||
| • | An online Practice Test for Exam 70-123: Software Asset Management (SAM) is available on the Partner Learning Center Web site. | ||
| • | Information about the overall Microsoft Volume License programs is available on the Volume Licensing Web site. | ||
| • | A general overview about Volume Licensing is available on the Volume Licensing Overview Web page. | ||
| • | Detailed information on the Open License Program is available on the Open License Program Web page. | ||
| • | Additional related material about Volume Licensing are available on the Volume Licensing Resources and Volume License Resellers Web sites. | ||
| • | Online Volume Licensing tutorials are available on the Volume Licensing Essentials for Partners Web page.
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Skills Being Measured
Before taking the exam, you should be proficient in the job skills listed below.
| Skills measured by exam 70-123 |
| Making the Business Case for SAM |
Gather information about the customer's environment |
Describe the aspects, approach, and targets of SAM to the customer |
Communicate the customer's role in a successful SAM program |
| Analyzing and Revising SAM Policies and Procedures |
Analyze the customer's SAM/IT policies and procedures |
Revise, develop, and integrate new SAM policies and procedures |
Assess the effectiveness of policies and procedures |
| Evaluating and Selecting Tools for Software Asset Management |
Check available and acquired tools in the customer's organization |
Select the appropriate types of tools for the customer's SAM solution |
Evaluate the existing license management system or available license management systems |
Specify which information to track in a software inventory database |
Specify which information to track in a license inventory database |
| Performing a SAM Inventory |
Create a license inventory |
Create software inventory |
| Analyzing Inventories and Reporting Result |
Analyze software inventory |
Analyze license inventory |
Match licenses to software inventory |
Write an expert report |
| Defining and Analyzing Licensing Solutions |
Analyze existing licensing agreements |
Propose alternative licensing options |
Note: This preparation guide is subject to change at any time without prior notice and at Microsoft's sole discretion. Microsoft exams might include adaptive testing technology and simulation items. Microsoft does not identify the format in which exams are presented. Please use the exam objectives listed in this preparation guide to prepare for the exam, regardless of its format. Learn more, and download samples, on the Testing Innovations page.