Management’s Role
A good SAM program requires all employees to be aware and responsible on their own, but the ultimate responsibility rests with senior management. Your primary role will be to prepare a proper business case for SAM. In addition, you will also need to ensure the program is being handled adequately (either by your own staff or through a contractor), see to it that SAM is being properly maintained, and show your employees how SAM will streamline their daily work flow and keep the office running smoothly.
How SAM Benefits You
A good SAM program brings many benefits; including the overall added efficiency that proper software management gives your employees. As a department manager, SAM gives you peace of mind. Benefits include:
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Limited legal liability stemming from poor licensing procedures
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Faster, smoother mergers and acquisitions resulting from a thorough, organized licensing system
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Reduced costs for training individual managers
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A faster time-to-market through streamlined software functionality and a thorough knowledge of existing databases
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Increased employee morale and motivation through enhanced software programs
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Where to Begin
Start by building a business case for SAM. Issues to identify and ultimately present to your seniors may include:
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A summary of your current SAM level
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A summary of the proposed plan with alternatives
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The case for outsourcing, staying in-house, or a combination of the two
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A time frame for implementing SAM
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The necessary requirements and the expected benefits
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The final recommended plan
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What to expect when it’s finished
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Selling the Business Case
After you’ve prepared your case you’ll need to gain final approval. Here are some tips that will help your cause:
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Determine potential objections from the outset and have solutions and benefits already at hand
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Keep budgetary concerns in mind at all times—know where your company is, and how much it may be prepared to spend
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Find a senior-level proponent of SAM that will help you sell your case
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Be ready to present a report detailing what steps were taken and the benefits realized after the plan has been fully implemented
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