How SAM can save you money
Published: 07 July 2006
With software asset management (SAM), you’ll use your company’s existing licenses, and acquire only the software and additional licenses you need. SAM eliminates waste, overlap, and redundancy throughout your organisation. SAM also lowers the costs associated with buying and maintaining your software library.
A good SAM program lets you know exactly how many licenses you have for each software title. Oftentimes, instead of acquiring additional licenses you can simply re-deploy software between departments or PCs. *
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* Please note that certain license agreements might limit the transfer of software. Check your agreement(s) before you transfer software.
SAM also encourages a centralized licensing process that allows you to take advantage of volume discounts whenever possible. With SAM you get all this -- plus these seven additional benefits:
1. | Reduce the time and cost of desktop support management. Backup and recovery systems are easier to maintain when it's clear what software goes where. Additionally, standardizing desktops can dramatically reduce support costs. |
2. | Decrease risk of implementing new solutions. With SAM, upgrades, virus protection, and patches can be automatically identified. This saves you time and reduces hassles for your information-technology (IT) department and for the employees using the software. |
3. | Gain peace of mind. You’ll know where you stand with your software and licenses. You'll have peace of mind knowing that you’re using genuine products with all their associated benefits. With a SAM Software Use Policy, you can reduce unapproved software downloads and the potential viruses that often come with them. In addition, by tracking all your software assets, you’ll have detailed information for good backup and recovery plans should the need ever arise. |
4. | Keep your data safe. SAM will help to ensure your data is protected and that you have a proper disaster-recovery plan in place. |
5. | Help your people make good decisions. By knowing what software you have, where it is, and where it’s best used, you can make more informed, strategic, tactical, and operational decisions. |
6. | Give your people the tools they need to do their jobs and more. SAM provides key information that helps managers and employees justify their software needs. This knowledge boosts overall productivity, helps ensure deadlines are met, and increases overall job satisfaction. |
7. | Get your people and your business working more effectively. By standardizing software versions, file-sharing issues are reduced and communication is made easier throughout your organisation. Users can work together smoothly, which leads to increased productivity. |
