Why bet on software asset management?

Is managing software assets an issue you are unaware of? If the answer is yes, it’s time to upgrade. After all, technology is increasingly accessible and its benefits to business are indisputable, but it needs to be managed in a strategic way.

In this text, in addition to understanding what software asset management is and how it impacts directly on your company’s bottom line, you’ll also see what the practical benefits of this strategy are. You will understand, for example, that cost reduction combined with maintenance techniques is one of the most positive consequences. Keep reading!

What is Software Asset Management?
Software Asset Management (SAM) is a practice of creating software that helps in managing the purchase, preservation, and make use of software application.

In other words, it is the management and optimization of the software that the company uses, through a set of good practices that help to keep control of the technological solutions – especially with regard to the licensing agreements, effective control and protection, cost control, etc.

How Software Asset Management Impacts Company Results

By creating a software asset management policy, your business improves security and compliance. It also manages to be more predictable about future software needs. In addition, you gain the automation of manual processes to improve efficiency and prepare the business for future technological upgrades.

The gains are not just in the IT department, but the whole company is impacted. From the economy with software licenses to the optimization of technology on the operating areas, the management of software assets leads to improvements in all areas.

Here are the main benefits:

Reduction of costs
Managing software such as enterprise asset management software helps you reduce your business costs in a number of ways. With this strategy, the company:

• eliminates or reallocates underutilized software licenses;
• limits the overhead associated with software management and support;
• reduces the potential for unexpected software costs;
• avoids the payment of indemnities and fines for breach of contract.

Reducing risks

When software licenses are documented and effectively controlled, the chances of noncompliance with contracts and consequent fines decrease. Also the possibility of the team using pirate solutions and, therefore, vulnerable to damages and invasions, falls drastically.

If we look at the so-called Shadow IT, a phenomenon in which technological solutions are acquired without the consent of the IT team (especially in the cloud computing model), this management is even more urgent. It is no longer possible for software to be installed and operated on the corporate network without the specialized monitoring of the technology team.

Productivity gains

By making good software asset management, the company ensures more effective control of the manuals, reference materials and support of their systems. Having access to these support materials makes users more productive, making less money and earning more time. In addition, by ensuring that all employees are using the same software versions, file conflicts and sharing problems are avoided and there is a better flow of communication. And this also contributes to day-to-day operational productivity.

Lower dependence on support

Without unauthorized software and with all licenses up-to-date, technical problems tend to decrease. Thus, users start to seek less support from the support team. Soon, the IT operations team (help desk, service desk) is given free time to engage in more strategic and consultative action.

Governance improvement

Active software management is also excellent in achieving and demonstrating compliance with regulatory bodies (governmental, certifying, etc.).

All of the above factors are very important to ensure the performance of a company is at its best. Competition in the modern era requires every company to seriously renew its management technology.