Advice and expertise on Software Asset Management tools
Discovery and tooling strategy - Choice of data collection tools
Without comprehensive data that meets the requirements imposed by metrics, it is impossible to assess the financial risks. Collecting this information can be difficult and time-consuming, especially if the organization is poorly equipped or decentralized.
SAMPRO LICENSE helps you develop tailor-made tools for your Software Asset Management:
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Publisher tools: Tools such as SCCM, ILMT / Bigfix, and USMM SAP are provided by publishers.
These tools allow you to collect and work on your data as part of a Software Asset Management
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Free tools, scripts and requests: Tools such as MAP Toolkit or RV Tools are free agentless tools
allowing you to request quality data on your infrastructure and deployments, without needing an
agent. Scripts can also be used, as Oracle does during license audits. SAMPRO LICENSE can advise you on
these free tools and the scripts to use to obtain data that is reliable and defensible in the
event of an audit by the publisher.
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Software Asset Management, ITSM and antivirus tool agents: If you already have agents on your
workstations and servers, these are a reliable data source to inventory your usage and
deployments as well as the underlying infrastructure. Software Asset Management tool agents
(Snow Software, Flexera, Service Now, etc.) are designed to report the data necessary for
compliance calculations. ITSM and CMDB tool agents sometimes report insufficiently precise data,
which will have to be supplemented or cross-checked with other sources.
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Please note that some data cannot be collected automatically by tools: for example, the number of users of
an application, or data linked to certain metrics such as turnover or number of visitors to a merchant site.
In this case, we can put other processes in place.
Examples of deliverables:
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Analysis and diagnosis of your existing tools
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Development of a tooling strategy for Software Asset Management
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Support for the selection of a Software Asset Management tool
From the start of the selection process, we provide our clients with a methodological framework and simple tools (maturity diagnosis, market studies, feedback, business case, etc.) to assess the functional needs and the potential ROI of a dedicated solution.
Once the project has been validated, we support SAM managers and technical teams in drafting technical and functional specifications and preparing for consultations with publishers.
Each Software and Cloud Asset Management solution has its functional and technical strengths and limitations, which evolve over time. SAMPRO LICENSE helps you make the best choice according to your usage and your environment. For example, we consider use cases of the tool, maximum compatibility with your on-premise and Cloud infrastructures, and coverage of your software products by the solution’s signature catalog.
Examples of deliverables:
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Benchmark and market study of Software Asset Management solutions
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Business case and ROI study
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Drafting of technical and functional specifications
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Drafting of specifications and management of the process for selecting a tool
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Proof of Concept (PoC) of a SAM tool
SAM tool publishers offer free or paid PoCs. These give you an overview of how the solutions work. However, it may be wise to be accompanied by SAMPRO LICENSE experts during this phase. Our team has developed a specific methodology for PoCs to assess the suitability of solutions for real-world customer needs.
Publishers will offer you to test standard use cases and publishers where they have special expertise, all in SaaS mode, thus avoiding integration issues.
The challenge is to ensure the PoC focuses on your real constraints, which will determine the success of the project.
The PoC must demonstrate that the SAM tool can deal with the following:
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Technical compatibility with your environment (Linux servers, old versions of OS, data sources, etc.)
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Complex functional use cases to be identified upstream
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Native coverage of your high-stakes publishers
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Support for the use of your Software Asset Management tool or Managed Service
Software license management tools are very powerful, especially for large organizations that want to include a large volume of devices and publishers. But all Software Asset Management tools require strong expertise to operate and to generate the desired reports.
Many SAM tooling projects fail due to the lack of resources or expertise of client teams who are unable to maintain and operate the tool to provide results that are reliable and enforceable against software vendors. SAM tool providers are not in the business of providing a long-term service, and consulting companies specializing in Software Asset Management are increasingly called upon to rescue and revitalize unsuccessful tooling projects.
Our conviction is that the future of SAM tooling and software license management lies in a managed service, combining internal skills, a tool and an expert SAM consulting partner.
Many large organizations have already understood this and are launching consultations for SAM managed services or SAM tool services, bringing together a commercial SAM tool and a specialized consulting company that will implement and operate the solution through a multi-year contract. For smaller organizations, this support can be provided in a flexible manner with a consultant working full-time or part-time.
