What is SAM?
Software asset management (SAM) is the practice of integrating people, processes and technology to systematically track software installs, licenses and actual usage in order to help reduce IT expenditure, maximize user productivity and minimize risks associated with software (e.g. legal compliance and security).
SAM requires a multi-layered approach based on the following key elements:
- Using automatic ‘discovery’ tools to find all software on the network
- Tracking the usage of applications
- Understanding the licensing obligations and how specific vendors’ licensing schemes apply to the individual organization
- The ability to automatically reconcile the installation and usage of software against license entitlement
- Creating and enforcing policies for the procurement, installation, usage and retirement of software assets.
