Does it feel like you’re paying too much for software licenses? Do you have to sift through the clutter of computer programs you never use only to find that you’re lacking the one you need? Do you dread getting caught in one of those infamous Microsoft software licensing audits?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to invest in software asset management solutions.
Software or IT asset management combines tools and processes to allow businesses to organize the technology at their disposal. IT asset management can include purchasing policies and procedures, IT support (like Microsoft software licensing advisors, for example) and technology like computerized software inventory programs.
Companies use IT asset management to represent themselves properly when negotiating for new licenses, especially if they’re considering volume contracts. This keeps companies from purchasing redundant software and ensures they have the software solutions they actually need.
It also allows companies to implement their software properly. Too many companies fall into the trap of signing long-term contracts for software that isn’t compatible with their existing systems, causing them to waste hundreds or thousands of dollars. With IT asset management, companies are better able to tell what will work and what won’t.
By investing in a software management system, a company is also protecting itself from the high cost of non-compliance. Microsoft is considered the most aggressive software auditor: in a recent survey, 58% of respondents reported Microsoft audits in the past year, and 56% of respondents reported audit fees of $100,000 or more. For 21% of respondents, the costs reached into the millions.
When software licenses are organized and inventoried, it’s much less likely that a company will fall out of compliance and incur fees. Investing in software license optimization is one of the most responsible things a company can do to protect its interests.
