Tools for IT Managers

Purchasing and managing multiple software licenses across large numbers of users, branch offices and geographic locations can make the entire software asset management (SAM) process very complex and can prevent effective SAM.

Tracking who has the responsibility for software purchases or implementing a consistent SAM policy throughout the organization can be challenging if there is no centralization. Practical evidence suggests that SAM yields the greatest benefits when it can be centralized to a designated individual or individuals within the company information technology (IT) department. This individual or group should have full responsibility for software audits but also for:

  • Sourcing, purchase and negotiation for software
  • Strategic IT planning and risk management

Below are several tools you’ll need to help your company implement an effective SAM policy. Be sure to check out the “Employer Tools” too.

Software Asset Management (SAM) Checklist (PDF)

Follow these five simple steps to prevent software piracy roulette.

Software Needs Analysis Form

A sample form.

SAM Tips/Best Practices (PDF)

Tips and best practices at your finger tips.

What is Software Piracy

Software piracy is the unauthorized copying or distribution of copyrighted software. When you purchase software, you are actually purchasing a license to use it, not the actual software. The license is what tells you how many times you can install the software. If you make more copies of the software than the license permits, you are breaking the law. Whether you are copying, downloading, sharing, selling, or installing multiple copies of software onto personal or work computers, you are committing software piracy.

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