illustrative icon

Micromail - Software Asset Management (SAM)


What is SAM?

Software Asset Management (SAM) is to help organizations manage, control and protect the software assets they have, throughout all stages of the software’s life.
There's more to SAM than checking you are legally licensed. SAM protects your organization's software and helps you recognize what you've got, where it's running, and any licensing overlaps that may exist.
There are now SAM solutions & tools that can help to produce great results, are non-intrusive and can be tailored to meet the requirements of any business.


The Need for SAM?

The ultimate responsibility for good corporate governance of software assets lies with an organization’s senior management.
That is why the most important requirement for a SAM project is to have a clear vision and strategy that is backed by senior management.


Business Risks

- Legal & Financial Exposure
- Damaged Reputation
- Network Security Breaches
- Interruption of Operations


SAM Benefits

The benefits of a well implemented SAM are significant and should greatly exceed the implementation and operating costs


Controlling Costs

A good SAM implementation should bring significant financial saving within a year of completion:
- Better Negotiating Position for Software Purchases
- Better Knowledge of what Software is being Installed/Used and Better Deployment Capabilities
- Prevention of Software Over Deployment
- Reduced Costs of Internal Licensing Support
- Potential Tax Benefits


How can Micromail help?

Micromail is a leading specialist in Software Licensing, Consultancy, Compliance and Software Asset Management.
With over 20 years' partnering with major vendors such as Microsoft, Adobe, Symantec, CA and many more, we can provide you with an independent review of your licensing position no matter your software supplier, and then work with you and them to enable you to implement best practices in Software Asset Management.


SAM Tools We Recommend:

1. Centennial Discovery
http://www.micromail.com/licensing/centennial_discovery.htm
Centennial's portfolio of products are designed to help organizations better manage their IT Governance requirements.

Watch the Centennial License Manager demo and learn more about SAM


2. IQNetScan
http://www.iquate.com/iqnetscan.ehtml
This is the smallest download (at less than 1MB) but it requires .NET Framework. Doesn't install agents to clients.


3. Sitekeeper
http://www.sitekeepereurope.com/en/07_general/downloads_sk.htm
This is a sizable download (42MB) and, if you need MSDE, twice that. Very slick product. Easy to install. Reports are excellent. Trial is limited to 20 PCs. Doesn't install agents to clients. (We can send the trial on CD if you prefer).


4. NetSupport DNA
https://download.netsupportsoftware.com/download/distdownload.asp?site=PCS&lang=UK
This is a big download (154MB) but it includes MSDE. Superb reports (powered by Crystal). The most expensive tool in the bunch but definitely worth checking out. Push installs agents to clients.


5. Microsoft Software Inventory Analyser (MSIA)
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/sam/msia.mspx
Benefit of this is that it's free. 6MB download. No limit to the number of PCs it can inventory. Biggest limit is that it only lists Microsoft software. Still, at the price it's well worth using! Doesn't install an agent on the client. Has some problems with Windows XP SP2 (Windows Firewall settings need to allow File & Print Sharing)


SAM Resources:
www.itil.co.uk
www.microsoft.com/resources/sam/default.mspx