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Tag: SAM

Ballmer admits flaws in MS licensing, no change in sight

At a recent event in London, Steve Ballmer was asked about Microsoft’s complex licensing policies to which he acknowledged that yes, Microsoft licensing isn’t simple, never has been and probably never will be. So, is there a chance for changes in the near future? Nope, of course not!  Ballmer even bolded stated that it just isn’t going to happen. So, here’s our advice to combat this. Start paying attention to the fine print. Look at your terms and conditions. Be […]

No downside to automation

Naturally, there are cost benefits to buying fewer licenses when re-negotiating a contract. The question is – how do you weigh the cost benefits against the risk of having too few or even being out of compliance because you are using your licenses improperly? Having an accurate account of business need is essential in reducing risk associating with contract negotiation and estimated licensing usage. The benefits of having a clear understanding of your licensing needs outweigh the cost of defining […]

Six steps to SAM

Software asset management (SAM) doesn’t have to be a daunting process. It can be very simple and rewarding if implemented properly. Here are six necessary steps to a successful SAM program (tongue twister eh?): 1.     Know and understand your SLAs for all your software vendors (not all licensing agreements are created  equal), the terms and conditions, and if you have questions, ask your rep or a consultant to explain them to you. Now this seems basic and it should be, […]

7 reasons to take contract lifecycle management seriously

If you’re saying “huh?”, that’s not a good sign. Contract lifecycle management – similar in nature to software asset management and is, in fact, part of SAM – is the practice of managing a software license agreement contract from initiation through award to compliance and renewal. You need a good system in place to ensure that deliverables and milestones are reached based on contractual obligations. By having a solid process in place – whether you partner with an expert matter consultancy or […]

Waltham/Boston-area seminar on…Oracle licensing and optimizing SAM

I’m going to be in Waltham, MA on March 19 speaking alongside Judith Hurwitz of Hurwitz & Associates and Phil Philbin of VMware at the IT Economic Stimulus Plan: Optimized SAM and Smart License Management event (hosted by our alliance partner, ManageSoft ). Click here for event details including RSVP.

Understand, Review and Manage Your Software Assets

New compliance and accounting regulations are forcing organizations to rethink how they view software. The emphasis on governance is changing the way companies think about software as an asset and how they account for it with their auditors. Unlicensed or mis-licensed software is a liability. There are 6 simple, basic steps for understanding and managing your software assets: 1. Create a repository. But, remember that electronic key codes are not enough “proof” for most software vendors. You need to keep […]

8 Deadly Mistakes Made with Oracle When You Don’t Have a Good SAM Program

Software asset management is a crucial factor in reducing risk, increasing compliance and mitigating liability. CRN’s Matt Fisher really summed up the reason for SAM and why organizations can’t afford to ignore it last month in his Software licensing simplified article. There are 8 deadly and costly mistakes made when dealing with Oracle, which can be prevented simply with a well-run SAM program: 1.  Not keeping original paperwork or receipts. 2.  Not taking alternative, web-based access to Oracle apps into […]

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