Software Asset management and optimization software assets – JDN

The Software spending is often greater than the hardware expenditure in the budgets of IT production, can represent 30-40% of the total budget. This quota share is steadily increasing for several years.

undeniably, most companies
 effective in optimizing their software assets (licenses and
 maintenance) are those that have developed – or are in the process of
 up – an approach Software
 Asset Management (SAM).

Software Asset Management is defined,
 according to ITIL as a set of skills, processes, organization and
 tools that aim to manage, control and protect software assets
 now and throughout the life cycle of software.

A recent study by CA Technologies indicates
 88% of European companies expect to face an audit
 their licenses
 software over the next 12 months and the costs of compliance
 can be significant.

When we last speaking, we
 had explained how and why companies should put in place
 SAM solution. We asked the opinion of an equipment distributor
 Computer very important player in its market, to illustrate this.

From these exchanges that
 Editors always find a way to more complex business models and
 rules of the game to make extremely difficult to compare prices. The
 dealer explains that before returning to negotiations, the first step is
 to be well prepared: Understand the existing contract, needs and volumes
 by profile or business, budgetary constraints, new models
 licensing (especially SaaS) … Be accompanied in this process
 Negotiations were an asset to the company, in order to have all the
 understanding in legal terms, but also services, volumes, terms, and conditions
 contractual and commitment levels.

Even with “captive” publishers, we must
 ie find the most daring negotiating levers like playing on
 Process schedule, leave the table or compare with
 prices in other countries (India, USA, UK, …).

And in this case, be assisted by a firm to tender negotiations and go test the break points,
 preserves contractual good relationship in the future.

Software Publishers have created an ecosystem
 very complex licensing, covering the purchase terms for licenses,
 associated maintenance services and support services. No one can change one
 the licensing ecosystem imposed by an editor. During negotiations, it is
 therefore recommended to involve operational ISD and Legal Service
 at the preparatory stage of the negotiation.

All in all, not to be victims
 this complexity, the best solution for the customer’s editors
 to implement a process of Software Asset Management (SAM).

Whatever happens, we must control its
 existing volumes and changes in scope. Indeed, the optimization of
 costs can not be done when the customer knows what he needs, and when
 he needs. And Software Asset Management is the keystone of a
 Effective software management.

Finally, the signed contracts are complex but …
 they include all key – sometimes well hidden … – Optimization
 technical and economic of this item of expenditure so important for CIOs. They
 should not sleep in closets … should the Operational
 ownership and throughout the life of the contract!