Software Asset Management

Overview

The increased complexity of IT environments, including regulatory requirements and cyber security risks, makes software asset management (SAM) an expensive exercise. 

Software asset governance:

  • Policy and Plan
    • Developing sound software asset policies and  plans to support business goals.
Man working on software asset management data.
  • Business integration
    • Integrate software asset management  objectives with other organisational  planning activities.
    • Aligning the responsibilities of IT, Finance, Business and Procurement.
  • Scope and ownership
    • Appoint sponsor for software asset management.
    • Align scope of all software assets and allocate to asset owners.
    • Defining ownership of key assets will  help drive cost optimisation and reduce redundancies.
  • License management
    • Accurately record all business requirements, usage and entitlements of software assets.
    • Reconciliations are conducted and assessed  periodically.
  • Reporting and decision-making
    • Determine information requirements to support software asset management  and organisational objectives.
    • Assessment of impact of availability and timeliness of quality management  information on organisational decisions.

 

Issues you may be facing

Two women working on software asset management data.

  • Complexity of IT environments: Cloud/virtualisation/containerisation, bring your own device, mismatch between business and IT
  • Complexity of software contracts: Licensing terms and conditions, variety of license metrics, many vendors/third parties
  • Compliance reviews/audits: Vendor audits, non-compliance and fines, measurement of usage
  • Cyber attacks: Unlicensed software, free unsecured software, Outdated/unsupported software
  • Significant costs: Unmanaged licenses, shadow IT, unused software/ghost assets

 

How we can add value

SAM process maturity assessment

Assess the current environment, risks and controls using experience and some best  practice, e.g. ISO19770-1 standards and identify areas of improvement.

 

Software contract optimisation

  • Review ongoing maintenance and support costs to avoid unnecessary expenditure.
  • Review license agreements and contracts and defined usage policies and establish  ongoing monitoring mechanisms.

 

 

License reconciliation and optimisation

  • Perform a baseline assessment of  software vendors to assist in compliance  and cost optimisation.
  • Assess license allocation, software  usage/monitoring and identify re-  harvesting opportunities.
  • Preparation for vendor reviews and  audits.

 

Cyber security reviews

  • Scanning the current software environment to identify unsecured and/or outdated  software assets and vulnerabilities.

 

Alignment of legacy applications

  • Provide software rationalisation and version control.
  • Maximise savings by retiring costly, obsolete, soon to be unsupported and poorly secured applications.
  • Evaluate the need for new software solutions.

 

Contact us

David Mazula

David Mazula

Partner, PwC South Africa

Tel: +27 (0) 21 529 2435

Follow us