FrontRange Solutions, which acquired SAM solutions developer Centennial Software in April 2008, has launched FrontRange SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition, a unique best-practice solution designed to guide organisations through the process of creating and managing a successful software asset management initiative.
SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition supports the recently announced Microsoft SAM Optimisation Model, which helps IT and business managers understand why they are not in control of their software assets and where they should focus to improve SAM processes, and has been developed with the approval of Microsoft.
Andy Burton, Vice-President Infrastructure Group at FrontRange Solutions, commented: “With the current economic pressures, more and more organisations are looking to find substantial savings in their IT budgets. As such, SAM has grown in prominence but a lot of people don't know where to start. SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition gives users solid guidance throughout a SAM initiative, from preparation right through to implementation of effective processes.”
Scott Johnson, FrontRange Solutions, Centennial Product Manager for South Africa, says: “Historically market perception of SAM was largely based on licensing compliance. This, in fact, is only a small portion of SAM. Software asset management is about the effective management of all software assets, process and procedures surrounding software assets and ensuring that these are managed from the initial purchase of these assets until the retirement thereof. Effective management of software assets can help organisations save significant amounts of money as well as ensure that risks of 'under-licensing' or 'over-licensing' are mitigated right from the start.”
Nick Sparks, Commercial Manager for Software Compliance and Optimisation at EDF Energy believes no organisation should start a SAM initiative without first understanding how to best manage the project: “SAM is just as much about people and processes as it is about having the right technology in place. At EDF Energy, we're using SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition to both reduce the amount of time it will take to see a real return on our investment as well as to ensure that we work in line with recognised best practices.”
SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition has been specifically developed to reflect the key stages and requirements of SAM maturity outlined by Microsoft in its new SAM Optimisation Model, which details how organisations can progress from a basic understanding of SAM through to a dynamic approach to managing software assets.
Michael Beare, Director at Microsoft, commented: “Microsoft encourages the broad adoption of SAM by customers as a way to make the best software investment decisions and gain control over their software assets. The release of SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition, supporting the new Microsoft model, gives customers a straightforward framework for driving targeted SAM practice enhancements.”
SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition uses technology developed by Mindjet Corporation to provide users with a comprehensive project management plan for a SAM initiative, with documented workflows and templates for each of the component parts of the overall project (see attached screenshot).
Burton continued: “SAM can be somewhat daunting, with many different processes and stages involved. SAM Essentials Optimisation Edition breaks the SAM initiative down into manageable chunks, removing many of the objections and making it much easier to realise significant savings through improved management practices. The solution also facilitates closer relationships between customers and their software resellers, enabling the channel to better react to organisations' business needs.”
As well as being assured that their efforts will meet Microsoft's requirements for SAM optimisation, users of the new SAM Essentials solution will also be working towards ISO 19770-1 best practices. For SAM providers, SAM Essentials Optimisation Model can be customised and extended to fit their own service offerings.
SAM Essentials Optimisation Model is available with immediate effect and more information can be found at: http://www.frontrange.com
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