How Software Asset Management Can Help Your Business

It is generally a good idea for any business that owns software to have a Software Asset Management programme in place. This procedure can help the company identify what software it has and how many computers are using it, discover whether this software is being used efficiently and ensure that they have the proper licences and documentation. It is one of the most effective and reliable ways to keep track of software and it has many advantages for a business. These include:



Avoidance of expensive fines and possible criminal liability

Almost every company will face a software audit at some time during its existence. If illegal software is found, the guilty parties could face high fines and tremendous damage to their reputation. A Software Asset Management programme helps businesses avoid these problems by ensuring that they understand their software's terms of use and are compliant with all licensing conditions. With this process in place, the firm will be able to confidently respond to any questions the auditor asks and emerge from the audit unscathed.

Cost savings

A Software Asset Management programme can save a business as much as 30 per cent after just year one and 5 to 10 per cent every following year for five years. This technique can save money in a wide variety of ways beyond just helping the company avoid fines for illegal software. It ensures that all licences are being used to their fullest extent, helps the company make the most of available volume discounts for future licences and assists with creating an effective software budget.

More up-to-date software

When a company is using obsolete software, it costs money and hurts productivity. Software Asset Management can help a firm gauge which software is no longer useful for their business and upgrade or change it where necessary. It can also identify which software titles have proven the most valuable to the company so that they can be put to wider use.

Increased productivity

When employees are using different versions of software, it can be difficult to share files or communicate effectively. Often business owners are unaware that this is happening. Software Asset Management helps ensure that software is compatible across the company, thus creating a more constructive work environment and more content employees. In addition, this programme can help make certain that employees are using their user manuals effectively and utilising available product support and this also increases productivity.

Improved security

Unauthorized software and dangerous downloads can create a serious security issue for businesses. Often, this software contains viruses and spyware that can compromise a company's privacy and financial safety or damage computers and even whole networks. With a Software Asset Management programme in place, employees will not unknowingly put these programmes on their computer. Not only does this make the network more secure, but it reduces the need for time-consuming and costly technical support.

Better reputation for your business

People who are sure that the company they work for is not misusing software tend to have more confidence in that company. Likewise, other businesses feel more comfortable working with companies that are fully compliant with all legal conditions of their software. A Software Asset Management programme creates this situation for your company and it also eliminates circumstances where you might damage your good name by unknowingly giving a virus to business partners or clients due to unsafe software.