Chris Hughes, Flexera Software This article has been contributed by Chris Hughes of Flexera Software. Generally, when we think about SAP named user license optimization, the focus is on three key optimizations: Identifying inactive users Inactive SAP user accounts are retired to free up licenses for other users and to forestall additional purchases. Identifying duplicate users Each SAP user requires... 

"Reality is changing – I’d suggest you get involved" As with almost any complex area of life or business, Software Asset Management is seldom black and white. Like most of us, SAM practitioners need to deal with various shades of grey. This is the first of two articles where I’ll talk about two recent cases in point – where customer decisions (based on reality) went against seemingly... 

This article has been contributed by Matt Fisher, Sales & Marketing Director at License Dashboard. It’s often all-too easy to take what your Discovery tool is telling you at face value. From a license management point of view, that can mean importing the inventory data straight into the license management solution and performing a reconciliation between the discovered data and the recorded license... 

[Thank you to regular reader 'Niall' who kindly contributed this article ] Last week Microsoft released details regarding licensing changes for System Center 2012. Companies that are considering any growth or expansion of their existing system management products should be seriously considering taking action prior to the release of System Center 2012, due to some potentially favorable conversions between... 

This is part three of a three part series. Read the first part here. This article has been contributed by Kylie Fowler. Regular columnist and Analyst at The ITAM Review. Once you have pulled the deployment and entitlement data together, it must be compared to identify if there are any license shortfalls. However bear in mind that there may be several versions of data, particularly if the data gathering... 

This article has been contributed by Julie Machal‐Fulks, of Scott & Scott, LLP. Many enterprises are exploring virtual technology as a way to reduce both hardware and software technology costs related to IBM solutions. For disaster recovery, security, and resource allocation purposes, virtualization can present an attractive solution. However many organizations might reconsider virtualization... 

Great conversations were had at the UK SAM Networking event this week at Covent Garden. Connect with either Ian Preskett, David Phillips or the BCS to join future sessions. One popular topic was the recent changes to SQL licensing which are likely to affect many organizations. Paul DeGroot, Pica Communications An ITAM Review reader has kindly provided a brief synopsis of the changes. This is not licensing... 

You might know 1E for their NightWatchman brand, famous for switching off PCs at night when they are not in use and saving energy. 1E boasts some 16 million licenses across 1400 customers and the company claims that over 90% of their customers use the Microsoft SCCM platform for systems management. So it’s a logical step for a company focused on eliminating IT waste to take a look at software usage. AppClarity... 

This article has been contributed by Sandi Conrad of Conrad & Associates. Sandi is the author of the “SAM Starter Kit” published by The ITAM Review. When first setting up an asset management practice, determining which licenses can be proven as legal can be quite a challenge.  Many publishers now offer licenses on line, which eliminates a great deal of confusion when it comes to... 

This Quick Guide is available in PDF format – Simply subscribe to our free newsletter to receive a free copy instantly. Introduction Like most other software publishers, Adobe licensing is seen as a complex subject. With Adobe’s Volume Licensing Programs, the way to acquire software products has been made easier, and has become more transparent for software users and Adobe itself. Martin Thompson Martin...