Terms

SAM

Software Asset Management (SAM) is a business practice that involves managing and optimizing the purchase, deployment, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of software applications within an organization. The primary goals of SAM are to control IT costs, manage business and legal risks, and ensure compliance with software license agreements. By tracking software assets throughout their lifecycle, organizations can reduce waste, improve security, and make more informed decisions about their technology investments.

Historical Context of SAM

Software Asset Management emerged in the 1980s, driven by the widespread adoption of mass software in organizations. As businesses began using more applications, a structured approach to manage these digital assets became essential. This was the genesis of tracking software to control costs and ensure compliance.

The practice was later formalized by frameworks like ITIL, which standardized its principles across the industry. The introduction of ISO standards further solidified SAM's role within IT governance. Modern SAM continues to evolve with automation and cloud-based tools.

Applications and Use Cases of SAM

Software Asset Management provides critical functions that impact an organization's financial health, security posture, and operational agility. It offers a strategic approach to managing the entire software lifecycle, from procurement to retirement, delivering tangible benefits across the business.

  • Cost Savings: Reducing overspending on unused software licenses and optimizing maintenance renewals.
  • Compliance: Ensuring adherence to license agreements to avoid costly audits and legal penalties.
  • Security: Mitigating risks by tracking software versions, managing patches, and preventing unauthorized installations.
  • Efficiency: Automating inventory and deployment processes to streamline IT operations and resource allocation.

SAM vs. SaaS

While SAM is a management strategy, SaaS is a software delivery model, and they address different organizational needs.

  • SAM: This is a comprehensive process for managing software lifecycles. It excels at cost control and compliance, making it ideal for large enterprises with complex software portfolios, but it can be resource-intensive to implement and maintain.
  • SaaS: This model delivers software over the internet on a subscription basis. It offers scalability and lower upfront costs, appealing to mid-market companies and enterprises seeking agility, though it provides less direct control over the software environment.

Challenges and Limitations of SAM

While SAM offers significant benefits, its implementation is not without hurdles. Organizations often face operational complexities and resource constraints that can hinder its effectiveness. These challenges require careful planning and continuous effort to overcome.

  • Complexity: Managing a diverse software portfolio across on-premises and cloud environments is intricate. Aligning SAM processes with frameworks and ensuring constant compliance requires specialized knowledge and diligent oversight.
  • Resources: Effective SAM can be resource-intensive, often demanding a dedicated team and significant investment in tools. The ongoing effort to track assets, manage licenses, and conduct audits can strain IT budgets and personnel.

Future Developments in SAM

The future of SAM is moving towards greater intelligence and integration. As organizations increasingly adopt cloud services and complex software stacks, SAM platforms are evolving to provide more proactive and automated management.

  • Automation: Leveraging AI to proactively manage licenses, compliance, and cost optimization.
  • Cloud-centric: Shifting to cloud-hosted platforms to better manage SaaS and hybrid environments.
  • Integration: Deeper connections with IT Service Management (ITSM) and security tools for a unified view.

Frequently Asked Questions about SAM

Is SAM still relevant in a cloud-first world?

Absolutely. While SaaS simplifies deployment, it complicates cost and usage tracking. SAM provides the necessary oversight to manage SaaS sprawl, optimize subscriptions, and ensure you're only paying for what you actually use, preventing uncontrolled spending in cloud environments.

How can we justify the investment in a SAM program?

The ROI from a SAM program comes from direct cost savings on unused licenses, avoiding hefty non-compliance fines, and improving security. It shifts IT from a cost center to a strategic asset by providing clear data for better financial and operational decisions.

How does SAM integrate with other IT functions like security?

SAM is a cornerstone of IT security. By maintaining an accurate inventory of all software, it helps identify unauthorized applications, ensures timely patching of vulnerabilities, and supports security audits. This integration provides a comprehensive view of your organization's risk exposure.

Other terms

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System of Record

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User-generated Content

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Webhooks

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Webhooks

Application Performance Management

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Account-Based Sales

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Letter of Intent

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Buying Signal

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Accounts Payable

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ABM Orchestration

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Docker

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Content Management System

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Key Accounts

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Key Accounts

Headless CMS

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Custom API integration

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Customer Data Platform (CDP)

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Sales Intelligence

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Buying Criteria

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Sandboxes

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Sales Funnel

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Buying Committee

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Consultative Selling

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Customer Acquisition Cost

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Customer Acquisition Cost

Content Rights Management

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Net New Business

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Customer Relationship Marketing

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Expansion Revenue

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Account-Based Selling

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Enterprise Resource Planning

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Enterprise Resource Planning

Intent leads

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Intent leads

Demand

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Predictive Lead Generation

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Product-Led Growth

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Competitive Analysis

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SEO

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Lead Generation

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Progressive Web Apps

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Progressive Web Apps

Voice Broadcasting

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Revenue Forecasting

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Ideal Customer Profile

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Ideal Customer Profile

Marketing Attribution Model

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Net Revenue Retention (NRR)

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Net Revenue Retention (NRR)

Representational State Transfer Application Programming Interface

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Lead Scoring Models

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Sales Enablement

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Video Selling

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Channel Partner

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Order Management

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Sales Pipeline

A sales pipeline is a visual representation of where prospects are in the sales process, from the first contact to the final sale.

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Affiliate Marketing

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Personalization in Sales

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Point of Contact

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Sales Workflows

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Sales Workflows

Chatbots

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Chatbots

Contact Data

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Revenue Intelligence

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Sales Enablement Technology

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Sales Dashboard

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Business Continuity

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Inside Sales

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Sales Development Representative (SDR)

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Persona-Based Marketing

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Intent Data

Intent data tracks a user's online behavior—like searches and site visits—to identify signals that they are ready to make a purchase.

Intent Data

Cross-Selling

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Lead Routing

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Lead Routing

Programmatic Advertising

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Single Sign-On (SSO)

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Single Sign-On (SSO)

Event Tracking

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Event Tracking

Demand Generation Framework

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Demand Generation Framework

Marketing Qualified Account

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Operational CRM

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Total Addressable Market (TAM)

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Buyer Intent Data

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Sales Demo

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Performance Plan

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Product Recommendations

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Email Personalization

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Elevator Pitch

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Scrum

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Objection Handling

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Brag Book

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Sales and Marketing Analytics

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Landing Pages

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Consumer Relationship Management

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Lead Generation Software

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Marketing Operations

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Sales Development

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Average Revenue per User

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Canary Releases

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Lead Nurturing

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