This is the second of two posts related to the challenges SMBs often encounter finding asset management software that matches their functional requirements, resource limitations, and budgets.  You can read the first post in the series here.

In this post I’ll explore five functional areas where SMBs have been underserved both by large, enterprise-oriented suites, as well as by the more basic, lower-cost computer inventory products.

1) License management capabilities

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Small- to mid-sized businesses (SMBs) don’t have it particularly easy when it comes to implementing IT solutions; they’re cursed by their need for capabilities similar in sophistication to those delivered by larger enterprise-oriented solutions.  However, because of their smaller size, they generally can’t dedicate the same level of resources, whether financial or human, to investing in and managing complex framework products.  The discipline of software asset management (SAM) is no exception to the SMB dilemma. 

In our ten years of focusing on software asset management, we’ve observed that small- and mid-sized companies have been perpetually underserved by the vast majority of SAM products.  The tools market is comprised primarily of:

1) Large enterprise-oriented solutions that are difficult and costly to deploy and manage, and tend to “bolt” SAM features on to a broad suite of functionalities such as help desk, deployment, and/or configuration management.  These products are offered by some of the biggest software titans (Microsoft, BMC, CA, etc.) who endeavor to deliver entire portfolios of IT solutions to their customers.  Because SAM is typically secondary to these companies’ more profitable areas of focus, such solutions frequently lack the domain expertise and dedicated support required for SMB customers to be successful in their SAM initiatives.     

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Ever wondered why on earth software identification is so difficult to do properly?  What’s the most accurate method of identification: registry analysis, file header analysis, or software catalogs?  When will software tagging become a reality?

Join me for a webinar I’ll be hosting next Wed, October 13, at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern that will cover everything you need to know about software identification and how it relates to your software asset management efforts.  The webinar will be a sneak preview of the presentation I’m delivering at the IAITAM Conference in Nashville during the 3rd week of October, so please bring your most challenging questions so I can fine-tune my presentation accordingly.

Here are just a few of the topics I’ll discuss: (more…)

For most IT pros, it’s a constant struggle to manage their organization’s software licenses. In fact, just getting an accurate inventory of what’s installed requires a Herculean effort. But here’s the dirty little secret: software license management doesn’t need to be such a challenge.

This month, we’re offering a series of free webinars that can help you get a better handle on your organization’s software licenses, so you know exactly what’s installed, how it’s being used, and whether it’s legal. Don’t miss out!

1)  Software Identification: Understanding the Various Methodologies (And Why It Matters)
Wed, October 13: 11am Pacific, 2pm Eastern  (*** REGISTER NOW ***)

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Finding the right software license management technology is hard enough. It’s even more challenging if your network environment includes servers running Citrix or Windows Terminal Server (WTS), as precious few tools provide usage statistics or management capabilities for applications delivered through these platforms.

To manage software in a Citrix or WTS environment, you need technology that collects software usage data not only at the server level, but also at the end-user and machine level.  And in order to effectively manage license compliance, you’ll want to explore capabilities that allow you to control in an automated fashion which end users and/or machines can run those licensed applications.

There are three software license types you need to consider in Citrix or WTS environments, each of which requires a different approach to license management. (more…)