SAM Suite
Software Portfolio Analysis
What is Software Portfolio Analysis?
The Bytes Software Portfolio Analysis offering is an "off the shelf" engagement developed to help to provide you with the information to fully understand your compliance position and the strategies required to address any anomalies.
In most organisations, getting visibility of what you own and the associated usage rights is often problematic. Equally, in today's dynamically changing IT environments, software usage and deployment may quickly get out of control if policies are not in place or processes are not adhered to control installation.
License position awareness and positive resolution
Bytes engagement will provide you with:
- A complete analysis of the software installed across your server and desktop estate.
- A breakdown of software ownership for your chosen vendors.
- Collection and verification of any license evidence available in the form of non-volume purchases e.g. boxed products.
- A comparison and analysis of installed software against software owned, taking account of upgrade and downgrade rights where applicable. This will highlight areas of over and under licensing by vendor, product and version.
- Recommendations how to address any shortfalls in the most cost effective manner.
- Suggestions on how to improve software contracts to increase purchasing discount levels and simplify contract management.
Engagement Outline
A Software Portfolio Analysis engagement with Bytes is initiated with a period of "Due Diligence" to confirm the availability of license evidence and capability of "Discovery" technology in place so the configuration of the network infrastructure if a new tool is to be deployed by Bytes. Following this as shown in the diagram inventory and entitlement data can be gathered ahead of producing the final License Position Report detailing any over or under licensing.
In addition to preparing a Licensing Position Report the customer also has the option of verifying the results with vendors such as Microsoft and Adobe. This provides the added benefit of vendor certification protecting the organisation from an enforced audit and as such potential for unbudgeted expenditure.
Customer Benefits
On the road to effective license management and cost savings
Having completed an analysis of their software portfolio customers will be in a clear position and understanding of their compliance risks, identified opportunities for improving software contracts, have the information available to avoid purchasing software for which they already have surplus licenses and gain certification from key vendors. Having achieved a clear baseline Bytes can work with organisations to ensure they remain complaint. This could entail looking at procurement processes, software usage policies, and ongoing license reporting amongst other organisational, technology and purchasing strategy choices.
SAM Proposition Elements
included in this Suite:
- Inventory Reporting
- Entitlement Statement
- Portfolio Analysis
