Hand Book! To Kick Start the Software Asset Management (SAM)

[ersureshbe]

Use Case:
To kick start the Software Asset Management programme, what prerequisites must be considered, and what areas should we prioritize?

Solution:
ServiceNow offers a plug-and-play solution for Software Asset Management. However, for it to operate successfully, the accuracy of your data is crucial, and certain configurations must be enabled to enhance the software management solution using Out-Of-Box features.

Data Accuracy:
1. Assess the maturity of the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) by gathering scores for Compliance, Correctness, and Completeness, ensuring that each score exceeds 85%.
2. Establish foundational data, including User, Company, Department, and Location.
3. Review the CMDB workspace to identify issues such as Duplicate Configuration Items (CIs) and Stale CIs.

Software Entitlement Details:
1. Evaluate the readiness of the data for the Software Model.
2. Compile and organize a list of Entitlements using the Entitlement template available in the Software Asset Workspace.
3. Gather and prepare cost information for each software model, including the unit cost for each entitlement.
4. Discuss and establish the syntax for Asset Tags, for example, COMUS10001, where COM represents the Company Name and US indicates the Geography or Serial number of each entitlement.
5. Record the contract dates associated with each entitlement and Software Model.
6. Configure the software lifecycle within the context of the software model.

SAM Success Goal & Activities:
1. Develop a comprehensive list of Software Asset Management (SAM) goals along with the related activities.

Integration:
1. Integration details for publishers, such as Microsoft.
2. Refine the current integrations, including SCCM, Intune, Discovery, and Custom Integration, while ensuring the accuracy of incoming data.

Procurement - Proactive(Stock Room) & Reactive (Catalog & Workflows)
1. Specify the variables necessary for configuration within Software Catalogues and Workflows, including Approvals and Task Creations.
2. Create a list of software stock rooms along with the designated Manager for each room.
3. Define stock rules for software, utilizing the software model, stock room, threshold values, and refill procedures.

Generic:
1. Identify Resolver Groups for Software Managers, Procurement Administrators, and the associated member list.

Plugins:
https://www.servicenow.com/community/sam-blog/how-to-request-and-install-software-asset-management-s...

Regards,

Suresh.