Before starting the deployment of SAM , start by listing the objectives of this deployment , answer the question , why do I want to deploy SAM ?
Below some Goals :
- Control software Inventory purchased and used
- Reduce the cost of purchasing and managing software assets
- Manage the software asset lifecycle
- Achieve compliance with relevant standards and regulations
- Improve IT services to end users
- Create or improve standards & processes for managing
Now that you have the goals listed per priority . Consider this a common practice for implementing and maturing a software asset management program.
The four tiers are:
1-Trustworthy Data : Understand what data you have
2- Practical Management : Improvement management controls and drive immediate benefits
3- Operational Integration : Integration with other areas
4- Strategic Conformance : Achieve best in-class.
If the priority is to Control software inventory & reduce costs and not the Improve IT services to end Users , the starting point of the roadmap would for example :
1- Activate the discovery sources to auto feed the ServiceNow instance :
ServiceNow Discovery for data centers & SCCM for desktops .
2- Identify all undiscoverable assets & load the data
3- Prepare the loading of entitlements , software models & contracts
4- Define the needed Reports & Dashboards : You cannot manage what you do not measure
