As software asset management (SAM) experts, we keep an eye on the industry to see what the trends are and where the industry may be going. Analyzing reports and speaking with our vendor partners is part of this. With the growth in cloud services and the rise in cyber-attacks, a comprehensive SAM program has never been more important. In addition to managing software assets, a SAM program is helpful for monitoring all subscriptions for accurate pricing and legitimate deployment. Without a SAM program, a business runs the risk of deploying compromised software or paying too much for too many subscriptions.  

What the research is saying

Gartner recently published their annual Magic Quadrant report for SAM Managed Services. In this report, Gartner evaluates and compares the top global SAM providers. The criteria for inclusion in their report are based on multiple factors including revenue, services scope, and geographical reach. Connor is not yet in the report. Most of the companies included have analyst relationships with Gartner that we don’t yet have. However, we plan to in the future.  

Gartner identified several trends they are expecting to see into 2023:

• Expanding software portfolios, advanced adoption of SaaS, continued growth in device quantities fuelled by IoT, growth of RPA fuelled by digital initiatives, complex use cases, and ambiguous use rights all increase demands on SAM
• By 2025, 40% of organizations will utilize continuous software asset management managed services from third parties for at least part of their software estate
• Through 2024, 60% of enterprises will underestimate cloud infrastructure and platform services consumption rates. This will lead to higher costs and missed opportunities for savings
• By 2024, 40% of enterprises will use software asset management as the primary mechanism for reducing SaaS contract costs with “dominant” vendors.

Effective SAM takes more than just a good tool or a great partner. Gartner states, “Recruiting, retaining or developing skills and discipline that address the breadth of portfolio, depth of complexity, and the nuanced and niche proficiency of effective SAM remains difficult within a discrete in-house operation.”  

In other words, many businesses think that simply enacting a SAM program and working with a third party every couple of years makes for an effective program. However, for a comprehensive program with a great return on investment (ROI), your program needs to be well-designed, include a skilled partner and stakeholders to implement, and be monitored regularly.  

Incorporating SAM is the future

With the changes the pandemic has brought, and new technology propels, SAM is evolving. SAM has always fit into the larger picture for a business but now it is being recognized as a critical component of cyber security, FinOps, and other business strategies. This is because SAM provides benefit to all these strategies.  

According to the Gartner report, over 30% of SAM managed services they assessed incorporated FinOps services. Internal SAM functions often stretched to deliver on expectations, appear less likely to take on the management duties of FinOps. Meaning, that while SAM is helpful to FinOps, it cannot replace it, or vice versa. Furthermore, SAM and FinOps also “contribute to environmental sustainability initiatives, supporting the analysis of specifications, efficiency, carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions of providers as key inputs to delivering on the enterprise’s environmental sustainability objectives,” according to Gartner.  

In addition to FinOps, SAM is useful when expanding software portfolios, advancing the adoption of SaaS applications, continuing the growth in device quantities fuelled by IoT, growth of RPA fuelled by digital initiatives, complex use cases, and ambiguous use rights all from open-source software. Essentially, as we continue to adapt to new ways of doing business and adopt more and more technology, SAM helps keep it all in order and managed.  

Modern SAM providers recognize this and are integrating SAM practices into all these different areas to maintain order for businesses and avoid noncompliance and/or security vulnerabilities.  

Connor, your partner for success 

Having an effective SAM process allows you to take corrective action when you do find an issue with your assets as quickly as possible.  

By partnering with Connor, you have the benefit of working with a partner that is an expert in SAM and prides itself on being able to produce the greatest ROI for your organization. 

With the high frequency of cyber security attacks following the pandemic, as well as cloud adoption and tech transformation, now is the time to embrace a SAM program, or upgrade your SAM program. Schedule a time to meet with one of our SAM experts to learn more about how Connor can help you prepare for the future of business.

To learn more about our SAM services or to speak to an expert, please email us at softwareadvisoryservices@connor-consulting.com. 

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