How do you integrate software license management with your IT asset management and security systems?

1 Define your software inventory

The first step is to define your software inventory, which includes all the applications, versions, and licenses that you have installed, used, or purchased. You can use tools such as IT asset management (ITAM) software, network scanners, or inventory scripts to collect and update this information. You should also document the license terms, conditions, and expiration dates for each software product.

2 Track your software usage

The next step is to track your software usage, which means monitoring how often and by whom the software is accessed, activated, or deactivated. You can use tools such as software metering, audit logs, or user surveys to measure and report this data. This will help you identify unused, underused, or overused software, and optimize your license allocation and compliance.

3 Manage your software lifecycle

The third step is to manage your software lifecycle, which means planning, deploying, updating, and retiring your software products. You can use tools such as software deployment, patch management, or configuration management to automate and control these tasks. You should also align your software lifecycle with your security policies and procedures, such as vulnerability scanning, antivirus protection, or encryption.

4 Review your software performance

The fourth step is to review your software performance, which means evaluating the quality, reliability, and efficiency of your software products. You can use tools such as performance monitoring, testing, or feedback to collect and analyze this data. This will help you identify and resolve any issues, problems, or errors that may affect your software functionality or user satisfaction.

5 Optimize your software spending

The fifth step is to optimize your software spending, which means reducing your costs and maximizing your value from your software investments. You can use tools such as software asset management (SAM) software, budgeting, or negotiation to manage and optimize this aspect. You should also compare your software spending with your software usage and performance, and adjust your license purchases or renewals accordingly.

6 Report your software status

The final step is to report your software status, which means communicating and documenting your software inventory, usage, lifecycle, performance, and spending. You can use tools such as dashboards, reports, or audits to generate and share this information. This will help you demonstrate your software license compliance, security, and efficiency to your stakeholders, such as vendors, auditors, or managers.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?