How do you manage software inventory risks such as obsolescence, security, and compatibility issues?

It's crucial to manage and enforce security risks and compatibility reports through a SAM policy. Similar to any governance framework, these reports require regular review and updates to maintain their effectiveness.

Managing software inventory risks involves comprehensive strategies. Regular software audits identify outdated or vulnerable applications, allowing for timely updates or replacements. Robust security measures protect against unauthorized access and data breaches. Compatibility assessments ensure smooth software interactions and prevent performance issues. Additionally, effective license management optimizes software usage and avoids legal complications. By combining these approaches, organizations can mitigate risks, enhance security, and optimize software investments.

In addition to non-compliance reports, a SAM function should generate valuable reports to proactively manage software use: Blacklisted/Prohibited Software Inventory: Maintain a list of unauthorized software to continuously monitor deployments. Proactive steps like revoking admin rights, blocking download websites, and creating uninstall packages can be taken against such software. Counterfeit/Pirated Software Inventory: Utilize string-based searches for keywords or pirated license keys. Script-based approaches or custom agent configurations can aid in identifying counterfeit or pirated software. End-of-Life (EOL) Software Inventory: Identify software nearing the end of its lifecycle to ensure timely upgrades or replacements.

A good inventory is one that consolidates information from various data sources and systems as it ensures better coverage of assets. In the process of consolidating all your data sources, you may encounter inconsistencies in your data, which will lead you to improve the data quality and reliability.

You don't always need a dedicated SAM tool to get this information and manage obsolete or outdated versions. Most IT management tools (ITSM, etc.) offer this information out of the box. As a SAM manager, you should identify the easiest and most cost-effective way of collecting and leveraging this information.

Application dependency manager can be utilized to link software application with OS , middleware and backend DBs. Any type of version upgrade or deployment of alternative solution first needs to go through the compatibility and dependency test.

When it comes to server-side enterprise software that is installed on-prem, collecting all the required information for vendors like Microsoft, Oracle, Red Hat, SAP, etc., goes beyond the traditional SAM tool collection capabilities. This requires a more nuanced approach, combining advanced scanning technologies with manual inventory processes, to ensure comprehensive visibility into software usage, licensing compliance, and optimization opportunities.