The short answer is yes.
There are some misconceptions out there on the definition of asset IT, particularly when it comes to cloud services.
Why the confusion? Cloud services are a subscription-based model that uses pay-as-you-go. This means the applications are ‘rented’ rather than owned, leaving plenty of businesses to assume management of the software isn’t necessary. Afterall, the subscription model allows for you to perpetually have the right to use the software.
The cracks in the foundation come from owning, not owning, entitlement, or no entitlement to the software.
So, what remains consistent? Ownership and entitlement are not the prerequisites for a software application to be considered an asset. Instead, the cloud measures assets through used and unused subscriptions. If these subscriptions are used, the applications add value to the business. Even unused subscriptions have the potential to be valuable. But if they remain unmanaged the biggest consequence would be wasting company time and money.
The Cloud and SAM
Any cloud software falls in the realm of software asset management. This is because the core components of SAM are management and monitoring. This goes hand-in-hand with the discipline it takes to track the usage or consumption of cloud applications. Especially so as businesses grow and adopt more online services.
Where to go from here?
A regular review of your organization will help generate new strategies and plans for getting the best from the applications you are running and using. Most importantly, your business can become more cost effective when using SAM with your cloud services.
SAM can help identify key factors in cost efficiencies:
- Identify lapsed users. People are leaving and joining organizations, so you need to cancel subscriptions and add new ones. If you don’t cancel the “leavers” quickly then you will be wasting subscriptions.
- Some users will not be using key facilities that their job requires them to use because they are using other services rather than those in Office365 e.g. they could be using Skype for business but instead use an alternative service that is being paid for. In such cases it makes sense to cancel the duplicate service and take measures to move to the Office 365 facility.
- User may be unable to use certain facilities because they have either not been trained or the service has not been provisioned. In such cases an action plan to remedy the situation can be developed for implementation and the users will become more effective in their daily work.
- In some cases, users may simply be on the wrong level of subscription.
TBSC as your SAM
TBSC’s process, or our Smarter process, helps your business with management, monitoring, and cost.
TBSC ensures you gain the best technology depending on your application needs but has the bonus of providing processes to make SAM easier. We also provide support in data analysis and can give you the best advice on what to do with your technology whilst providing beneficial cost savings.
For more information please visit our website: https://tbsc.cloud/ or email a member of our sales team: sales@businesssoftwarecentre.com
