ARTICLE: Why SAM Projects Fail - Imbalance Between 'Customized' and 'Off-the-shelf' SAM Software (Part 4/8)

17 March 2009
3 minute read
Best practice

ARTICLE: Why SAM Projects Fail - Imbalance Between 'Customized' and 'Off-the-shelf' SAM Software (Part 4/8)

17 March 2009
3 minute read

This article has been kindly contributed by Phara McLachlan of Animus Solutions.

The ITIL Guide to SAM highlights several possible problems that may arise when implementing Software Asset Management projects. In this series we look at some of those issues and how organisations can address them using Phara’s hands-on experience.

Part One – Conflict with Decentralisation Culture
Part Two – Lack of Senior Management Support
Part Three – Lack of Clear Responsibilities
Part Four – Customized vs. Off-the-shelf SAM Software
Part Five – Poor Communication
Part Six – Lack of End User Support
Part Seven – Underestimating Software Recognition
Part Eight – Legal Requirements

Why do Software Asset Management projects fail?

In this part we take a look at the imbalance that may occur between ‘Customized’ and ‘Off-the-shelf’ software asset management applications.

An organisation should look at its own unique requirements before selecting a SAM tool, however if it turns out that those requirements cannot be met using SAM tools on the market without customization – then perhaps the original requirements should be reviewed. This might mean using a combination of tools.

It’s not unusual for companies to buy off the shelf software and make slight tweaks or even major customizations to it, which I have never understood. There are so many choices to select from that most companies should be able to select off the shelf software that has all the functionality they need.

My best advice for off the shelf software is to make certain you have a solution that’s robust to fit all your needs. Simple, but absolutely true. It takes a lot of initial research and asking of questions prior to procurement, but it will save time, money and other resources in the long-term.

On the other hand, when you develop proprietary technology from the ground up, it means that support, maintenance and upgrades falls solely on your shoulders. There won’t even be a user group to turn to when issues arise. Another major issue is the fact that the knowledge base can be lost at any given time as employees leave or are reassigned. When a person leaves the group, his or her knowledge can be passed along, but it’s likely that there will be knowledge gaps if their detailed documentation does not exist. The one, vital piece of advice I would give companies developing customized software is to ensure inter-departmental cooperation and to strictly enforce policies and processes across the enterprise.

Between off the shelf and customized software, I would counsel most companies to find an off the shelf SAM software.

Photo Credit

What are your experiences with off-the-shelf versus customized SAM solutions? please contact us to share your experiences.

About Martin Thompson

Martin is the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the advancement of IT Asset Management.

He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.

Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

  • news post 1 Resources

    An Introduction to Scope 4 Emissions

    Executive Summary For ITAM teams, sustainability is a core responsibility and opportunity. Managing hardware, software, and cloud resources now comes with the ability to track, reduce, and report carbon emissions. Understanding emission scopes—from direct operational emissions ...
    Read More
  • news post 1 AI

    AI and ITAM: State of Play 2024 Research Report

    In 2024, the ITAM Forum and General Interfaces conducted a global survey (On behalf of the ITAM Forum’s AI+ITAM Working Group) targeting ITAM practitioners, executives, and stakeholders to explore the growing influence of AI on the ...
    Read More
  • news post 1 ITAM News & Analysis

    Will 'Sustainable IT' be Caught in the Crossfire?

    In the days immediately following his inauguration, President Trump and his team declared war on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs at the federal level. The impact has been felt far and wide. Many government contractors ...
    Read More
  • news post 1 AI

    Are we ready for outcome-based pricing?

    When I first joined the ITAM industry (which feels like a million years ago), the predominant licensing metric in the market was per device. So, if you have three devices, you need three licenses. Then, with ...
    Read More