The importance of effective software management

Software needs to be seen within companies as any other valuable resource, requiring effective asset management to prevent wasted investments or even future depreciation. Unfortunately, it is possible to see that some organizations only pay attention to this need when a crisis arises, which can lead to serious problems for their business. To this end, programs such as Software Asset Management (SAM) already support IT managers when the need is to reduce costs and increase the efficiency of their technological environment.

 

To clarify, what constitutes a software asset is its right to use it or its license, which must be documented through contract, licensing documentation and invoice.  

 

In addition to unnecessary expenses, by failing to promote software asset management, the organization is vulnerable to the risks of piracy. It is important that there is awareness on the part of entrepreneurs that the illegality or non-compliance of software can generate serious problems for companies, both in the IT area and in the legal sphere. The use of pirated software can lead to high fines, compensation for disrespecting intellectual property and the penalty of up to four years in prison for the person responsible. As for losses in the IT area, the use of irregular software can cause damage to the organization's systems and expose sensitive information to hackers.  

 

Another point in relation to piracy is the issue of unfair competition that the company practices by not adopting legal products. An organization that does not pay for the rights to its systems ends up having a false financial advantage over its competitors. The estimated loss caused by this amounts to 20 thousand work positions and more than US$ 2 billion a year. If this is discovered in an audit, the company could lose international contracts in addition to fines and damages of up to 3,000 times the license value. 

 

To clarify all doubts about this subject, the Brazilian Association of Software Companies (ABES) offers the Software Asset Management Manual free of charge on its website http://www.abessoftware.com.br/manual/. This document explains in detail the four steps to start a software asset management process, divided into: Inventory; Proof of License Ownership; Continuous Compliance Verification; Software Asset Inventory Management. The current version also addresses all these aspects in multinational companies, with their peculiarities of operation in several countries, and in hosting companies, clarifying the responsibilities of these suppliers and their customers. The entity also offers a free interactive mobile application of the manual on iTunes. 

 

The purpose of this manual is to explain to entrepreneurs, IT managers, small and medium-sized entrepreneurs how important it is to implement effective software management in organizations. By following the best market practices, entrepreneurs are able to maintain the best performance of their businesses, strengthening the sector as a whole and also the country's economy. 

 

 

Jorge Sukarie, President of ABES