Description
You’ve implemented SAM tooling and established basic reporting, yet software compliance and control still feel reactive. Licences are purchased without consistent governance, deployments drift from entitlement, and audits consume time and resources while exposing gaps in process and ownership. Asset data is unreliable, responsibilities are unclear, and SAM activity is driven by vendor pressure rather than business need. Without defined foundational lifecycle and governance processes, SAM provides insight into risk but limited ability to manage it.
The ITAM Accelerate SAM Foundation Process Kit delivers ISO‑19770-1 aligned, end‑to‑end software asset lifecycle and governance processes that establish control from request and procurement through deployment, management, and retirement. These foundational processes create clear ownership, reliable licence positions, and auditable evidence — enabling organisations to reduce compliance risk, improve cost transparency, and respond confidently to vendor audits. Fully modelled and customisable, the kit provides a practical SAM operating framework that underpins effective governance and supports future SAM maturity.
“All companies are software companies” Satya Nadella – CEO, Microsoft
What's Inside
01 | GETTING STARTED
| Topic |
Page |
| About the Authors |
5 |
| Acknowledgements |
7 |
| What’s New? |
8 |
| Introduction |
9 |
| Introducing ARIS |
11 |
| Make the Process Maps Your Own |
12 |
| ARIS Process Map Glossary |
12 |
| Why is Software Asset Management Important? |
13 |
| Introducing ISO 19770-1:2017 |
15 |
| What is a Software Asset? |
17 |
| The Software Lifecycle |
18 |
| Why is SAM so Hard? |
19 |
| The Bermuda Triangle of SAM |
19 |
| Kick-starting Your SAM Programme |
20 |
| Tooling |
21 |
| People and Partners |
22 |
| Prioritising Your SAM Processes |
24 |
| Using the SAM and HAM Process Kits Together |
24 |
| Introducing ITAM Accelerate |
02 | SOFTWARE ASSET MANAGEMENT PROCESSES
16 comprehensive Software Asset Management processes covering the software lifecycle, from requests and procurement to deployment, licence optimisation, data management and governance.
For a full list and description of each process, please see the Process Summaries tab.
03 | PERFORMANCE & REFERENCE
| Topic |
Page |
| Suggested Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) |
134 |
| Conclusion |
138 |
| Glossary & Definitions |
Process Summaries
The SAM Process Kit provides 16 practical, structured processes covering the software asset lifecycle, from procurement and deployment to licence optimisation, compliance, governance and reporting. Each process supports greater control, cost efficiency and effective software asset management.
1. Software Request
Streamlines software requests through effective licence availability checks, reducing unnecessary purchasing and enabling faster fulfilment and potential automation.
2. Software Procurement
Ensures software purchases follow established procurement controls, with accurate proof of entitlement to support licence, subscription and maintenance management.
3. Software Packaging
Establishes procedures for preparing, testing and validating software packages, ensuring correct versions are installed and software can be reliably uninstalled.
4. Software Deployment
Tracks software installations and reconciles deployments against available licences, supporting compliance and avoiding unnecessary expenditure.
5. Software Recycling and Licence Optimisation
Identifies opportunities to reclaim unused software, adjust subscription levels and optimise licensing arrangements to reduce costs and maximise value.
6. Licence Pool Management
Maintains an accurate view of available and allocated licences, balancing software demand with compliance requirements and purchasing efficiency.
7. Software Removal
Provides a structured approach to removing unwanted, obsolete or unsupported software, improving operational efficiency and reducing cybersecurity risks.
8. Joiners, Movers and Leavers (JML)
Aligns software allocation with the employee lifecycle, ensuring appropriate access and the timely recovery or cancellation of licences and subscriptions.
9. Maintain a Supported Software Catalogue
Establishes and maintains an approved software catalogue, reducing unnecessary applications, simplifying support and strengthening security and vendor negotiations.
10. Software Asset Data Validation
Ensures software asset information meets defined quality standards before entering the SAM system, improving data reliability and supporting accurate decision-making.
11. Orphan Data
Identifies and reconciles unrecognised software, contracts and entitlements, restoring accurate relationships between purchases, deployments and licensing records.
12. Reporting
Establishes consistent processes for delivering scheduled and ad-hoc software asset reports, ensuring stakeholders receive accurate, relevant and appropriately authorised information.
13. Entitlement Importation
Ensures accurate licence entitlement data, supported by proof of entitlement, is imported into the SAM system to support compliance and licence management.
14. Inventory Importation
Establishes controls for importing reliable software inventory data, enabling accurate reconciliation between software installations and licence entitlements.
15. Corporate Governance
Defines the organisation’s ITAM vision, strategy and policy, establishing a clear framework for accountability, management support and effective software asset governance.
16. Create and Maintain an ITAM Plan
Provides a structured approach to defining ITAM objectives, assessing risks and identifying the processes, resources and tools required to implement and maintain an effective asset management system.
