Software Asset Management

[Sundayjumper]

You lot all work in IT, does anyone have experience with this ? I've just been talked into the the job of "Software Asset Management Administrator" despite having zero experience of it

A large and very complicated secure site is having a new system rolled out over the next couple of years. We're going to use Flexera apparently. All new to me. I've read the Wiki page on SAM, that'll do for now. I'll wing the rest of it

[NotoriousREV]

Wherever possible use open source software so you don’t need to bother managing your licences. HTH.

[Sundayjumper]

I don’t get to choose the software unfortunately.

Microsoft and Oracle are firmly ingrained. Something like 9000 users across two sites. And then there’s hundreds (yes, really) of specialist technical doo-dads. It’s a unique place in terms of the work going on. It’s going to be hellishly complicated.

[NotoriousREV]

In that case, run away screaming. I hate Microsoft licenses. Pay £150k for a SQL Enterprise licence, then £20 a pop for every person that will access the data, unless it’s through a web interface, except if their hair is blonde, or it’s a Tuesday in which case you’ll need a server licence and the petals of the rarest blue flower from the foothills of Everest. And when you’ve done all that, we’ll send you a letter from the BSA alleging you’re using your licences wrong and demand a full audit anyway.

[Sundayjumper]

Ah. So I guess this is why they gave it to a total muppet like me - all the experts already ran away screaming.

[NotoriousREV]

To be fair, if you’re more detail oriented than I am (and I think you are!), it’ll be fine. I just get pissed off with Microsoft because they could easily implement asset and licence management via Active Directory and make it really straightforward but they choose to make it difficult because it’s an income stream.