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      Insights from Software Asset Management

      As Chief Information Officers (CIOs) are increasingly tasked with not only ‘keeping the lights on’ but leveraging technology to fuel business growth through digital transformation, the insights from Software Asset Management (SAM) are vital to their strategic decision-making.

      To facilitate this, the CIO will need direct advice from the SAM manager. If the SAM Manager brings technical and commercial acumen, and can demonstrate a clear link to the organisation’s future technology needs, KPMG believes there is a natural career progression for the SAM Manager to become the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), reporting to the CIO.

      This is how KPMG see the role of the SAM manager evolving to that point.

      The Software Asset Management leader of the future

      The essential skillsets for success:

      • Tech visionary

        They'll shift from managing vendor relationships from a commercial/licensing perspective to being a broker between the vendor and the business. They'll synthesise new technology information and internal software usabe patterns to identify digital transformation opportunities

      • Change champion

        Instead of reacting to organisational change initiatives, they'll become an advocate for digital transformation.

      • Niche negotiator

        Now they negotiate with software vendors to gain the best commercial licencing deals, next they'll leverage the diverse interfaces of Software Asset Management to build coalitions and support with the organisation to drive digital transformation.

      • Risk mitigator

        The Software Asset Manager will move from focusing on licence non-compliance and software end-of-life to cyber, privacy, data governance and financial risks.

      • Data driven decision-maker

        They'll evolve from using data to manage software compliance to driving a culture of data driven decision-making. They'll leverage data analysis and reconciliation skills to extract insights to support change programs.

      More Software Asset Management insights

      Toyota Finance Australia’s Colin Mapp discusses how SAM provides confidence in risk management and cost consolidation of purchased software.
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      Paul Dobing shares his experience as a university’s IT director, on how SAM helped the CIO balance managing costs while building trust with end users.
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      Craig Wishart, CIO of KPMG Australia, discusses why having complete visibility over all software, licences, compliance and costs is essential.
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      It’s one thing to track and monitor software use in an organisation, but without defined roles, governance and KPIs, the effort won’t add value.
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      Software use is extensive across organisations, and vendors have their eye out for compliance, so we explore how to take control and mitigate risks.
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      The functions of ITAM and ITSM get mixed up, but there are good reasons why each should have its own roles and responsibilities.
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      Prolific and unchecked software use equals more cyber risk exposure, so having strong controls in place is essential to keep this in check.
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      The most effective approach to Software Asset Management is when hard controls are supported by soft controls, to cover structure and behaviours.
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      Get in touch

      Edwin Davis
      Edwin Davis

      Partner, Contract Assurance & Performance

      KPMG Australia

      Software use is extensive across organisations, and vendors have their eye out for compliance, so we explore how to take control and mitigate risks.
      Read more