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Implementing an ITAM best practice framework

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Anthony FitzgeraldITAM Consultant
Asset Management

IT Asset Management (ITAM) can be an extremely complex and difficult project to implement. Various challenges ranging from Management buy-in, limited resource, lack of spend can all make implementing a new framework difficult, time consuming and costly.

This is where IEC/ISO19770-1 and the soon to be published IEC/ISO19770-10 guidance standard can help. The international standard defines an ITAM model that helps organisations create an effective ITAM strategy based upon mature policies, processes and controls. It helps organisations to make better business decisions based upon trustworthy data, unlocking the true value of ITAM.

This blog provides a summary of the ITAM standard and how it can assist you in building better ITAM processes and controls.

A brief introduction

IEC/ISO19770-1

ISO-19770-1 was first introduced to the world in 2006 as the Software Asset Management (SAM) standard. Focused primarily on SAM processes, it aimed to provide a framework in which software and related assets could be effectively managed. More changes occurred in 2012 with the introduction of a tiering approach to accreditation but in 2017, a major remodeling of the standard happened.  Firstly, the standard was changed to ITAM to ensure all IT assets are in-scope. Secondly, the categorisation of the framework was updated to cover seven major areas including Planning, Leadership and Organisation. Finally, the standard now conforms to the ISO Management System Standards (MSS) alongside the likes of ISO27001 Info-Sec.

IEC/ISO19770-10

The upcoming ISO19770-10 has been written by ITAM specialists to provide a highly usable guidance for implementing ITAM and based upon market demands including survey and validation activities, it meets a specific gap in the industry. The target audience is any organisation wishing to improve its own existing ITAM functions. The guidance standard will provide clarity on the requirements of the main framework, providing context, considerations, recommendations and will help to establish controls and criteria.

The future of SAM

The benefits of ITAM

There are a number of key benefits to implementing ITAM and adopting ISO19770-1. These include

  1. Time & cost savings
  2. Enhanced security
  3. Software license compliance
  4. Agility in processes & operations
  5. Reduced risk
  6. Trustworthy data
  7. The ability to demonstrate good governance & controls
  8. Enhanced strategy
  9. Improved credibility with decision makers
  10. Ability to make better informed business decisions.

Start defining your ITAM strategy today

When it comes to implementing an ITAM strategy, there can be many challenges and issues along the way. By adopting ITAM best practice allows organisations to better understand its IT estate by defining quality processes which can mature and provide real business benefits.

All organisations need to tackle ITAM. SoftwareOne’s SLM Diagnostic service can help in this regard. Its Maturity Assessment is an in-depth investigation into an organisations internal ITAM policies and processes. It identifies the areas which pose the biggest challenges and highlights the improvement opportunities. Our newly developed Diagnostics platform also provides customers with instant access to its results and helps to build out actionable improvement plans for the future.

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Let us do all the work

We know that your software estate is expensive and complicated but our Software Asset Management (SAM) practice works with you to provide the people, process and tools to manage, optimize and create business advantage throughout your hybrid world. Cloud users are wasting approximately 35% of their spend – let us help you avoid the waste.

Let us do all the work

We know that your software estate is expensive and complicated but our Software Asset Management (SAM) practice works with you to provide the people, process and tools to manage, optimize and create business advantage throughout your hybrid world. Cloud users are wasting approximately 35% of their spend – let us help you avoid the waste.

Author

A silhouette of a person on a white background.

Anthony Fitzgerald
ITAM Consultant

IT Asset Management