Business Software Alliance Introduces First ISO Aligned Software Asset Management (SAM) Program

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Business Software Alliance (BSA) today announced the introduction of SAM Advantage, a first of its kind software asset management training course and certification. The course, which aligns to International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines, provides in-depth training on effective management of IT assets – serving as a crucial tool in helping organizations maximize their technology investments.

SAM Advantage enables users to build a best practice standards-based SAM program to manage their software assets, increase IT efficiencies, control costs, and identify and reduce IT risks. Upon successfully completing SAM Advantage and its associated assessments, individuals are recognized as Certified Software Management Professionals (CSMPs). The course is fully aligned with the global ISO/IEC 19770-1 software asset management standard.

"SAM Advantage is truly an industry-first program that provides IT professionals the confidence and understanding of the processes required to implement industry leading SAM programs and practices," said Jodie Kelley, BSA's vice president of anti-piracy and general counsel. "This product was developed as a collaborative effort by practitioners and created in conjunction with the experience and expertise of software vendors throughout the IT industry. SAM Advantage is easily adaptable to an organization's unique needs and ensures users an independent and widely accepted product."

The CSMP is the only certification that recognizes expertise in setting a global, standards-based SAM program and is supported by the business software industry and the BSA. Completion of the program confirms a professional's mastery of the processes required to implement ISO/IEC 19770-1 aligned SAM programs, allows them to work across multiple software platforms, and provides an understanding of the business and technical issues facing organizations in a broad range of industries.

The product is currently being offered in English worldwide. In 2011, BSA plans to broaden distribution of SAM Advantage by making the course available in multiple languages.

"SAM Advantage is a significant and welcome development for the IT industry," said David Bicket, Convener of ISO/IEC JTC1 SC7 WG21, responsible for SAM standards. "Having a SAM program aligned to the global ISO standard really sets SAM Advantage apart, offering an effective solution to managing software, balancing costs and reducing risks. Becoming certified as a CSMP can also increase an individual's value within the industry and enhance their credibility as a software asset manager."

SAM Advantage offers a tiered structure that allows organizations the freedom to pace their SAM adoption and the flexibility to build a SAM program tailored to their unique needs. The first Tier helps organizations obtain trustworthy SAM data, facilitating license compliance, while the second Tier focuses on quick win cost optimizations and creating a structured control environment for software assets. Tier 3 ensures that the SAM program works to improve efficiency and effectiveness of the organization's existing operations and services. The final step, Tier 4, covers more complex asset types and deeper embedded operations, fully integrating license compliance into a cost savings control environment that ensures SAM supports the entire business.

About BSA

The Business Software Alliance (www.bsa.org) is the foremost organization dedicated to promoting a safe and legal digital world.  BSA is the voice of the world's commercial software industry and its hardware partners before governments and in the international marketplace.  Its members represent one of the fastest growing industries in the world.  BSA programs foster technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.  BSA members include Adobe, Altium, Apple, Autodesk, Aveva, Bentley Systems, Corel, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation, Microsoft, Minitab, Progress Software, Quark, Quest Software, Rosetta Stone, Siemens, Sybase, Symantec, and The MathWorks.

Visit BSA on Facebook here and follow BSA on Twitter: @BSAnews

SOURCE Business Software Alliance

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED