Table of content
1) Introduction
2) Understand Your Licensing Requirements
3) Set Up the Software Asset Management Application
4) Configure Software Models and Entitlements
5) Enable Data Collection
6) Monitor and Manage Software Usage
7) Conclusion
Introduction
ServiceNow Software Asset Management (SAM) is a powerful solution that enables organizations to efficiently manage their software assets, from the point of purchase to disposal. By leveraging this tool, companies can improve software usage, reduce costs, and stay compliant with regulatory requirements.
In this article, we will provide a step-by-step guide on how to configure ServiceNow SAM in your organization. We will cover the key features and best practices to ensure a smooth and effective implementation.
Understand Your Licensing Requirements
Before you start configuring SAM, it is essential to understand your organization’s licensing requirements. Review your software contracts and licensing agreements to ensure compliance with software usage rights. This will help you to identify which software applications you need to track and manage with SAM.
Set Up the Software Asset Management Application
The first step in configuring SAM is to set up the Software Asset Management application. Navigate to the SAM application under the ServiceNow Applications menu and click on the Configuration module. From there, click on the “Setup Assistant” button to start the setup process.
The setup assistant will guide you through the process of configuring SAM. You will need to provide details about your software vendors, license agreements, and software products. You can also set up auto-discovery rules to automatically identify new software installations on your network.
Configure Software Models and Entitlements
Once the setup assistant is complete, you will need to configure your software models and entitlements. This involves creating a software model for each software application you want to track and assigning the appropriate entitlements to each model.
Software models represent the software applications in SAM and contain information such as the software publisher, version, and installation location. Entitlements represent the licensing rights for each software model, including the number of licenses purchased, license metrics, and license types.
Enable Data Collection
To track software usage and compliance, you will need to enable data collection in SAM. This involves setting up data collectors to gather information about software installations and usage on your network.
SAM supports various data collection methods, including agent-based and agentless discovery. You can choose the method that best suits your organization’s needs and configure data collectors accordingly.
Monitor and Manage Software Usage
SAM provides real-time visibility into software usage, enabling you to identify overused or underused software applications. You can use this information to optimize software usage, reduce costs, and avoid compliance issues.
SAM also provides tools for managing software licenses, including the ability to track license assignments and usage, monitor license compliance, and generate license reports. You can use these tools to ensure compliance with software licensing agreements and avoid costly penalties.
Conclusion
Configuring ServiceNow Software Asset Management in your organization is a complex process that requires careful planning and execution. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can set up SAM to effectively manage your software assets and ensure compliance with licensing agreements.
SAM provides powerful tools for tracking software usage, managing licenses, and optimizing software usage. By leveraging these tools, you can reduce costs, stay compliant, and ensure that your organization is getting the most value from its software investments.