Agnitio Advisors recognizes that in order to make high value recommendations to an organization regarding their SAM program, first you need an apples to apples comparison of the current program, the IT environment and their future goals and objectives related to SAM.  The best method to accomplish this is to do an assessment that includes a gap analysis of a SAM program prior to making any changes.  There are different levels of assessment that can be done for an organization that range from doing a self-assessment to having an outsourcing organization come in and do an assessment with multiple options in-between.

Agnitio Advisors provides assessment services based on the ISO/IEC 19770-1 standard as well as the Microsoft SAM Optimization Model.  These include free templates organizations can use for their own self-assessment efforts if desired.  Details of these options are provided below:

ISO/IEC 19770-1 SAM processes - Free Assessment Tool

ISO/IEC 19770-1:2006 (currently going through a revision phase) essentially requires an organization to have all SAM processes in place in order to be considered conforming to the standard.  The current self-assessment template (found here - free account required and you must be logged in to the site to download the template) allows organizations to gain an understanding of what a SAM assessment is and where they believe their programs strengths and weaknesses are. 

The assessment template is a Microsoft Excel template (the current download version is designed to be utilized on Windows devices, contact us for support on Macintosh systems) that structures the assessment into 6 different areas.  The Template is self-documenting meaning that users do not need to pay for additional course material, or go through any formal training efforts to utilize the template. 

The Agnitio Advisors assessment methodology incorporates an added dimension that enables organizations to analyze the maturity of the people, process and technology as they apply to SAM programs.  Some organizations, for example, may have a very good process for defining the roles and responsibilities of various practitioners and may have the training to back up the process, but may utilize a tool that does not allow specialized processing based on the roles and responsibilities of the person using the tool.

The assessment measurements are loosely based on the Microsoft SAM Optimization Model - essentially a 4 point numeric scale.  This allows organizations to link a 19770-1 assessment directly against a Microsoft SAM Optimization Model assessment if desired.  The assessment levels (and their equivalent Microsoft SAM Optimization Model levels shown in parenthesis) are shown below:

• 0. We Fight Fires (Basic) - minimal to non-existent controls, no accountability and limited to no tools implemented.

• 1. We're Gaining Control (Standardized) - some controls defined, individuals receive minimal training and assigned to some roles with a few tools that capture basic data required for SAM.

• 2. We enable Business (Rationalized) - controls and processes defined, individuals receive regular training and assigned to most roles required for effective compliance and tools provide accurate and reliable data for SAM.
  
  
• 3. We're a strategic asset (Dynamic) - controls and processes defined, reviewed and regularly updated. Individuals receive regular and specialized training in how to maximize the value of the organizations software assets. Tools provide real-time compliance and usage data that is used strategically to apply software assets to maximize benefits to the organization.

As the revision of the ISO/IEC 19770-1 standard is going through the final phases to be published (expectation is for the revision to be available in 2012), the Agnitio Advisors assessment template will be updated to reflect the new tiered approach.  The tiers defined in the revised standard are:

• Tier 1 - Trustworthy Data
  Knowing what you have so you can manage it
  
  
• Tier 2 - Practical Management
  Improving management controls and driving immediate benefits
  
  
• Tier 3 - Operational Integration
  Improving efficiency and effectiveness
  
  
• Tier 4 - Full ISO Conformance
  Achieving best-in-class strategic SAM

Further updates on the revision can also be found by taking the BSA SAM Advantage training program which is designed around the revised version of the standard.

ISO/IEC 19770-1 SAM processes - Assisted Assessments

The free template provides more than enough information for an organization to do an in-house assessment of a SAM program.  Individuals who have a familiarity with the requirements of license compliance will not need additional training or any additional books to do manage the assessment.  This is especially true if they are members of an industry association such as the International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM) or have taken any training from IAITAM. 

However, there are frequently times when an organization wants or needs to have an independent 3^rd party do an assessment of a SAM program.  Working with a 3^rd party allows for an honest assessment that is not based on any pre-conceived notions of the program that often comes with internal assessments.

Agnitio Advisors is experienced with helping organizations implement assisted assessments in an efficient and economical manner.  In addition to the Excel Template provided for free (see above), Agnitio Advisors assisted assessments utilize interviews, surveys and data collection methodology that allows for much richer data analysis than a simple spread sheet can provide.  Our assessors have direct experience as SAM practitioners with SAM Tool Development with SAM Tool Assessment and Review and above all are tool and service provider agnostic.  Our assessors recognize that most organizations need to focus on the business justifications for why a SAM process needs to be implemented and ensure that we understand the goals your organization has for a SAM program so we can provide a realistic and approachable set of guidelines for improving a SAM program that meet the business requirements. 

There is no substitute for experience and Agnitio Advisors consultants have real world experience developing technology for SAM tools, implementing policies, processes and procedures as well as doing internal and external audits for software compliance activities.  Working with an organization that does not have this background, you are likely to get a canned, one-size fits all approach to your SAM assessment without the benefit and depth of knowledge that come from consultants who done this work.  Agnitio Advisors is unique in this regard - we only hire consultants who have real-world experience and who fully understand not just the material they are providing, but also why that material is being presented.

If you are looking at working with an organization to do an assisted assessment, ask the providers what experience the assessors and managers have outside their own organization in the SAM ecosystem.  

If you are interested in doing an assisted SAM program assessment, contact us for further information.

Microsoft SAM Optimization Model Assessments

Microsoft provides extensive documentation on SAM programs, policies and procedures on their website.  Microsoft has also established a program with their Partners to help organizations understand and implement SAM programs - this is being done through the SAM Services program.  Microsoft created these SAM Services to proactively assist Microsoft customers to build a more effective SAM program.

Agnitio Advisors worked with Microsoft to develop the training program Microsoft gives to their Partners that deliver these services to ensure that Microsoft customers get a consistent and valuable experience for the three SAM services of SAM Baseline, SAM Assessment or SAM Deployment Services. 

There are some customers and some situations where an organization may want to utilize these services, but may want to have them provided independently of Microsoft and/or may want to utilize these services for additional or other software publishers.  Agnitio Advisors extensive knowledge of the Microsoft services as well as the fact that we developed and have delivered some of the partner training for these services puts us in a unique position to provide independent baseline reviews or assessments. 

If your organization is interested in applying these services independently of Microsoft, contact us for further details.

There is no substitute for Experience

The old adage of, "there is no substitute for experience" rings true and Agnitio Advisors consultants have real world experience developing SAM tools, implementing policies, processes and procedures as well as doing internal and external audits for software compliance activities. Agnitio Advisors has also been instrumental in developing the training Microsoft uses with their SAM partners to develop a consistent delivery of the SAM services.  Working with an organization that does not have this background, you are likely to get a canned, one-size fits all approach to your SAM assessment without the benefit and depth of knowledge that come from consultants who have actually done this work. Agnitio Advisors is unique in this regard - we only hire consultants who have real-world experience and who fully understand not just the material they are providing, but also why that material is being presented and how it can be applied within a customer environment.

If you are looking at working with an organization to do an assisted assessment, ask the provider what experience the assessors and managers have outside their own organization in the SAM ecosystem.

If you are interested in doing any type of SAM assessment, contact us for further information.