In today’s business landscape, organizations are continuously seeking ways to optimize their operations and assets to remain competitive. This is where Software Asset Management (SAM) comes in.
SAM is the practice of managing and optimizing an organization’s software assets to achieve maximum efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
In this blog post, we will present SAM statistics to give you an overview of the current state of SAM, its benefits, and its impact on organizations.
Key Asset Management (SAM) Statistics 2023 – MY Choice
- According to a survey by Flexera, 93% of organizations have experienced a software licensing issue, with 56% being audited at least once in the past year.
- A study by the Business Software Alliance found that 42% of software installed on computers worldwide in 2020 was unlicensed, resulting in $46.3 billion in losses to the software industry.
- The same study also found that the countries with the highest rate of unlicensed software use are Vietnam (74%), Indonesia (65%), and China (61%).
- Another survey by Flexera found that only 37% of organizations have a centralized Software Asset Management program in place.
- According to a report by Gartner, the average organization wastes 30% of its software spend on unused or rarely used software.
- The same report found that only 36% of organizations have a fully automated Software Asset Management process.
- A survey by Snow Software found that 75% of organizations are unable to identify all of their software assets.
- The same survey also found that 51% of organizations have been audited by a software vendor in the past year.
- A study by the Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) found that 59% of software audits resulted in additional fees being assessed, with an average cost of $123,000 per audit.
- A survey by IDC found that companies that implement a Software Asset Management program can save up to 30% on their software costs.
SAM Statistics
- The global SAM market is expected to reach $4.8 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 15.4% from 2020 to 2025.
- The average cost of a software audit for a company is $150,000.
- 35% of software installed on corporate computers is unlicensed, resulting in $46.3 billion in losses due to piracy.
- 80% of organizations are out of compliance with at least one software vendor.
- The use of SAM tools can result in up to 30% savings on software costs.
- 57% of organizations plan to increase their SAM spending in the next year.
- In 2021, the most commonly used SAM tool is Microsoft SCCM, followed by Flexera and Snow Software.
- The most commonly managed software licenses are Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Windows OS.
SAM Facts
- SAM helps organizations ensure compliance with software license agreements and reduce the risk of legal penalties for non-compliance.
- SAM tools enable organizations to optimize their software usage and avoid unnecessary expenses.
- SAM can help organizations identify and mitigate security risks associated with unpatched software.
- SAM can help organizations reduce the time and resources required for software audits and license management.
- SAM can help organizations better manage their software inventory and reduce the risk of asset loss or theft.
SAM Benefits
- SAM can result in significant cost savings by reducing unnecessary software purchases and avoiding penalties for non-compliance.
- SAM can help organizations optimize their software usage and improve productivity by ensuring that the right software is available to the right people at the right time.
- SAM can help organizations avoid security risks associated with unpatched software and ensure that their software is up to date.
- SAM can help organizations reduce the time and resources required for software audits and license management, freeing up resources for other important tasks.
- SAM can help organizations better manage their software inventory and reduce the risk of asset loss or theft.
SAM Trends
- The use of SAM tools is on the rise, with more organizations investing in SAM solutions to manage their software assets.
- Cloud-based SAM solutions are becoming more popular, enabling organizations to manage their software assets from anywhere and on any device.
- The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in SAM is growing, enabling organizations to automate certain aspects of software asset management.
- SAM is becoming more integrated with other IT management processes, such as IT service management and endpoint management.
- SAM is becoming more important for organizations as they increasingly rely on software to run their businesses.
SAM Adoption
- Adoption of SAM varies by industry, with industries that rely heavily on software, such as technology and finance, being more likely to adopt SAM solutions.
- Adoption of SAM is more common in larger organizations, with smaller organizations being less likely to invest in SAM solutions.
- Adoption of SAM is more common in developed countries, with developing countries being less likely to invest in SAM solutions.
SAM Market and Industry Statistics
- The global SAM market is expected to grow from $1.1 billion in 2021 to $3.2 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 23.8%. (Source: MarketsandMarkets)
- The North American region dominates the SAM market, accounting for the largest market share in 2020. (Source: Mordor Intelligence)
- The banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector is expected to hold the largest market share in the SAM market in 2026. (Source: MarketsandMarkets)
- The healthcare sector is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in the SAM market during the forecast period. (Source: Technavio)
- The IT and telecom sector is expected to hold the second-largest market share in the SAM market in 2026. (Source: MarketsandMarkets)
- The SAM market is expected to witness significant growth due to the increasing adoption of cloud-based SAM solutions. (Source: MarketsandMarkets)
- The key players in the SAM market include Microsoft, IBM, Snow Software, BMC Software, Flexera, Ivanti, Adobe, and Oracle. (Source: Mordor Intelligence)
Benefits of SAM
- Implementing SAM can help organizations save up to 30% of their software budget. (Source: Gartner)
- SAM can reduce the risk of non-compliance with software licensing agreements and mitigate the potential legal and financial consequences. (Source: Gartner)
- SAM can improve software deployment and management, leading to more efficient and effective IT operations. (Source: Gartner)
- SAM can reduce security risks by ensuring that all software in use is licensed and up to date. (Source: Gartner)
- SAM can help organizations identify and eliminate unused or underused software, reducing unnecessary licensing costs. (Source: Gartner)
- SAM can help organizations manage software license entitlements, ensuring that software is used in accordance with the licensing terms and conditions. (Source: Gartner)
SAM Adoption and Implementation Statistics
- More than half of organizations worldwide do not have a formal SAM program in place. (Source: Flexera)
- Only 28% of organizations have a complete and accurate inventory of their software assets. (Source: Flexera)
- 74% of organizations report over-licensing their software, resulting in unnecessary costs. (Source: Snow Software)
- 48% of organizations do not have a process for retiring unused software licenses. (Source: Flexera)
- 39% of organizations have experienced a software audit in the past year, with 65% of those audits resulting in a significant license compliance issue. (Source: Flexera)
- Only 34% of organizations have a SAM policy that is enforced across the entire organization. (Source: Flexera)
- 53% of organizations do not have an automated tool for managing their software assets. (Source: Flexera)
- 83% of organizations report having at least one case of shelfware in their software inventory. (Source: Flexera)
- According to a survey by Flexera, 93% of organizations report having unused software licenses, which can result in unnecessary costs.
- In the same survey, Flexera found that 34% of organizations have received at least one audit request from a software vendor in the past 18-24 months.
- SAM can help organizations optimize their software usage and reduce licensing costs by identifying unused or underused licenses and reallocating them as needed.
- SAM tools can also help organizations maintain compliance with licensing agreements, avoiding potential legal and financial penalties.
- The global SAM market is projected to reach $4.7 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 14.2% from 2020 to 2027.
- The adoption of cloud-based SAM solutions is expected to drive the growth of the SAM market in the coming years.
- SAM tools can also help organizations manage their software vulnerabilities and ensure that all software is up to date with the latest security patches.
- The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a standard for SAM, known as ISO/IEC 19770, which provides guidelines for the implementation and maintenance of SAM processes.
- SAM can be used in combination with other IT asset management (ITAM) practices to provide a comprehensive view of an organization’s software and hardware assets.
- The benefits of SAM include increased cost savings, improved software management and security, and reduced risk of non-compliance with licensing agreements.
Best Practices for Implementing SAM
If you’re interested in implementing SAM in your organization, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Start with a comprehensive inventory of all software assets in your organization.
- Develop a policy for software acquisition and use, including guidelines for purchasing, installation, and removal of software.
- Assign responsibility for SAM to a dedicated team or individual, with the necessary resources and authority to carry out SAM activities.
- Establish a process for regular software audits and reviews to identify areas for optimization and cost savings.
- Utilize SAM tools and technologies to automate and streamline the SAM process, including discovery, inventory, and license management.
- Ensure that all SAM processes are aligned with your organization’s overall IT and business strategies.
- Educate employees on the importance of SAM and their role in maintaining compliance with licensing agreements.
- Monitor and measure the success of your SAM program, using metrics such as cost savings, compliance rate, and software usage.
SAM Demographics
- SAM users include IT managers, software asset managers, procurement managers, and compliance managers.
- SAM solutions are used in a variety of industries, including technology, finance, healthcare, and government.
- SAM solutions are used by organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises.
SAM Software
- The most commonly used SAM tools are Microsoft SCCM, Flexera, and Snow Software.
- SAM solutions can vary in functionality, with some solutions focusing on license management while others offer more comprehensive software asset management capabilities.
- SAM solutions can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud, depending on the organization’s needs.
SAM Opportunities
- There is an opportunity for SAM vendors to develop solutions that are more user-friendly and easier to deploy.
- There is an opportunity for SAM vendors to develop solutions that can integrate with other IT management processes, such as IT service management and endpoint management.
- There is an opportunity for SAM vendors to develop solutions that can leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning to automate certain aspects of software asset management.
SAM Challenges
- One of the biggest challenges with SAM is ensuring compliance with software license agreements and avoiding legal penalties for non-compliance.
- SAM can be a complex and time-consuming task, requiring dedicated resources and expertise.
- SAM can be costly, with the cost of SAM solutions and the resources required for SAM implementation and maintenance adding up over time.
FAQ
- What is the difference between SAM and IT asset management? SAM refers specifically to the management of software assets, while IT asset management includes the management of all IT assets, including hardware, software, and network infrastructure.
- How can SAM help with compliance? SAM enables organizations to track software license usage and ensure compliance with software license agreements, reducing the risk of legal penalties for non-compliance.
- Can SAM help with software security? Yes, SAM can help organizations identify and mitigate security risks associated with unpatched software, ensuring that software is up to date and reducing the risk of cyberattacks.
Conclusion:
In today’s digital age, software is a critical component of any organization’s operations, but it can also be a significant source of cost and risk. By implementing effective Software Asset Management (SAM) practices, organizations can optimize their software usage, reduce costs, and maintain compliance with licensing agreements.
The SAM market is expected to continue growing, with cloud-based solutions driving adoption. To successfully implement SAM, organizations should start with a comprehensive inventory, establish policies and processes, assign dedicated resources, utilize SAM tools, and monitor performance metrics.
By following these best practices, organizations can reap the many benefits of SAM and stay ahead in the fast-paced world of software management.