Organisations get the most benefit from cloud computing when they also take care to implement proven best practices for managing software assets effectively, BSA | The Software Alliance reported in a new study.

In the report, titled “Navigating the Cloud — Why Software Asset Management is More Important than Ever,” BSA provides practical guidance for IT departments to maximise the benefits of cloud computing solutions by adapting SAM programs to the new cloud environment. Using SAM as a cloud enabler, businesses are able to realise the benefits and cost savings of deploying computing resources in the cloud. The study also notes that ineffective SAM in the cloud can undermine many of those same benefits.

The study provides practical guidance on challenges organizations face in successfully integrating and performing SAM within their cloud computing environments.

Among the study’s key takeaways:

· Cloud computing did not end license compliance worries but rather created new ones. These challenges can be overcome with effective SAM.

· SAM is as critical for organizations moving to the cloud as it is for those running traditional IT environments.

· While the goal of SAM does not change, the “how” of SAM needs to be adapted for cloud environments.

· SAM should be an integral part of an organization’s cloud strategy and implementation plan.

· Traditional software license agreements require special attention when moving to the cloud to ensure license compliance.

· Software as a service introduces potential challenges related to unauthorized use and shelfware.