Do you keep your Microsoft licensing in order? I’ve had a few clients come to me with an email they have received from the Microsoft SAM department, requesting an audit of all the Microsoft licensing in their practice.
What is SAM?
SAM stands for Software Asset Management. It is a best practice for incorporating a set of processes and procedures for managing and optimizing your practices growth. It is a non-punitive review of all your licensing, and is not necessarily a bad thing. When do you want to figure out you have illegal licenses? During an actual Microsoft “true up” audit? Probably not.
What if you receive an email from SAM?
There are a couple of things you can do. One, is to contract with a “SAM Partner”. These are Microsoft partners that have the experience in acquiring this large amount of data and putting it on the requested spreadsheets that the SAM department sends. This can be an enormous amount of work depending on the size of your practice. In order to implement SAM, you need to be organized, take a full inventory, create policies and procedures and maintain your SAM plan. Not easy, but could be beneficial in the long run.
If you feel that you need help with your SAM, the Microsoft website is a good place to start. They have templates and guides you can download and full instructions. They can also help you find a SAM partner. It’s alot of reading, but at the end, it’s probably a good thing.
