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Software Asset Management

Familiar with the challenge of managing software assets? Software Asset Management (SAM) means keeping licence purchasing, installed software and user policies all under control — and MagikINFO helps you do exactly that.

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Why it matters

Where software compliance falls apart

Software is an area where companies simultaneously overspend and risk penalties. Without visibility into installations and licences, purchasing happens “just to be safe”, proof-of-purchase documents get lost, and unwanted installations pile up faster than anyone can deal with them. Then, when a software audit comes around, there's nothing to prove your compliance with.

“Without visibility into installations and licences, every software purchase is a lottery ticket.”

Our approach

Managing software from audit to policy

Software Asset Management (SAM) is a set of practices: optimising licence purchasing, keeping track of installed software, setting policies for employees, and ongoing checks. MagikINFO has been helping organisations stay software-compliant for around 15 years.

The goal is a state where you keep an efficient record of your IT resources, purchase licences based on solid evidence, prevent unwanted installations, know how software is actually used, shift responsibility onto users where it belongs, and avoid penalties at inspection time.

Tools for comprehensive software asset management are part of the MagikAUDIT module and tie into asset records and monitoring — so an audit always comes with context, and keeps its value over time.

Proof-of-purchase documents and licences live in one place — invoices, licence keys and terms all linked directly to the software. At software audit time, your proof of legality is right there.

What the solution covers

  • Automatic software audit
    Regular scans of installations and versions against a software signature database.
  • Licence and document records
    Invoices and proof-of-purchase documents linked to specific licences.
  • Matching licences to installs
    Automatically or by hand, with visibility into surpluses and shortfalls.
  • Clean-up and policy
    Buying extra licences, uninstalling, and policies for lasting order.
  • Checks and notifications
    Watching for unaudited PCs, expiring licences and unlicensed software.
  • Usage statistics
    Real product usage as a basis for licence renewal decisions.
Features

The building blocks of SAM in MagikINFO

Visibility into installed software

Regular automatic computer scans form the basis of the audit. Detection draws on a software signature database, including a unique generic-signature method that keeps maintenance effort low.

Records of purchased licences

Proof-of-purchase documents are key to demonstrating software compliance. Scan an invoice, attach it to the record, and register it as a licence to be matched against an installation.

Matching licences to installs

Licences are matched automatically — even for software with many licences — or manually by licence number. The result is a report showing the gap between purchased licences and installations found.

Cleaning up and setting policy

Buy any missing licences, uninstall unwanted software (in bulk, too, via remote distribution). Set policies, ownership and review intervals so the audit keeps paying off over time.

Checks and oversight

The audit uncovers unwanted software as well as portable USB applications; risky USB devices can be blocked (MagikMONITOR). Notifications flag unaudited PCs, expiring licences and unlicensed software.

Software usage overview

Reports show real product usage — total active-use time and the number of active users over a given period. An ideal basis for licence purchasing and renewal decisions.

How it works

How it works in practice

Rolling out SAM isn't a revolution, and it doesn't take months of preparation. We work through clear steps, and the system starts delivering value almost immediately.

1

Automatic audit

Regular scans establish exactly what software, and which versions, are actually running on your stations.

2

Licence records

You add proof-of-purchase documents and licences, ideally linked to invoices.

3

Matching and assessment

The system matches licences against installations and flags any surpluses or shortfalls.

4

Clean-up and oversight

You buy extra licences or uninstall as needed, and set up policies, ownership and ongoing checks.

Advantages

What you gain with MagikINFO

Efficient records

You have the IT information you need practically instantly.

Smarter purchasing

You buy licences based on solid evidence, not guesswork.

Fewer unwanted installations

You prevent unwanted and risky software from appearing at all.

Usage visibility

You know which software is actually used, and which is just taking up a licence.

Accountability with users

Regular reports and policies shift responsibility to where it belongs.

Peace of mind at audit time

Proof of software legality is ready to go, and you avoid penalties.

Lower risk of penalties

Lower risk of penalties for under-licensed software that's actually running.

Version visibility

Knowing your versions makes planning updates and security patches easier.

Documents in order

Invoices and proof-of-purchase documents for your software all live in one place.
Module

Software Asset Management is covered by the module

→ MagikAUDIT
→ MagikMONITOR
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

How does MagikINFO recognise installed software?

From regular automatic audits and a software signature database — including generic signatures that keep maintenance effort low.

How will you work out how many licences we need?

The system compares the software actually installed against the licences you've recorded. The difference shows any surpluses or shortfalls.

Can the system uninstall unwanted software?

In most cases, yes, via the remote distribution module. A freely available alternative can also be deployed if needed.

Will we spot portable apps running from USB too?

Yes, the audit detects them by their key files; risky USB devices can also be blocked (MagikMONITOR).

Do we have to track down old licences by hand?

If you want to keep a complete record, then yes — especially at the start, that's the most demanding part. After that, it's just a matter of scanning an invoice and registering the licence for matching with each new purchase.

Will we find out which software is actually used?

Yes. Reports (in the MagikMONITOR module) show active-use time and the number of active users over a period — an ideal basis for licence renewal.

Does it handle specialised or in-house software too?

Yes, though specialised software may not always be recognised straight away. In that case, the fix is to send our support team a sample and we'll update the software signature database — the database can also be updated by the user directly.

Are the records enough for a vendor audit?

Reports provide an overview of installations as well as owned licences and documents — exactly the kind of records typically requested in a software audit.

Will we see an installation history?

Yes. New installations and uninstalls are tracked over time, so you have a clear view of how your software estate has evolved.

Interested in Software & License Management?

Would you like to learn more, or see a demo — either the standard DEMO version or with your own data? Email us and we’ll be happy to get in touch.

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