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Break the negative SAM loop

July 23, 2010 – 5:49 pm

I met a very insightful man today, his name is Ray Murphy. We spent a couple of hours in my office discussing iQuate’s recent verification by Oracle (the first software company in the world to receive such an accolade), Software Asset Management pitfalls and Big Ticket license negotiation (a speciality of Ray’s).

Ray outlined how he looks at the Software Asset Management lifecycle that drives the need for software like ours, and services like his. There was nothing particularly new or revolutionary in what he was saying, but he described the cycle so succinctly that it crystallized for me – effectively he outlined the cycle as follows:

• Risk Someone identifies that the company is potentially under or over licensed, or perhaps a request for vendor audit is received.
• Discovery A discovery process kicks off whereby the company tries to create an accurate inventory of their deployment(s). This can be performed manually, or automated (using a tool like iQSonar).
• Reconciliation A process of mapping software deployed to licenses purchased is undertaken. Gaps are identified.
• Negotiation The customer seeks to eliminate gaps (in ongoing support costs if there has been over expenditure, or to purchase licenses for items which have been over deployed), typically there is a restructuring whereby new licenses are procured while inefficient expenditure is eliminated. Getting this balance right, at the lowest possible cost is where Ray’s services come in.
• Implementation The software which has been procured is implemented.

Breaking out of negative loops is critical
Problems arise when implementation leads back to risk. Perhaps an enterprise license agreement has been arranged with “Vendor X” – the agreement is likely to cover several products, but typically won’t cover ALL products with ALL configuration options. The message goes out from IT that an ELA has been reached with Vendor X for the next three years. And that’s where the problems start – not everyone in the chain understands exactly WHAT products, options, etc. are covered by the ELA. Typically deployment starts to leak out the edges and the company slowly violates the ELA – generally unintentionally and because an employee, department or group start using something which isn’t strictly speaking part of that ELA.

This somewhat depressing endless loop – which may be excellent for Vendor X, who comes back to renegotiate the deal in three years time to find a gold mine waiting (or sooner if tipped off!) – does the company no good at all. The good news is that with a combination of tools and process, the risks can be mitigated and the loop avoided.

Unlike a manual discovery/audit process, which is typically not feasible to repeat against every server in the organization on a frequent basis (weekly/monthly) iQSonar can frequently monitor the current situation.

With appropriate checks and balances (someone has to look at the tool and take action as required!), the spread of options or products not covered by the ELA can be nipped in the bud – and the endless self feeding loop can be avoided.

Thanks for the inspiration Ray!

By Jason Keogh | Comments Off

Managed Services Provider Boosts Margins by 15%

April 12, 2009 – 3:19 pm

Managed services provider, Data Electronics Group, has increased its margins by 15% since implementing a new managed services platform from iQuate.

By automating the day‐to‐day management of client networks, as well as its own data centres, iQRMS has enabled DEG to expand its customer base by 30%.  It has also helped catapult the company into the Deloitte Fast 50 for Ireland in 2007.

Big Company Technology Available on a Small Budget

Implementing iQuate’s Helpdesk, Remote Monitoring and SLA management platform, called iQRMS, represented a key turning point for DEG.  It enabled the company to automate Helpdesk and Service Level Management, using technology previously limited to large organizations with big budgets.

The Benefits Achieved

‘Ensuring that our customers’ systems are constantly available is critical for us’ explains Data Electronics Managing Director; Maurice Mortell.  We asked him to point out some of the advantages of the system:

- iQRMS automatically gathers critical fault and performance data from clients’ networks, making our job easier and allowing us to concentrate on proactively supporting our customers.

- We can quickly navigate through event data, pinpoint specific problems and access vital information that allows us to take corrective action before small issues become big problems.

- As the software is agentless, as well as easy to configure  DEG was able to set up clients within minutes and start generating a return on their investment almost immediately.

- The software provides our customers with a secure portal to access realtime information on the services being delivered to them.

By iQuate | Comments Off

Software Free-for-All Threatens Desktop Refresh

April 12, 2009 – 12:45 pm

One of the UK’s largest banks had launched an ambitious desktop refresh programme but, with users selecting software on a whim, skyrocketing costs threatened to derail the initiative.

City buildings

Software Free for All

A desktop refresh programme had been launched, covering a total of 13,750 machines.  However, initial budgets had quickly proved inadequate, as user software requests were gathered.

Across the organization users were adopting a shopping list mentality – requesting new software for their replacement machines without regard to budget, or requirements.   But, the bank had no way to validate what was previously installed in order to do a like-for-like replacement.

Although there were a number of network inventory tools in place they did not provide a detailed and accurate inventory of software installed and in use.  A new means of gathering this information was required, with iQSonar selected as the best solution.

All users were provided with like-for-like software on their new desktops. Exceptions were managed carefully requiring management sign off.  As a result the project was delivered with savings of approx. £2.4m in software license costs.

An Accurate Inventory

iQSonar was employed to create a accurate inventory of software on all machines across the network.  This was completed in a matter of days, providing managers with a full view of software to be upgraded, as well as  unused and unwanted licenses to be harvested.  It also provided a complete inventory of all PCs, including machines to be scrapped, or redeployed.

iQSonar enabled Managers to move more rapidly and accurately through the refresh process, achieving the following benefits:

- Save money by reusing existing software licenses

- Avoid purchasing unnecessary software licenses for new products

- Save time and rework by ensuring the refresh is right first time

iQSonar – The Solution

The solution is a new breed of network audit, inventory and monitoring tools that provide managers with a detailed and accurate picture of all hardware and software on their network.

iQuate’s audit, inventory and monitoring suite, called iQSonar, enables organizations to discover, scan and track all PCs, software and devices in realtime, pinpointing; licensing, utilization, compliance and other issues.

By iQuate | Comments Off

If IT Inventories Are Out By Up to 20%, So Too Are Costs!

April 10, 2009 – 1:50 pm

Everybody is aware of the challenge of maintaining an accurate inventory of large distributed IT networks. But, the extent by which estimates can be out takes most managers by surprise.

Balancing the Accounts

With hardware and software coming and going all the time, maintaining central control proves difficult. But the implications for all aspects of IT management and in particular for costs are sometimes misunderstood.

Analyst research suggests that IT inventories in large organizations can be out by as much as 20% – a figure which tallies with our direct experience of hundreds of companies. But if estimates of the amount of hardware and software are out by a factor of 20%, then so too are costs.

The reality is that most organisations are paying for licences, leases and support in respect of software and hardware that is under used, over licensed, or redundant.  Although previously hidden and traditionally overlooked in IT inventories and budgets, these areas can deliver annual savings of up to 20% of IT expenditure.

But it does not stop there. Inaccurate IT inventory information often results in over spending in terms of infrastructure and desktop refresh programs, as well as a host of other IT initiatives, such as virtualization, or software migration.

Providing managers with more detailed and accurate information regarding the networks they have to manage and support is vital to delivering more IT for less. In this era of budget cuts, where traditional cost cutting puts projects and service levels at risk, exploiting these less painful and more surgical cuts is a must.

Our audit, inventory and monitoring suite, called iQSonar enable organizations to discover, scan and track all PCs, software and devices in real time,pinpointing; licencing, utilization, compliance and other issues.

On the basis of this new and up to date information managers can; cut costs , maximize security, ensure compliance and otherwise more effectively manage their IT.

By Pat Durkin | Comments Off

Is time running out for some of your routers and switches?

April 9, 2009 – 8:12 am

The clock is ticking, bringing some of your network infrastructure nearer to an end of life, or end of service precipice. But what will need to be replaced and when? More importantly, what will it cost?

Unfortunately, shortcomings in the network inventory information available to managers, mean that most managers don’t have all the answers. That means they could be facing large and unexpected bills for replacing routers, switches and other network devices for which time has run out.

Time

In the present downturn, vendors are selling a lot less kit. That makes targeting end of life and end of service equipment an obvious priority for their sales teams – that at least is the suspicion of many IT managers.

Lifecycle Management, to give it its nice term is something that too often takes managers by surprise. CISCO, for example, says these switches will be end of life at the end of next year, these other models are at the end of service later this year. With thousands of devices spread across the network it is little wonder that managers often find themselves in reactive mode.

Existing network audit and inventory tools make it very difficult for managers to know exactly what infrastructure will need to be refreshed and when.  Quite simply, they don’t have sight of up to 20% of your networks infrastructure.

iQuate provides managers with a full visibility of all servers, routers and switches on their networks, including serial numbers, versions, operating system, software applications, etc. That enables managers to plan and budget for essential infrastructure initiatives and is essential in rebalancing the power between the ‘eager to replace’ vendor and ‘anxious to keep’ customer.

Our audit, inventory and monitoring suite, called iQSonar enable organizations to discover, scan and track all PCs, software and devices in real time, pinpointing; licencing, utilization, compliance and other issues.

On the basis of this new and up to date information managers can; cut costs , maximize security, ensure compliance and otherwise more effectively manage their IT.

By Jason Keogh | Comments Off

The Problem With Traditional Inventory Tools

March 23, 2009 – 11:02 am

Managing IT requires accurate and up to date inventory of all hardware and software on the network. The problem is that the inventory tools traditionally employed to gather this information are struggling. In particular:

- They are often limited to different protocols, operating systems, etc.

- They are limited in the detail they can gather regarding hardware specifications and applications

- They require agents to be installed on devices to be audited/monitored

- They are bandwidth intensive and disruptive to the network

- They do not effectively monitor network changes on an daily basis

- They cannot be easily adjusted by Managers to meet changing information needs

- Reports presented are not user-friendly

The result is that IT decisions are being made on inaccurate information, leading inturn to; bloated hardware and software budgets, higher support costs, additional security threats. Most costly of all, it can result in hefty back payments and penalties in respect of under licensed software.

Diagram on table

The alternative

iQuate provides the tools to monitor and audit hardware and software to a level of detail, accuracy and speed that was previously not possible.

Our audit, inventory and monitoring toolset, called iQSonar enable organizations to discover, scan and track all PCs, software and devices in real time,pinpointing; licencing, utilization, compliance and other issues.

On the basis of this new and up to date information managers can; cut costs , maximize security, ensure compliance and otherwise more effectively manage their IT.

By Pat Durkin | Comments Off

IT Service Management in an Era of Budget Cuts

March 21, 2009 – 10:37 am

IT Service Management Is Under Pressure

As a major cost driver, IT Support  is under pressure from budget cut backs.   Regrettably, so too are key IT initiatives (e.g. migrations, or desktop refreshes) that promised to ease the IT support burden.

Even More Cost Cuts are Required

This is not the first time IT support costs have been squeezed.  That means managers know where to find some immediate cuts, without impacting too much the levels of service available to users.  But, when these initial cuts have been made where to find the next round of savings?

budgeting

How to squeeze additional efficiencies without too much pain?

In most organizations there are a range of IT support related efficiencies that go under exploited. That is opportunities to squeeze additional efficiencies without too much pain. The reason these areas are so often over looked is because of shortcomings in the IT inventory data available to managers.

IT Inventory Inaccuracy Drives Support Cost

With analysts suggesting that IT inventory data estimates are out by as much as 20%, that means IT support costs can be out by as much. Bottom line, there are often 100’s of unaccounted for devices and software on the typical corporate network.

Even where software and hardware is accurately recorded in the inventory, there is often little information regarding its status, or use. All this has implications in terms of IT support costs, including:

· Leases, support and licensing costs in respect of machines that are/should be retired and are under used, or under utlilised

· Machines with unsupported software, where patches have not been installed and with out of date anti-virus, encryption, etc. software

· Longer call handling times owing to the lack of status information to guide diagnosis

These unnecessary costs can run in to 6 and 7 figure sums annually, regardless of whether IT is out-sourced, transfer charged , or delivered IT from a fixed budget.

More Accurate IT Inventory Data Pin-Points Service Efficiencies

Managers need more accurate information on what it is that they are expected to support. They need a thorough and dynamic inventory of all hardware and software on their networks. That will enable them to determine more precisely the IT support needs and resources required.

All this is predicated however on the use of new tools, such as from iQuate, to cost effectively audit, inventorize and monitor what are increasingly sprawling networks.

By Jason Keogh | Comments Off

Desktop Refresh Initiatives Require More Accurate IT Intelligence

March 21, 2009 – 9:23 am

Refreshing Fast Ageing Technology

Today’s desktop solutions run up to 5 times faster and use up to 85 percent less energy than systems sold just three years ago, say vendors. That offers the promise of increased employee productivity.

Of course, desktop refresh programmes also promise:

  • Reduced system vulnerabilities -new & more consistent security standards
  • A consolidation of software licensing
  • A reduction in the cost of IT support
  • A revised and more accurate inventory of hardware and software

Why Organizations Over Spend on Desktop Refreshes

However, organizations are spending considerably more on desktop refresh programmes that necessary.  In particular, shortcommings in terms of IT inventory data means that managers dont have accurate and up to date picture of what they are about to replace.

business table

Most IT Inventories are Out by 20%

Problems with network audit tools in many organisations mean that IT inventories are regularly out by up 20%.

That means large organisations have hundreds of machines and devices that don’t appear on the Manager’s radar.

That includes machines that are, for example, under-used, should have been retired, or are simply gone missing.

Yet, Managers are not aware of these numbers when they are planning and budgeting for a major refresh initiative.

Managers Need More Accurate Information

Managers need more accurate and update information regarding all the hardware and software on their networks before undertaking a successful desktop refresh initiative.

That information will help them to monitor and manage the roll-out programme, but also to build the business case and tightly manage costs.   It will provide managers with a dynamic status report of their network in terms of:

  • What software is being used and where
  • What machines can be redeployed
  • What machines are yet to be replaced
  • What devices on the network require interplay with the new desktops
  • Are new security standards being applied
  • Are anti-virus and encryption standards out on any machines
  • What machines require patches

The Solution

The solution is a new breed of network audit, inventory and monitoring tools that provide managers with a accurate, detailed and accurate picture of all hardware and software on their network.

iQuate’s audit, inventory and monitoring suite, called iQSonar, enables organisations to discover, scan and track all PCs, software and devices in real time, pin-pointing; licensing, utilisation, compliance and other issues.

On the basis of this new and up-to-date information managers can more accurately plan, budget and monitor desktop refresh initiatives.

By Pat Durkin | Comments Off

Software Migration Projects Require More Accurate IT Inventory Data

March 20, 2009 – 11:43 pm

Software migrations in large organisations are complex and costly. In particular, software roll-outs can meet with unexpected set-backs and delays.

The problem is that IT networks are host to a great diversity of PCs, Servers and other devices.  There is no universal specification, with each machine having its own unique profile in terms of:

- Available disk space
- Operating system
- Processor
- Software budles
- Etc.

That has implications in terms of software migrations, with machines being categorised as:

- Ready for migration
- Upgrade required
- Machine to be retired

How accurately profiling the network in this way is a challenge.  In particular measuring and monitoring what machines have been migrated and which ones have not.  Another challenge is to reconcile licencing – as the project evolves.

This information is key to the how cost effectively migration projects can be implemented, in particular to avoiding over-spending, in terms of, for example; software purchased for machines that have been retired.

The source of the information is dynamic network inventory and monitoring, using new age tools, such as those from iQuate.

By Jason Keogh | Comments Off

Accurate IT inventory data is key to delivering more for less

March 4, 2009 – 9:13 pm

Increasing Demands on IT

IT is expected to deliver more for less.  That is, new levels of; compliance, security, service and support for less money.  It is even expected to be more ‘green’. The global downturn has further aggravated these conflicting demands.

A Less Painful Way to Cut IT Costs

While most IT cuts have a negative impact, some managers have found new ways to cut IT costs, while at the same time delivering improvements in terms of technology, compliance, security and service. How? Well, the answer is through more accurate and up to date information about their networks.

discovery

The Need for More Accurate IT Inventory Data

What gets measured gets managed and what gets measured accurately gets managed precisely.  Yet, managers don’t have all the information they need regarding the software and hardware on their networks.

With analysts suggesting that IT inventory data estimates are out by as much as 20%, that means there are often 100s of unaccounted for devices on the typical corporate network. The same applies to software.

Even where software and hardware is accurately recorded in the inventory, there is often little information regarding its status, or use.

Managers Cannot Pin-Point Software & Hardware

Managers find it difficult, if not impossible, using existing SAM, or ITAM tools, to pinpoint; Under-used, Over-licensed, or Redundant software and hardware.

They also don’t have the information to determine what machines are to be; retired, upgraded, virtualized, re-deployed. Pin-pointing equipment that presents potential licensing, security, or other compliance issues is also a challenge.

Managing IT Without Accurate Information

Without this information managers are constrained in their management of IT.  That makes tasks, ranging from controlling costs to enforcing centralized security protocols and standards, more difficult.

Similarly, managers are handicapped in the management of key IT projects, such as; desktop refresh, software migration, virtualization, etc.

Most important of all they don’t have all the information they need to accurately budget for, and control; IT costs, whether out-sourced, or in-sourced.

The Solution – More Accurate IT Inventory

Most organisations have Software Asset Managment or IT Asset Managment solutions in place.  They often have several network inventory, or audit tools too.  Yet, the are not getting all the information they need.

Specifically, the audit tools available are not fully deployed, do not cross all equipment/protocols, or are not flexible enough to address the changing information requirements of managers.

iQuate provides the tools to monitor and audit hardware and software to a level of detail, accuracy and speed that was previously not possible.

Our audit, inventory and monitoring suite, called iQSonar enable organisations to discover, scan and track all PCs, software and devices in real time, pinpointing; licencing, utilisation, compliance and other issues.

On the basis of this new and up-to-date information managers can; cut costs , maximize security, ensure compliance and otherwise more effectively manage their IT.

By Pat Durkin | Comments Off

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