Article 3 Ways to Streamline Your In-House Software Management
Explore the top three strategies for managing your software in-house while maintaining visibility and control.
By Joanna Furlong / 12 Jul 2019 / Topics: Software
For enterprise organizations, managing software in-house comes with numerous challenges. From sourcing and evaluating the right IT partners to overseeing deployments, maintenance and licenses, software management can quickly evolve into a complex, time-consuming (and expensive) effort.
However, software serves as a foundational layer for good business outcomes. For many organizations, software is a mission-critical element for keeping pace with the competition, maintaining a productive workforce, and reducing risk and liability.
But how can organizations stay on top of all the nuances that come with managing their software in-house? According to the 2019 Insight Intelligent Technology Index, 45% of IT professionals report that investing in the right software tools is a major area of opportunity for IT supply chain optimization.
A single dashboard for software licenses
Software management means managing to every detail. A software licensing dashboard can help you bring all those details into one place. From achieving resource visibility and compliance to performing audits and cost overviews, a dashboard can help you significantly reduce operational headaches.
For example, Insight offers a simple, self-service platform for license management. By taking a holistic approach to software across your enterprise, you can quickly understand license types, software status, usage and expiration. The platform allows you to:
- Work with multiple vendors: It’s vendor agnostic, which allows you to track your inventory and compliance, regardless of who your software partners are.
- Understand licensing updates: Licensing conditions constantly change. A dashboard gives you one tool to track all updates.
- Monitor return: Run reports and keep your costs under control by performing frequent asset analysis.
Self-service license management
Managing software in-house can lead to a higher risk of over-buying. But the right management tools can help protect your software investments and reduce costs. Insight’s Enterprise License Manager gives you self-service support for monitoring software usage and harvesting unused licenses.
The tool includes a configurable software product catalog, enterprise-grade integration, and detailed information on usage and compliance.
Managed services for the heavy lifting
If keeping your software management in-house becomes too burdensome, you may want to consider a managed services approach. Managed services allow you to tap into software expertise, regardless of the changes that may occur throughout your infrastructure.
For many organizations, it’s a worthwhile approach, allowing you to remain cost competitive by leveraging teams with decades of industry experience. Plus, you constantly have other eyes on your software strategy, eliminating business downtime and operational roadblocks.
Easier software management is within reach.
Software management should never be “out of sight, out of mind.” Investing in the right tools and resources can lead to improved cost savings and organizational efficiency. If you’re managing software in-house, ensure your team has the proper tools for total visibility and control.
