Software Asset Management (SAM) is a best practice that aims to manage, track and optimize the procurement, deployment, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of software assets within an organization. It is a process-oriented approach that aligns software assets with business goals and objectives, reduces risk, reduces costs, and maximizes the return on investment in software. SAM is closely related to IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Hardware Asset Management (HAM), as all three disciplines work together to ensure the effective and efficient management of IT assets within an organization.
Certification definition
The SAM specialist certification is part of the ITAMorg® Information Technology Asset Management certification program. Candidates who have achieved the ITAMorg® SAM specialist certificate have demonstrated their ability to manage and control software assets within an organization effectively. They thoroughly understand the complexities of software asset management in a multifaceted computing environment. With the knowledge of IT Service Management best practices, the candidate can implement software asset management processes, track software usage, and deployments, manage software procurement and contracts, and ensure the proper disposal and retirement of software assets. This certification verifies that the candidate is equipped to reduce risks related to software assets and ensure software license compliance within the organization.
Certification requirements
Candidates can become certified by passing the ITAMorg® SAM Specialist certification exam. It is advised, but not obliged, that candidates have achieved the ITAMorg® ITAM Foundation certification before attempting the ITAMorg® SAM Specialist certification.
Vouchers for the certification exam are available through accredited trainers and Van Haren Group.
Certificate renewal
The ITAMorg® SAM Specialist certificate is valid for two years.
The following table is an overview of the topics examined in the certification exam.
#questions
Level(s) of Cognition
Category
1
2
3
4
✓
✓
Key Concepts
Understand the activities involved in SAM
Understand the development and evolution of SAM
Understand the potential benefits, costs and problems associated with software and its usage
Describe the organizational risks associated with software and its usage
Review SAM processes, identifying potential areas of weakness
Describe and explain the software supply chain and the role of the organizations involved
Understand how IT Service Management best practice will support SAM
6
✓
✓
Principles
Describe the need for SAM and explain the principles involved
Understand the different terminologies and principles used in SAM
Understand other software industry players including standards (ISO/IEC 19770), antipiracy organizations and SAM partners
Describe and explain the special characteristics of software assets and software licenses, including legal situations, counterfeit software, software supplier activities and software compliance
Identify and understand the interfaces that SAM has with other IT and Service Management processes
Describe and explain the roles, responsibilities and accountability of the SAM processes and information
Explain the need for defining and agreeing roles and responsibilities
Explain the organizational factors that need to be considered when defining roles and responsibilities
Understand the responsibilities required to carry out specific roles, e.g. audit, reconciliation work and contract management
Describe and explain the need for SAM, and the considerations and content of a SAM business case
Obtain the appropriate information from the business and IT required to produce a SAM business case
Assist with the production of a SAM business case
Draw up a plan of approach to the implementation of SAM
6
✓
✓
Practice
Describe and explain the overall SAM implementation framework
Identify processes and technologies used in each tier of the implementation
Describe and explain the stages in the lifecycle of software assets
Describe and explain the SAM process groups and processes contained within the framework and their content
Describe and explain the management controls, policies and procedures required, and their content
Define and describe the dependencies of other IT and Service Management processes on SAM processes and information
Define and document the dependencies of SAM on other Service Management processes and information
8
✓
✓
Tier 1
Identify and understand the Management controls, processes and technologies for a Tier one implementation
Explain and justify the stages and activities involved in the implementation of SAM within an organisation at tier level 1
Justify and initiate the implementation of SAM within an organisation
Develop an outline plan for the implementation of SAM within an organisation
Understand the different resource requirements between project and business as usual activities.
Explain the types of SAM tools and their usage within the SAM processes at Tier 1
Understand the evaluation criteria for choosing appropriate SAM tools at Tier 1.
Justify, select, and procure the appropriate SAM support tools and techniques at Tier 1
Justify and initiate the identification of SAM asset and get them under control
Explain the Policies, Procedures & Processes for the SAM framework at Tier 1
Explain the competences needed in SAM at Tier 1
Understand and initiate the communication of the policies, procedures, and processes at Tier 1
Explain and justify how SAM Assets are recorded and how it affects the accurately situation
Explain and initiate how License Compliance is enabled
Understand how to manage and maintain SAM information
Identify the SAM related reports required throughout the organisation at Tier 1
Define and report on the measurements, metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of SAM at Tier 1
8
✓
✓
Tier 2
Identify and explain the objective at SAM Tier 2 level and how to establish practical management around SAM
Identify and understand the Management controls, processes and technologies for a Tier 2 implementation
Explain and justify the stages and activities involved in the implementation of SAM within an organisation at tier level 2
Justify and initiate the implementation of SAM within an organisation
Develop an outline plan for the implementation of SAM within an organisation
Understand the different resource requirements between project and business as usual activities.
Explain the types of SAM tools and their usage within the SAM processes at Tier 2.
Understand the evaluation criteria for choosing appropriate SAM tools at Tier 2.
Justify, select and procure the appropriate SAM support tools and techniques at Tier 2
Explain the Policies, Procedures & Processes for the SAM framework at Tier 2
Explain the competences needed in SAM at Tier 2
Understand and initiate the communication of the policies, procedures, and processes at Tier 2
Explain and initiate how optimization and integration to between SAM systems and related systems are enabled at Tier 2
Explain and initiate how optimization and integration between SAM processes and related processes are enabled at Tier 2
Understand how to manage and maintain SAM information at Tier 2
Identify the SAM related reports required throughout the organisation at Tier 2
Define and report on the measurements, metrics, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of SAM at Tier 2
8
✓
✓
Tier 3
Identify and explain the Objective at the Tier 3 on how to create greater efficiency and effectiveness by optimizing cross-cutting contexts, with focus on cost
Identify and understand the Management controls, processes and technologies for a Tier 3 implementation
Explain and justify the stages and activities involved in the implementation of SAM within an organisation at tier level 3
Justify and initiate the implementation of SAM within an organisation at Tier 3
Develop an outline plan for the implementation of SAM at Tier 3 within an organisation
Explain the types of SAM tools and their usage within the SAM processes at Tier 3
Understand the evaluation criteria for choosing appropriate SAM tools at Tier 3.
Justify, select and procure the appropriate SAM support tools and techniques at Tier 3
Understand how to manage and maintain SAM information at tier 3
Justify and initiate how SAM contracts and supplier information must be relevant, realistic, controlled and managed at Tier 3
Justify and initiate how SAM financials must reflect the current and future situation and be controlled and managed at Tier 3
Justify and initiate how SAM measure must be aligned with business and SAM operational needs, and must be managed and controlled at Tier 3
Justify and initiate how SAM operational risks must be managed, controlled and communicated at Tier 3
Identify the SAM related reports required throughout the organisation at Tier 3
Define and report on the measurements, metrics and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) of SAM at Tier 3
More information about the levels of cognition
Level 1 - Knowledge: This level requires candidates to recall specific information or facts. They should demonstrate the ability to remember and recognize details, terms, or concepts from their learning materials.
Level 2 - Comprehension: At this level, candidates are expected to show their understanding of the acquired information. They should be able to interpret, explain, and summarize. Candidates must go beyond mere memorization and demonstrate that they can grasp the meaning and implications of the information they have learned.
Level 3 - Application: The focus at this level is on candidates’ ability to apply their acquired knowledge in practical situations. They should be able to use what they have learned to solve problems, apply principles, or implement strategies in real-world scenarios.
Level 4 - Analysis: Analysis involves candidates breaking down complex concepts into smaller parts and comprehending the relationships between them. Candidates must display the ability to analyze information, identify components, and understand the underlying connections between them.
Level 5 - Synthesis: At this level, candidates are expected to exhibit the ability to create something new by combining different ideas, concepts, or elements. Candidates must demonstrate their capacity to generate hypotheses, design experiments, or develop original solutions to problems. Synthesis involves creativity and the integration of different elements to form a novel whole.
Level 6 - Evaluation: This level requires candidates to use judgments or assessments based on criteria and evidence. Candidates must critically analyze information, compare and contrast different perspectives, and make informed decisions. They should demonstrate the ability to evaluate the quality, validity, and reliability of information, arguments, or solutions.
Reference Material
The reference material for the ITAMOrg® Software Asset Management Specialist exam is as follows:
Van Haren Learning Solutions organizes the trainer accreditation for this certification program. More information on the accreditation process can be found on their website.