Software Asset Management: Analysis, Development and Implementation

Accessibility, security and portability of computer software and electronic data affects the integration of technology with our business, intellectual and personal lives. As software becomes increasingly popular in the workplace and at home, measures need to be put in place to encourage the legal use of software. Many software vendors have attempted such encouragement through their license agreements. But these written statements are often ignored or make little sense to those who attempt to understand them. Other deterrents of software use, including copy prevention techniques, dongles and time locks, have also been attempted, but have not been overwhelmingly successful. Some other means must be provided to educate the world on the implications of software piracy and encourage legal uses of software. Therefore, an analysis of ethical, legal, technical, managerial and economic issues, consummated in the proposed Software Asset Management Approbation Model, provides a theoretical view of why inappropriate uses of software must be discouraged by everyone who utilizes the benefits of computer software. The recommended framework for the development and implementation of organizational software asset management provides the groundwork for legal and cost effective uses of software.