Software asset management (SAM) is a necessity in the modern workplace due to the need for businesses to ensure their assets are adequately protected by software licenses, it has been said.

A number of raids and legal actions involving careless businesses with such giants as Microsoft has highlighted the need for SAM solutions, with IT audits regularly testing the mettle of businesses, according to Kacey Weinberg of Aspera GmbH.

SAM, she added, has the ability measure the need for software licenses against the use of the programs themselves, showing which were underused or not needed.

Ms Weinberg stressed that businesses should also avoid simply researching the SAM solution that they would like to use before completely committing money and effort to the project.

"Look at the solution provider as a partner who will work with you to establish effective processes for software license management and train your IT staff to gain an understanding of the data and procedures on an ongoing basis," she concluded.

Management of software needs to be effective and given as much attention as the maintenance of the software's quality, Microsoft stated.

In a recent survey of SMEs for Connect, the two most important benefits of outsourcing were guaranteed response times and allowing in-house IT staff to concentrate on more strategic issues.