Top 10 Software License Optimization Blogs in 2015

By John Emmitt

 As in past years, we are taking a look back at the most popular software asset management and license optimization blogs from the past year. This year I’m going to do this a little bit differently however, and provide the list of the most read blogs for 2015, including the ones that were written in previous years, and then the top 10 list of just the ones that were written in 2015. This way you’ll get to see what has been the most popular new content.

Most popular blogs in 2015 (published any time):

1. Oracle Database License Management in VMware Virtual Environments (Part 1 of 3)
2. Why a SKU is Important to Software Asset Management
3. Oracle Database License Management in VMware Virtual Environments (Part 2 of 3)
4. Oracle’s Magic Ratio
5. Windows Server 2012 Datacenter vs. Stacked Standard Edition Licenses
6. Managing Microsoft Client Access Licenses (Part 1 of 3)
7. Managing Microsoft Client Access Licenses (Part 2 of 3)
8. Gartner ITAM Core Skills Report Shows that the Needed Skills are Mostly About License Management
9. Managing Microsoft Client Access Licenses (Part 3 of 3)
10. Microsoft SQL Server Licensing Showdown -- Core versus Server + CAL

The blog series on managing Oracle Database licenses in VMware virtual environments continues to be very popular; Parts 1 and 2 were the top two blogs on the 2014 Top 10 List. 

The new blog series on Managing Microsoft Client Access Licenses (CALs) appears on both lists (see below). CALs are challenging due to their complexity and variety—User, Device, External Connector, base and additive CALs, CAL Suites, CAL Suite Bridges, etc. Read the blog series to learn more. (Part 1 was actually published in December 2014 so only appears on the “published any time” list above).

Most popular blogs in 2015 (published in 2015):

1. Managing Microsoft Client Access Licenses (Part 2 of 3)
2. Managing Microsoft Client Access Licenses (Part 3 of 3)
3. Why Software Audits Will be a Thing of the Past
4. Gartner Adds Software License Optimization as an IT Services Management Asset Class
5. Cloud and SaaS Make My Software License Management Problems Go Away, Right?
6. Are Software Vendor Audits Driving Your IT Strategy?
7. Use Gartner’s Tool Decision Framework to Select the Right Software Asset Management Tool
8. Higher Costs for Being Out of Compliance with IBM Licensing
9. Why Hardware Asset Management is One of the Building Blocks for Software License Optimization
10. Software License Optimization Maturity Model – Installation Assessed – Level 1

On the “published in 2015” list, we see that, in addition the series on Microsoft CALs, other popular topics were software audits, software license optimization and IT Service Management, and cloud / Software as a Service (SaaS). Software license audits continue to grow in frequency, with more software vendors taking this approach to ensure license compliance and drive additional revenue. The latest Gartner survey results indicate that about 68% of enterprises can expect to be audited at least once each year.

There has been a big trend toward companies integrating their IT Service Management and Software Asset Management (SAM) processes and tools. Gartner’s report (referenced in #4 above) discusses their IT Market Clock for ITSM 2.0, in which they added Software License Optimization (next generation SAM) as an “asset class” of IT Service Management. Asset classes, in the Gartner report, are those tools that support maturing ITSM implementations for organizations transitioning from a reactive to proactive service orientation. Gartner recommends action regarding Software License Optimization within 12 months, reflecting the highest level of urgency. Generally speaking, ITSM tools don't provide the level of support needed to accurately manage and optimize software licenses. You need Software License Optimization tools that can be integrated with your ITSM tools to manage your software estate effectively. (For more from Gartner, please view our on-demand webinar with guest speaker Victoria Barber: Core Best Practices to Drive Software Asset Management Success).

And of course, cloud and Software as a Service (SaaS) are major trends that impact software asset management. As discussed in the Blog: Cloud and SaaS Make My Software License Management Problems Go Away, Right?, enterprises face a new set of challenges when transitioning to cloud and SaaS delivery models. In particular, there are new challenges around managing costs when you are dealing with SaaS applications and cloud services.

Thanks for following the Software License Optimization Blog and best wishes for a Happy New Year!