Microsoft is offering to help businesses get a better handle on their software licensing through the release of its new software asset management (SAM) optimisation framework.

The framework provides a mechanism for firms to align their licensing with business requirements in a more cost-effective manner than traditional asset assessments, said Michala Wardell, head of anti piracy and licensing at Microsoft UK.

“Historically asset management consisted of a snapshot of an organisation’s assets and if they had too much they would get rid of a few things but the SAM model takes the evaluation further to ensure long term savings,” argued Wardell.

Wardell said the programme will measure performance and evaluate the level of maturity of SAM practices, for example through comparing how the customer purchased previously to current spending practice.

Customers will be rated according to the sophistication of their asset management strategy. The ratings range from basic, standardised, rationalised or dynamic, depending on how much users' strategies negate risk to the business.

Customers emerging from the programme will be able to understand how to target the appropriate licenses to the right software assets at the right time, reduce waste and productivity, and know how to take advantage of more strategic licensing, said Michael Beare, director of license compliance at Microsoft in a Q &A on Microsoft’s web site.

Nevertheless, the framework is likely to meet with scepticism from certain quarters: software vendors have historically had a tough time convincing users that such programmes are intended to benefit them and are not simply a mechanism to wring out more licence sales.

The framework could include the use of questionnaires and could require users to attend workshops run by a Microsoft reseller - which they then may be charged for.

“The nature of Microsoft’s tactic of paying partners to conduct audits means the success or otherwise of this initiative is very much in the channel’s hand,” said Matt Fisher at IT service management firm FrontRange Solutions, another Microsoft Gold Partner.