Number of software audits doubles

Fast unveils hardware and software management tool to help firms get a grip on their assets

Research from software asset management (SAM) specialist Fast Ltd suggests more than half of end users have been audited by a vendor or trade body in the past year.

The 2010 Fast Ltd Customer Survey found that the number of UK firms to have received a software audit in the previous year had more than doubled on 2009. Some 55 per cent of companies reported that a vendor or compliance body had paid them a visit in the preceding 12 months.

Fast managing director Matthew Barnes said: "These figures show that it is imperative that organisations have an understanding of what they own."

Fast has teamed up with IT asset management (ITAM) player Express Metrix to launch Fast Express Software Manager. The tool aims to enable firms to manage their software and hardware assets and track IT spending. It is available exclusively to firms on the Fast Programme and has been designed as a complement to the Fast Compliance Manager product.

Barnes added: "The partnership with Express Metrix is an exciting development for Fast Ltd as we can now offer our customers a complete package, which is great news for many organisations looking to work with one specialist company to ensure they are legally compliant."