Financial directors lack confidence in SAM

BSA research claims despite an increase in software purchasing, many FDs are unsure it is deployed correctly within their firms

Financial directors (FDs) are unsure whether or not their software is being correctly deployed, according to the Business Software Alliance (BSA).

Research carried out by the BSA questioned about 250 UK FDs and revealed that just seven per cent were confident that the software in their offices is implemented properly.

This is despite 81 per cent saying their software spend has increased in the past five years, accounting for between six and 10 per cent of capital expenditure.

Alarmingly, only 12 per cent of FDs think that intellectual property is valued within their company, and a further 30 per cent admitted illegal software could be in use in their organisations.

Julian Swan, director of compliance marketing at the BSA, said: “To get the most out of their investments, FDs need to take a longer-term view about managing their software assets.

“Good planning will help mitigate the risks associated with unlicensed software use.”

Public sector firms are the least SAM-aware, the BSA claimed, with a third of organisations in the healthcare system not undertaking a software audit in the past 12 months.