ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software Asset Management (SAM-E v 1.0)

Course Objectives

Candidates who take the exam should be able to demonstrate knowledge and comprehension of the lifecycle,
and be able to recognize where Software Asset Management is applicable within their own environment. Holders
of the ISEB Certificate in SAM Essentials will be able to demonstrate their competence in, and their ability
to:

• Describe the objectives and major activities required to implement SAM within an organisation
• Explain and use SAM techniques and processes
• Be aware of the support tools and techniques available for the implementation of SAM and be able to indicate
  how possible improvements can be made
• Manage software assets through the stages of their lifecycle
• Prepare and distribute SAM reports and plans throughout the organisation.
• Understand and explain the interdependencies between SAM and other IT & Service Management processes
• Make more efficient use of software licenses within an organisation and define, produce and analyse
  measurements and metrics
• Assist organisations develop effective SAM processes in line with evolving SAM standards
• Justify and sell the benefits of a SAM initiative.
• Understand the impact of software ownership, legal risks and non compliance.

Course outline

The course is delivered in a classroom using PowerPoint slides. The 3 days of training will consist of lectures, practical
sessions, team workshops as well as question & answer sessions.

A mock exam will also be given to the candidates on the third day, which will help them emphasise on ambiguous topics
prior to the exam. 

The course covers all aspects of the ITIL SAM book including:

Introduction to SAM:
Wide introduction to all aspects of SAM ranging from compliance to history of publisher activities. Description of risks
associated with software and its usage. understanding the special characteristics of software assets & software licenses,
software compliance & Intellectual Property.

The Business case:
Obtaining the appropriate information in order to produce a comprehensive SAM business case, including business
benefits, costs, timescales, approach and templates; As well as producing a business case.

Roles & responsibilities:
A guide through all roles associated with good Software Asset Management. Including understanding skills and responsibilities required to carry out specific roles such as audit, reconciliation work and contract management.

Policies and processes:
Overall management processes, core asset management, logistics processes, verification and compliance and relationship
processes.

Implementing SAM:
Understanding and identifying all cyclical stages of implementing SAM: Preparation / Getting there / Staying there /
Proving you can stay there.
Understanding different resource requirements for project and business as usual activities.

Tools & techniques:

• Understanding all methods & technical applications available to support any SAM system.
• Distinguishing between types of SAM tools and their usage.
• Selecting and procuring the appropriate tool
• Managing and maintaining SAM information.

SAM Reporting:
A look at the kind of reports and their content in order to support the business requirements I.e.: financial, compliance
or operational. Identify and produce regular and ad-hoc SAM related reports. Defining measurements, metrics and Key
Performance Indicators (KPIs), analyzing and acting on reports.

Mapping SAM to ITIL :
A closer look at how SAM as a subject links to other areas of ITIL and the overall importance of running strong inventories
when setting up an ITIL framework. This aims to identify and describe the interfaces and dependencies that SAM
has with other IT and Service Management processes.

Training booklets comprising of the course slides will be distributed during the training.

After taking the course delegates will be able to sit a formal 1 hour examination set by BCS ISEB. The examination will
comprise of 40 multiple choice questions and candidates will need to obtain a pass mark of at least 26/40 to pass the
examination.