The Federation Against
Software Theft (Fast) has launched an initiative to make it
easier for end users to manage their software licensing
requirements to contain costs and ensure
compliance.
The Software Industry Research Board (SIRB) is backed by major
software suppliers, including Microsoft.
John Lovelock, Fast chief executive, said, "The Software
Industry Research Board (SIRB) aims to address and simplify the
often diverse and confusing issues in the field of software asset
management and software license management.
"A fundamental premise of the SIRB is to ensure that it has a
clear understanding of end user perceptions and concerns, and to
work with its members to both educate and assist in the adoption of
best practices in managing software assets."
The SIRB has hired research firm IDC to conduct a survey of both
private and public sector organisations to assess their current
understanding of licensing practices, their attitudes towards
software acquisition, and to understand where they can make changes
to benefit from more cost-effective and risk-free software.
"Software asset management and IT governance initiatives are
taking up more CIO and IT manager time," said Fred Broussard, an
analyst at IDC. "This initiative can help narrow the gap between
the major vendors and the end user community in the efficient
management of software, by highlighting how better management
enhances end-user and IT productivity."
The research project will be concluded in July, and will be used
to underpin further SIRB initiatives in software management.