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Great blog on INformation Week about the problems the FDA has been having tracking the tainted tomatoes to the source, losing millions for the tomato industry.  RFID to the rescue!  Read a real-life example of technology at work:

http://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2008/06/how_technology.html?cid=nl_IWK_daily_H

We sent out a press release yesterday naming June as Software Asset Management month.  The idea is to draw attention to managing software and to encourage companies to step up their programs to manage it.  The timing couldn’t be more relevant.  Companies are trimming budgets and rather than cut something vital, how about reusing software instead of buying new?  How about negotiating better contracts to match what you really need?  How about “disposing” of software so that auditors don’t find extra copies in the environment at audit time? 

Software asset management is about process more than expensive products.  Although I mean that statement, I also don’t think SAM happens without discovery.  In my experience, I have seen more organizations with 3 products with discovery capability rather than none.  They may not work ideally, but they are there - either on the shelf or being used for part of the organization or part of its actual functionality.  For Animus consultants, we like to give our customers a quick hit list of success factors to help fuel enthusiasm in the project.  No matter the organization, SAM usually dominates that list.  SO, June is Software Asset Management.  Pay attention and it will pay back…

One of the sure signs to market maturity is consolidation through acquisition, where large vendors see the appeal of technology and purchase one of the developer companies to add quickly to their suite. We have watched IBM, HP, CA and BMC jump on board.  Front Range has joined the fray, stretching from their sweet spot of help desk into ITAM discovery and software compliance automation with the acquisition of Centennial Software.  Centennial, an exhibitor and provider member of IAITAM for years, has been successful selling to partners.  I believe most of us would be surprised to find out who is using Centennial Software, particularly the discovery product. 

Front Range has of course gotten involved with ITIL and service management, so it will be interesting to see how this acquisition works out.  As a British company with mostly UK staff (UK case studies and news dominate their website), I’m not sure how this will work out.   

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