Software Asset Management (SAM) The ITS / CLO Partnership in SAM Implementation By Fleming Woo Chief Computing Officer Information Technology Services Office
The role of CLO Follow the PolyU SAM policy and guidelines Assume leadership in the department – Advise departmental staff – Ensure use of legal software – Report violations
SAM measures - Education Observe SAM procedures and guidelines in departments Advise departmental users that only authorized software should be used Obtain technical assistance and guidelines for implementing SAM from ITS
SAM Measures - Monitoring Maintain an up-to-date departmental software inventory Lead periodic software scan exercise with the SAM tool Reconcile the number of installed software against the number of purchased licenses Monitor progress of SAM implementation in the department
SAM measures – Action against violation When unauthorized software is found, advise user to acquire license or to remove it Report repeated non-compliance to Head of Department
The Role of ITS In collaboration with CLO, advocate and promote SAM to all staff Assemble and disseminate up-to-date information about SAM Devise general guidelines and procedures Provide tools and help service Assist users in the SAM implementation Monitor overall progress
Good Practice Do not install unlicensed software Do not share or distribute software without a license to do so Do not download copyrighted software without the consent of the owner Study the conditions of the license before installing, including shareware and freeware Make sure your PCs are secure against unauthorized access
Good Practice (cont.) License right is only the right to use Users of licensed software do not have the same rights as the owner S/he should not : – Modify the software – Re-engineer the software such as decompile and redevelop the software – Distribute the software
Some Useful References “Frequently Asked Questions – Amendments to the Copyright Ordinance” Intellectual Property Department - Publication ublication.htm Government of the HKSAR –Software Asset Management
Some Useful References (cont.) Bilingual Laws Information System Microsoft website relevant to the US Copyright Law Business Software Alliance website:
Software Asset Management Q & A