Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why use Certero?
2. What makes Certero different?
3. What vendor qualifications does Certero have?
4. What is the simple definition of Software Asset Management or SAM?
5. What is the detailed definition of Software Asset Management or SAM?
6. What is valid proof of license?
7. Do we need to join FAST - Federation Against Software Theft to prove compliance?
8. What is Software Piracy?

1. Why use Certero?

Certero does not sell licences or rely on licensing revenue. This means you can be confident that we will present you with the best licensing options to meet your business objectives.

Being informed about your licensing position prior to any vendor audit allows you to make proactive decisions about the use of software. This could save your organisation hundreds of thousands of pounds.

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2. What makes Certero different?

Our consultants don't just have licensing expertise. They have many years of experience of managing large complex estates in both Public and Private Sector and understand the everyday challenges faced by the IT Department.

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3. What vendor qualifications does Certero have?

Our consultants have formal qualifications in:

• ITSM IT Service Management
• Microsoft MCSE, MCSA, MCP, MLSE, MLSS
• Citrix CCA, CCSP
• VMware VSP
• Prince2 Practitioner
• Novell CNA

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4. What is the simple definition of SAM?

"The infrastructure and processes necessary for the effective management, control and protection of the software assets within an organisation, throughout all stages of their lifecycle" – source: OGC (Office of Government Commerce)

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5. What is the detailed definition of SAM?

Software Asset Management is an organisation process, which is outlined in ISO/IEC 19770-1. It is also embraced within ISO 27001:2005 Information Technology - Security Techniques - Information Security Management Systems - Requirements and ISO/IEC 17799:2005 Information Technology - Security Techniques - Code of Practice for Information Security Management.

Software Asset Management is a comprehensive strategy that has to be addressed from top to bottom in an organization to be effective, to minimize risk. A software compliance audit is an important sub-set of Software Asset Management and is covered in the above referenced standards. At its simplest it involves the following:

• Identification of Software Assets
• Verifying the Software Assets including licenses, usage, and rights
• Identifying gaps that may exist between what exists on the installations, the licenses possessed, and the rights of usage
• Taking action to close any gaps
• Recording the results in a centralized location with Proof Of Purchase records

The Audit process itself should be a continuing action, which can only be done effectively by using software products such as Certero AssetStudio™ which identifies what is installed, where it is installed, its usage, and provides a reconciliation of this discovery against usage. This is a very useful means of controlling software installations and lowering the costs of licensing.

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6. What is valid proof of license?

The following list outlines what are classed as valid and non-valid Proof of License.

Valid proof of License:

• Dated invoices in the name of the organisation the Compliance Audit is being done for
• Soft Records (online account statements) for recognised resellers/manufacturers
• Signed and dated Licence Agreements
• Cash register receipts for retail sales where Product, Version, Quantity and Price are included

Non-valid Proof of License:

• Copies of cheques to software vendors
• Dated Purchase Orders
• Updated software Licences
• Credit Card Statements which show software purchases
• Certificates of Authenticity (Except for some OEM Operating Systems)
• Media, Manuals or key-codes
• Invoices bearing a name other than the organisation that the Compliance Audit is being done for

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7. Do we need to join FAST - Federation Against Software Theft to prove compliance?

No, Obtaining FAST certification provides no indemnity or guarantee that you will not be investigated by a software publisher. Their certification is not recognised by publishers as guaranteeing compliance.

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8. What is Software Piracy?

Software piracy is the unauthorised copying or distribution of copyrighted software. This can be done by copying, downloading, sharing, selling, or installing multiple copies onto personal or work computers. What a lot of people don't realise or don't think about is that when you purchase software, you are actually purchasing a license to use it, not the actual software. It is that license that tells you how many times you can install the software, so it's important to read it. If you make more copies of the software than the license permits, you are pirating - Source: BSA Business Software Alliance.

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If you would like more information on any of our products and services then please contact us using the details at the top of this page or fill in our Online Enquiry Form.