Organizations and individuals from around the world visit softwaremanagers.org. The greatest number are in the U.S.A. People from China are the next most frequent visitors, with an equal number from unidentified countries.

There have been visitors from Israel, Spain, European Union, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Great Britain, Netherlands, India, Sweden, Taiwan and Hungary.

Thanks to those that have renewed their memberships!

It's been a year. SMRI is an official 501(c)(3) now. Our "rolling start" continues. This field is still not very high on the radar yet despite it's tremendous value. If you have any comments we have set up:

1. Blogs and comments here on SoftwareManagers.org
2. Keep an eye on the announce mail list
3. Discuss your ideas on the members mail list for discussion
4. You can get a response by sending to the SMRI board mail list - someone will get back to you.

SoftwareManagers.org is a nonprofit, professional resource for those interested in meeting software and hardware asset management needs. We do this by facilitating the nonpartisan sharing of business, legal and technical perspectives.

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Thank you for joining!

What is Software Asset Management (SAM)? In it's simplest form, SAM keeps records about, and tracks, purchased software throughout it's useful life. Records include purchasing information, licenses, agreements, computer on which the software is installed, its availability for assignment, who is using each piece of software, and in which departement and location the user resides. Software management also ensures that all software media is kept in a secure location.

Can I track software without tracking hardware? Not really. However, hardware is a physical asset where traditional inventory and asset tracking methods can be used. SAM depends on an effective hardware asset tracking system to be successful. The two tracking functions need to be integrated.

Why was SoftwareManagers.org created? There is no other industry organization focused exclusively on providing nonpartisan support for hands-on professionals.

SoftwareManagers.org is focused on commercial software. What about Open Source? There is a great gap of understanding between those that rely on commercially developed software applications and those that rely on Open Source or Free Software. There are now hybrid & dual licensing models, so even some appications that are presumed to be "Open Source" must be treated like any other commercial software product in order to meet the terms of their licensing agreements in a business environment.