Digital Innovation and Transformation

Software Licence Compliance and Optimisation

Software licences are one of the largest and least understood IT costs, and vendor audits can lead to large unbudgeted bills. This course teaches how to build software asset management processes, understand common licensing models for desktop, server and cloud software, prepare for vendor audits and optimise licence spend through reharvesting and right-sizing.

5 days Classroom or live online English

Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants

Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Organisations commonly overspend on unused licences while remaining exposed to audit penalties. You will learn to control both risks and costs.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.

Course methodology

How you will learn.

Licensing model exercises, entitlement reconciliation practice, audit simulation and case studies of savings programmes.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Explain software asset management principles
Understand common licensing and subscription models
Reconcile entitlements with deployments
Prepare for and manage vendor audits
Identify optimisation and savings opportunities
Build SAM policies, tools and governance

Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

IT asset and software asset managers
IT procurement professionals
IT managers and service owners
Finance managers controlling IT costs
Internal auditors

Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

Licence management
Contract analysis
Audit defence
Cost optimisation
Process governance

Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1Software Asset Management

09:00–10:08SAM lifecycle
10:08–11:00Risks and costs
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Risks and costs (continued)
11:45–12:53Roles and responsibilities
12:53–14:00Exercise: SAM maturity check

Day 2Licensing Models

09:00–10:08Perpetual and subscription licences
10:08–11:00User, device and core-based licensing
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45User, device and core-based licensing (continued)
11:45–12:53Cloud and SaaS subscriptions
12:53–14:00Workshop: licensing scenarios

Day 3Compliance Position

09:00–10:08Entitlement records
10:08–11:00Discovery and inventory tools
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Discovery and inventory tools (continued)
11:45–12:53Effective licence position
12:53–14:00Exercise: reconciliation

Day 4Vendor Audits

09:00–10:08Audit process and rights
10:08–11:00Responding to findings
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Responding to findings (continued)
11:45–12:53Negotiating settlements
12:53–14:00Simulation: vendor audit

Day 5Optimisation

09:00–10:08Reharvesting and right-sizing
10:08–11:00Renewal negotiation
11:00–11:30Coffee break
11:30–11:45Renewal negotiation (continued)
11:45–12:53SaaS management
12:53–14:00Savings plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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