Terms of use
For further information contact: Steven Russman, 734/930-1925 E-mail: Services@IBSMA.com
Ann Arbor, Mich. (Oct. 8, 2010) Corporate software managers face a dynamic and often unpredictable market today for the tools they need to help them manage their company's software purchases, licenses and operations. Considering the rate of new players in this industry and new products brought to market, it's no wonder finding the right tool can be a challenge.
Companies evaluating tools today have more options, ranging from on-premises to software-as-a-service and license and entitlement-management tools to full-function suites. This is why independent and comprehensive tool assessments and comparisons are an invaluable instrument that saves time and money.
Tools Manager, a publication that rates software asset management and IT asset management tools, digs deep into the latest product offerings, from companies such as Aspera, IBM, CA, HP and Flexera Software. "We work with product management at the software tool companies to provide a full view of each product's features and functions, but we also collect data from end users, plus our own assessors give the tools a thorough test drive," says Steven Russman, editor of Tools Manager.
Russman's reviews, issued several times a year, use a rating system that assesses each tool's attributes, such as ease-of-use, inventory management, wizards and menus, compliance to standards, depth of the software reconciliation library and a dozen more points designed to provide an extensive measure of the product's functions. Each Tools Manager edition focuses on a single vendor, typically one with a new product or version about to launch.
In a recent review of IBM's License Metric Tool (ILMT), Tools Manager affirmed that IBM delivers what it promises with ILMT, a well-designed tool to capture and report usage for license compliance. Tools Manager says that customers looking for more will need to upgrade to the full version of Tivoli Asset Discovery and Tivoli Asset Management for IT or another product for repository functions.
Tools Manager strives to provide readers with not only a nuts-and-bolts product assessment but also an experienced interpretation of a company's direction. "We always ask the software company about its roadmap and plans for the future, and the next version of its tool," says Russman. "Many are open to telling us their plans but others are not and require confidentiality agreements, so we're not permitted to share all the materials with our readers, however, we can share our opinions and where we see specific companies headed."
Russman, a 13-year veteran of the software asset management field, is the executive director of the International Business Software Managers Association, the world's largest nonprofit association of business-focused software management professionals, which hosts an annual conference for software asset managers along with continuing education and certifications.
"As the software asset management product landscape continues to shift and new tools are brought to market more rapidly," says Russman, "Tools Manager is ready to provide SAM professionals with the insights and objective information they need to succeed."
Tools Manager reviews are available online at IBSMA.com. First-time users must register to access free and premium content on the site.
Managing Editor Steven Russman
Editor Carolyn Schwaar
Published by ECP Media LC 400 North First Street Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 U.S.A. ECPweb.com Office and fax: 1.734.930.1925
ECP articles are provided to IBSMA by arrangement with ECPweb.com.
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information regarding the subject matter. Neither the publisher nor the author(s) is offering legal, accounting or tax advice. Although care has been exercised and every attempt made to verify the information in this publication, neither the publisher nor the author(s) is responsible for errors or omissions. Neither the publisher nor the author(s) is affiliated with nor endorsed by any organization listed here or by any subsidiary company. Trademarks are the property of their respective owners. ITIL® is a registered trademark of the United Kingdom’s Office of Government Commerce. The Certified by ECPweb.com logo is a licensed trademark of ECP Media. The publication may be printed for personal use. The publication MAY NOT be printed for distribution in a public or private venue (i.e., conferences, trade shows, direct mailing, etc.).
© 2010 ECP Media LC (ECPweb.com) No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopied, recorded or other) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO DISTRIBUTE OR RESELL THIS PUBLICATION IN ANY FORM WITHOUT THE EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE PUBLISHER. THIS PUBLICATION IS LICENSED FOR PERSONAL USE. IN ADDITION TO LEGAL ACTION, THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER MAY BE CHARGED FOR ALL ILLEGAL COPIES.
