Why Software Asset Management (SAM) matters
Software isn’t just files on a drive – it’s a fluid, high-value asset that can be copied in seconds and behaves differently depending on how it is used. We think of software as a living ecosystem: two identical installs can carry wildly different licence obligations based on usage patterns, integrations, and version updates.
At the same time, today’s hybrid-cloud environments only add complexity. Inventories grow hourly, and control points shift between on-premises, public cloud, and Saas platforms. That’s why we approach Software Asset Management not as a one-off project, but as an ongoing strategy that is rooted in continuous discovery, risk-based prioritisation, and automation.
Our approach in action
With over 20 years of hands-on experience, we’ve built proprietary software like SAM Navigator to automate these principles at scale. Our world-class experts partner with you to craft a customised roadmap – combining data-driven insights, best-practice frameworks, and continuous improvement loops – so you can unlock significant cost savings and avoid hidden operational and financial risks.
Our perspective on tackling SAM challenges
Many organisations struggle with Software Asset Management because it’s often treated as a compliance checkbox rather than a strategic lever. Effective SAM isn’t just about staying audit ready – it’s about making smarter, value-driven decisions across your entire software estate.
How we think about it:
Software Cost Optimisation
KPMG SAM Services deliver significant cost savings to our clients, in many cases returning many times our engagement fees in commercial benefits.
Benefits that go way beyond compliance
When done right, Software Asset Management (SAM) doesn’t just keep you compliant – it saves serious money, reduces risk, and gives you the confidence to make smarter software decisions.
We’re talking about:
- Ongoing cost savings
- Protection from vendor audits
- Clearer licence positions during M&A or cloud migrations
- Better reuse and provisioning of licences
- More control over sprawling hybrid and SaaS environments
Even if you’ve started your SAM journey, things can go sideways fast without the right day-to-day processes. Poor coordination, patchy data, or unclear roles can slow everything down – or worse, leave you exposed to audit and compliance risks.
That’s why we created SAM Navigator – our proprietary platform built specifically to tackle the realities of modern software management.
With SAM Navigator, you get:
- Best-in-class processes, backed by KPMG’s software licensing specialists
- Trusted data, aligned to vendor-specific terms and real-world usage
- Actionable insights, not just raw inventory metrics
- A way to make SAM repeatable, sustainable, and value-generating – not just a one-off fix
Traditional SAM tools stop at inventory. SAM Navigator goes further – giving clean, reliable, context-rich data you can act on, even for the most complex licensing models.
Services
We offer an expansive range of services that support a variety of strategic and tactical business needs, whether you require a comprehensive outsourced service (SAMaaS) or targeted support on specific problems.
Meet our global team
We operate a global network of SAM service teams with Centres of Excellence in UK, USA, Germany, Australia, and India, leading work across the world.
Our ITAM practise has been established for over 20 years and our people are the reason we've stood the test of time! Today you'll find dedicated teams of ITAM professionals in KPMG offices across the world. These are world class experts in IT operations, asset management, and software licensing, who take on some of the gnarliest problems the ITAM industry has to solve. We think globally, and act locally. That means you can have a dedicated local team of ITAM experts working with you day to day who will link into our global community of over 350 like minded professionals in order to solve your problems fast.
