Centennial unveils Centennial License Manager 2.1 solution
“Centennial Software a developer of Software Asset Management (SAM) and network audit solutions, launched last week the latest versions of Centennial License Manager and SAM.Suite, which feature several enhancements designed to help organizations better manage their various software licensing schemes and compliance reporting requirements.
With organizations typically purchasing software through multiple channels and licensing programs, creating an accurate view of entitlements is increasingly difficult. In addition, as firms structure individual operational units to operate as their own businesses, organizations need to balance the desire for internal cost center reporting against the need to demonstrate compliance at an enterprise level.
Centennial License Manager 2.1 addresses both of these business pains. With improved support for version maintenance software licensing schemes, such as Microsoft’s ‘Software Assurance’ model, Centennial License Manager helps organizations manage the myriad of desktop licensing schemes they use to purchase software. This helps to reduce the risk of accidentally falling foul of a particular scheme or vendor’s licensing rules.
Centennial Software is a developer of IT asset discovery and security management solutions with more than four million licenses sold to blue-chip organizations. Available through a global network of resellers and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) vendors, Centennial Software’s solutions are designed to help organizations better manage their IT infrastructure, maintain compliance and reduce operational risks. The company operates offices in the USA, UK, Germany and Australia.
For organizations with multiple operational units that want to be able to cross-charge or notionally allocate costs, License Manager 2.1 offers the ability to record and report software purchases against specific cost centers. This complements the new one-page vendor compliance reports, which are designed to ease the reporting burden on any company subject to a vendor or watchdog audit, and enable them to quickly show how a compliance position was reached.
Centennial Software has also continued working with major software vendors to build its online software catalog, a feature of License Manager that cuts down the manual overhead associated with validating license records against known vendor software items.
Andy Burton, CEO at Centennial Software, commented, “It is widely accepted that with the predicted downturn in economic times looming, compliance and audits will dramatically increase in 2008. Proactively managing software and licenses will help an organization minimize the cost and disruption associated with any vendor or watchdog audit. With our combination of Centennial Discover, Centennial License Manager and Centennial SAM Essentials, we are now able to offer market-leading technology, documented best practices and specialist training designed to help users manage their software estate both in terms of compliance and cost control.”
Since Centennial License Manager’s launch in September last year, more than 100 organizations have purchased the solution to help them manage their software. Centennial License Manager can be combined with the Centennial Discovery network audit solution to form Centennial SAM.Suite, a complete solution for managing software and licenses across the enterprise.
William Hewish at London Scottish Bank, a Centennial SAM.Suite user, commented: “We take managing the software we use seriously, both from a cost control and license compliance point of view. Centennial SAM.Suite helps us with the entire SAM process, from the identification on software installed on the 70-site network through to the recording and reconciliation of licenses for our 2,000-plus PCs.”
Centennial License Manager 2.1 is available to new customers from today. Typical pricing for 500 PCs is US$ 9.12 per seat for License Manager or US$ 32.83 for the combined SAM.Suite solution, which incorporates License Manager and Centennial Discovery. ”
About Martin Thompson
Martin is also the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the ITAM industry created to raise the profile of the profession and bring an organisational certification to market. On a voluntary basis Martin is a contributor to ISO WG21 which develops the ITAM International Standard ISO/IEC 19770.
He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.
Prior to founding the ITAM Review in 2008 Martin worked for Centennial Software (Ivanti), Silicon Graphics, CA Technologies and Computer 2000 (Tech Data).
When not working, Martin likes to Ski, Hike, Motorbike and spend time with his young family.
Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.