Software store option
Snow’s Software Store Option
enables organizations to provide
an effective self-service portal for
software requests that empowers
end users while giving greater control
to the SAM team
Software store option
Snow’s Software Store Option gives users a familiar, consumer-like experience when ordering the software they
need. By accessing an automated, online software catalog that is populated and controlled by Snow License
Manager, users can quickly select what they want themselves at their own convenience. At the same time, Snow
License Manager provides administrators and other stakeholders with full visibility of consumption patterns,
enabling them to make informed decisions and optimize software asset management across an IT estate. By
controlling the applications that are made available to end users through Snow License Manager simplifies the
complex task of ensuring license compliance.
Using existing capabilities in Snow License Manager, SAM managers can also keep track of which organizational units
are using what licenses for chargeback purposes; and auto-allocation ensures that licenses are allocated in the most
efficient manner so that users can be as productive as possible without unnecessary delay. Software usage reporting
enables managers to determine software consumption trends and plan their procurement decisions which in turn
enables better vendor management and significant cost savings.
USER-CENTRIC SAM
Software licensing has traditionally been thought of
as a linear process from purchase through licensing,
deployment and compliance but today that’s not the case.
With Snow’s Software Store Option, software goes through
a cycle of not just being requested and approved but also
of being monitored, reharvested (if not used) and put back
in the license pool ready to be requested by another user.
This results in higher user satisfaction and productivity.
Users access their applications quickly using a very familiar
request process. The organization’s license compliance
position is maintained, as the Software Store functionality
ensures users only access applications that have been
made available through Snow License Manager and the
business has its costs optimized as unused software is
reharvested for future use. This removes overspend on
licenses and helpdesk costs are reduced thanks to the
automation of software requests.
WORKFLOWS
Snow’s Software Store Option comes with predefined
workflows. Once a user has requested software, a workflow
is initiated, first the ‘organizational approval’ is completed
by the user’s selected approver. The second step in the
workflow is set in Snow License Manager for the application
owner. Both these approval steps are optional.
REQUEST
APPROVE
This is followed by the software installation which is
integrated with Active Directory and will put either the user
or the computer into the corresponding Active Directory
group. The final step is where an email is sent to the
requesting user confirming that the software installation
has been initiated.
INSTALL
NOTIFY
KEY FEATURES
SOFTWARE STORE
APPROVAL WORKFLOWS & NOTIFICATIONS
The Software Store Option features shopping cart
functionality and cost transparency. It supports rolebased management to restrict available applications
to specific groups of users as well as place controls on
application administration. Users are verified with Windows
authentication and are logged into the portal automatically.
Customizable workflows enable business owners to approve/
reject requests automatically. Users select their approver
when making the order and can optionally write a motivation
for the request. They can track where in the process their
request is, and are notified when their request has been
fulfilled. Other email alerts can be triggered automatically.
SELF-SERVICE
VISIBILITY AND CONTROL
Via a web browser, users can request the installation (or
uninstallation) of software at the time of need in a very
intuitive, familiar way (deployment is accomplished using
Active Directory group memberships).
Business managers benefit from cost transparency across
business units or the entire organization. The built-in
request monitor gives an overview of all placed orders. It
is possible to search by user, date and status and re-run
workflow steps if wrong information was supplied.
BUSINESS BENEFITS
LICENSING COMPLIANCE & COMPREHENSIVE SAM
CONTROLS
Snow License Manager provides a consolidated view of all
assets across the network, enabling staff to use just one
interface to manage multiple software vendors, device types
and locations. Users can contribute to the SAM process by
uninstalling software that they no longer need. Application
owners are able to monitor usage through Snow License
Manager and maintain license compliance.
AUTOMATED PROCESSES
IT, HR, Helpdesk and other central resources are freed from
time-consuming and repetitive tasks, and service delays
instantly become a thing of the past.
EMPOWERS BUSINESS OWNERS
Business owners manage the approval process and can
control their departmental budgets and are able to monitor
license availability.
USER-CENTRIC
Users can easily search for applications giving them fast
access to the software they need. This improves their
satisfaction with IT as well as their own productivity. Emails
are customizable to conform to an organization’s branding.
REQUEST MANAGEMENT
In addition to placing orders, end users can see the history
of all their requests. They can also see the list of their
current software and uninstall it, even if it was not originally
ordered through the Software Store. Line managers get a
list of orders waiting for their approval, and can multiapprove to save time.
REDUCES COSTS
Helpdesk costs are immediately lowered by delivering an
automated request-to-delivery approval process, defining
single approvers, approval groups or approval chains as
required.
ANALYST VIEW
Gartner Inc.: Access control and enterprise app stores are needed to enrich the next wave of SAM tools and services and
enable license compliance ending the struggle to dictate what software end users have access to and how they use it.
Source: Gartner Inc.: Predicts 2013: New Trends Bring New Challenges for IT Asset Management and Procurement. December 18, 2013
Analysts: Rob Schafer, Alexa Bona, Stewart Buchanan
SNOW SAM PLATFORM
Snow license manager
Snow inventory
With millions of licenses sold, Snow License
Manager is the world’s leading SAM solution.
The true multi-platform audit solution designed to
find devices, audit software installs and track usage.
Software recognition service
Snow integration connectors
Recognize commercially-licensable
applications across the network.
Integrate Snow’s SAM platform with existing
Inventory, ITAM and Service Management solutions.
Oracle managemant option
Snow optimizer for SAP software
Cut the costs of managing complex
Oracle licenses.
Manage SAP licensing to optimize one of the
enterprise’s largest software costs.
Virtualization management
Software store option
Identify and manage virtual assets across
the network.
User-centric software request portal with integrated
dynamic and proactive Software Asset Management.
ABOUT SNOW SOFTWARE
Snow’s Mission is to stop organizations paying too high a price for the software they consume.
To bring transparency and fairness to the licensing of software across the network, Snow provides on-premise and cloudbased Software Asset Management (SAM) solutions that safeguard the US $320 billion spent each year on enterprise
software: ensuring organizations realize the full benefit of optimized licensing.
Snow is the largest dedicated developer of SAM solutions, headquartered in Sweden with more than 300 staff across
15 regional locations, three development centers and local support teams in seven territories.
[email protected]
SNOWSOFTWARE.COM