Author: Balázs Boros

Software audit and license optimization is no longer just a compliance exercise, it is a direct cost-reduction lever, especially in mixed (on-prem, SaaS, IaaS/PaaS) environments. With Flexera (SAM/ITAM), we make usage transparent, identify over-licensing and the risks of under-licensing, then deliver concrete savings recommendations.

Our goal is fast ROI: we eliminate waste (e.g., unused SaaS subscriptions, redundant modules, misaligned license tiers) while reducing financial exposure in audits with major vendors such as Microsoft, Oracle, SAP and Adobe.

Why a software audit matters in 2025

In hybrid IT, licensing models are complex and organizations consume ever more cloud services and subscriptions. That creates three challenges: cost control, compliance and security. Flexera unifies disparate data sources (datacenter, endpoints, cloud, SaaS) so you get a consolidated view for decision making of actual usage and unnecessary spend.

  • Cost: we pinpoint unused licenses, oversized bundles and redundant applications
  • Compliance: we lower the financial exposure of vendor audits
  • Security: we highlight unsupported/outdated software, enabling IT security solutions to act

What Flexera delivers in practice

Flexera (SAM/ITAM) normalizes inventory data, reconciles installs with entitlements, and calculates true usage and cost.

Typical focus areas:

  • Datacenter software: edition and deployment optimization (e.g., CPU/CORE, virtualization, cluster rules)
  • Microsoft 365 / Google Workspace / Adobe: retire inactive and underused subscriptions or downshift plans
  • SaaS portfolio: shadow IT and redundant services (e.g., overlapping meeting and collaboration tools)
  • Cloud (IaaS/PaaS): mapping BYOL/Reserved Instances/Savings Plans and legitimate license conversions

Output: an Effective License Position (ELP), a prioritized savings backlog, short- and mid-term actions, and an executive summary.

Common risk and savings hotspots

  • Microsoft: M365 user subscription management, on-prem Server/SQL licensing in virtualized environments
  • Oracle: misapplied virtualization rules, options/packs billed after end-of-support, financial exposure in audits
  • SAP: indirect access (Digital Access) and measurement anomalies
  • Adobe: under-utilized premium plans
  • SaaS: duplicate chat/meeting/PM tools, inactive accounts, unnecessary enterprise add-ons
  • Cloud: BYOL vs on-demand, right-sizing instances

Audit steps

1

Preparation

Define objectives, scope, critical vendors and systems, identify data sources.

2

Data collection

Gather inventory and usage data (endpoints, servers, SaaS, cloud), configure integrations in Flexera.

3

Analysis

Reconcile installations and entitlements, interpret metrics, establish compliance position and cost picture.

4

Report and roadmap

Final ELP, savings opportunities prioritized for cost reduction, “quick wins” and mid-term initiatives.

5

Execution and follow-up

Rebalance licenses, prepare contract amendments, procurement support, and align with controls coming from the network audit.

IT and Finance receive transparent KPI reporting throughout, so decisions are business-backed.

Pricing and ROI

Our baseline engagement is delivered on a defined scope with a fixed fee. Optional extensions (e.g., additional vendors, expanded SaaS coverage, cloud deep dives) can be added on a time-and-materials basis. The focus is measurable value: verified savings, risk reduction, and clear ownership for execution.

  • Fast payback: decommission inactive/redundant licenses, downgrade plans, restructure contracts
  • Mid-term: architecture and metric optimization (e.g., virtualization rules, BYOL strategies)
  • Long-term: embed SAM/ITAM into financial planning and procurement

How it ties to network and security audits

Your license posture is the outcome of operational and security settings. Findings from the Network audit (e.g., lifecycle gaps) directly affect license compliance and risk. We therefore coordinate audits: SAM/ITAM findings and IT-security controls share one reporting structure and a unified roadmap.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a Flexera-based software audit take?

Typically 3-8 weeks (data collection, analysis, report, roadmap). With multiple vendors and clouds, it can take longer.


Do we need downtime or client-side installation?

No downtime required - data collection runs as an agent/agentless mix during normal operations on an agreed schedule.


What savings can we expect?

Enterprises often achieve 5-20% annual software and SaaS cost reduction, but the actual figure depends on your baseline.


Can this be aligned with procurement and IT security?

Yes. Our procurement and IT security teams support execution.