Pass Your Microsoft MCP 70-713 Exam Easy!

Microsoft 70-713 (Software Asset Management (SAM) - Core) exam dumps vce, practice test questions, study guide & video training course to study and pass quickly and easily. Microsoft 70-713 Software Asset Management (SAM) - Core exam dumps & practice test questions and answers. You need avanset vce exam simulator in order to study the Microsoft MCP 70-713 certification exam dumps & Microsoft MCP 70-713 practice test questions in vce format.

Understanding the 70-713 Exam and its Enduring Relevance

The Microsoft 70-713 exam, leading to the "SAM - Software Asset Management - Core" certification, was a unique credential focused on the principles and practices of managing software assets effectively. It was designed for IT professionals, licensing specialists, and consultants who needed to validate their ability to design, implement, and manage a robust Software Asset Management (SAM) program. The exam tested a candidate's knowledge of the entire software lifecycle, from procurement and deployment to retirement, as well as the complexities of software licensing and compliance.

It is important for any prospective candidate to know that the 70-713 Exam was officially retired by Microsoft. However, the skills and knowledge it represents are more critical today than ever before. In an age of complex hybrid environments, cloud subscriptions, and increasing software audit activity, the discipline of SAM is a cornerstone of financial governance, cybersecurity, and operational efficiency in IT. The principles tested in this exam remain the gold standard for any effective SAM program.

Therefore, studying the objectives of the 70-713 Exam provides an excellent, structured framework for learning the discipline of Software Asset Management. The exam's domains—assessing a SAM program, designing and managing it, handling the software lifecycle, and applying data management principles—cover the complete spectrum of competencies required for a SAM professional. These skills are essential for helping organizations control costs, mitigate legal and financial risks associated with non-compliance, and make informed decisions about their software investments.

This five-part series will use the official curriculum of the 70-713 Exam as a roadmap to guide you through the world of Software Asset Management. In this first part, we will establish the foundation by exploring the core objectives of SAM and the initial, critical phase of assessing an organization's current SAM maturity. This is the starting point for any successful SAM initiative.

The Core Objectives of Software Asset Management (SAM)

Before diving into the technical aspects, it is crucial to understand the business drivers behind Software Asset Management, a key theme of the 70-713 Exam. At its core, SAM is a business practice that involves managing and optimizing the purchase, deployment, maintenance, utilization, and disposal of software assets within an organization. The primary objective is to ensure that the organization is fully compliant with all of its software license agreements, thereby avoiding the significant legal and financial penalties that can result from a software audit.

Beyond compliance, a major objective of SAM is cost optimization. A mature SAM program provides a clear and accurate picture of all the software that has been deployed across the enterprise. This visibility allows organizations to identify underutilized or unused software, a process often called "license harvesting." By uninstalling this software and reallocating the licenses, companies can avoid purchasing new licenses unnecessarily, leading to substantial cost savings. SAM also helps to standardize software versions, reducing support costs.

SAM also plays a vital role in improving an organization's cybersecurity posture. An accurate and up-to-date software inventory is a prerequisite for effective patch management and vulnerability scanning. A SAM program helps to identify and eliminate unauthorized or unsupported software from the environment, which can be a common entry point for malware and other security threats. It ensures that only approved and properly patched software is running on the network.

Finally, a strong SAM program improves operational efficiency and provides valuable data for strategic decision-making. It centralizes and automates many of the tasks associated with managing software, freeing up IT resources. The data gathered through SAM can help to forecast future software needs, negotiate better contracts with vendors, and support IT strategic planning. The 70-713 Exam will test your understanding of these multifaceted benefits.

Assessing a SAM Program: The Starting Point

The first major domain of the 70-713 Exam focuses on the initial assessment of an organization's Software Asset Management program. This is the critical first step in any SAM initiative, as it establishes a baseline and helps to identify the current state of maturity. You cannot improve what you cannot measure. The assessment phase is about gathering the data needed to understand the organization's current software landscape, its existing processes, and the gaps that need to be addressed.

The assessment process involves a comprehensive review of the people, processes, and technology involved in managing software assets. This includes interviewing key stakeholders from different departments, such as IT, procurement, finance, and legal, to understand their current roles and challenges. It also involves reviewing any existing documentation, such as procurement policies, deployment procedures, and records of software purchases.

The goal of the assessment is to determine the organization's current SAM maturity level. This is often measured against an industry-standard model, which might categorize the maturity into levels such as "Basic," "Standardized," "Rationalized," and "Dynamic." This maturity level provides a clear starting point and helps in creating a realistic roadmap for improvement.

The findings from this initial assessment are then compiled into a report that is presented to the key stakeholders and potential executive sponsors. This report will highlight the current risks (such as potential compliance gaps) and the potential opportunities (such as cost savings), and will be used to build the business case for investing in a formal SAM program.

Performing a SAM Baseline Review

A core component of the initial SAM assessment, and a key topic for the 70-713 Exam, is the creation of a SAM baseline. A baseline is a point-in-time snapshot of the organization's software installations and their corresponding license entitlements. The process involves two main streams of data collection: discovering what software is installed on all the devices in the environment, and gathering all the proof of license entitlement for that software.

Creating the inventory of installed software is a technical exercise. It involves using discovery and inventory tools to scan every server, desktop, laptop, and other device on the network to collect a detailed list of all the software applications that are present. The accuracy and completeness of this inventory are absolutely critical for the success of the SAM program.

Simultaneously, a separate effort is required to collect all the entitlement data. This involves working with the procurement and finance departments to gather all the records of software purchases. This includes license agreements, purchase orders, invoices, and any other documents that serve as proof of ownership. This can often be a challenging process, as these records may be spread across different departments and systems.

Once both the inventory data and the entitlement data have been collected, they are reconciled. This process of comparing what is installed versus what is owned is what produces the initial Effective License Position (ELP). The ELP will show where the organization is over-licensed (and therefore wasting money) and, more importantly, where it is under-licensed and at risk of non-compliance.

Key Data Collection Technologies and Methods

The accuracy of a SAM program depends entirely on the quality of the data it is based on. The 70-713 Exam expects you to be familiar with the various technologies and methods used to collect this data. For software inventory, the most common approach is to use an agent-based discovery tool. An agent is a small piece of software that is installed on each device. It runs in the background, collects detailed hardware and software information, and reports it back to a central management server.

In some cases, agentless discovery methods may be used. These methods use network-based protocols, such as WMI on Windows, to remotely query devices for their inventory information without needing to install a permanent agent. While this can be useful for sensitive servers where agents are not allowed, it is generally less comprehensive than an agent-based approach.

Data can also be collected from existing IT management systems. For example, many organizations use systems like Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) for software deployment and patch management. These systems often already contain a wealth of software inventory data that can be imported into the SAM tool. Leveraging existing data sources can accelerate the data collection process.

For collecting entitlement data, the process is often more manual. It involves gathering physical documents, searching through procurement systems, and sometimes even contacting software vendors or resellers directly to obtain a history of purchases. Centralizing all this entitlement information into a single, trusted repository is a key goal of the SAM program.

Analyzing Gaps in Your Data Collection

No data collection process is perfect. An important skill for a SAM professional, and a concept relevant to the 70-713 Exam, is the ability to analyze the collected data for gaps and inconsistencies. Once you have gathered your initial inventory, you need to assess its completeness and accuracy. Are there any parts of the network that were not scanned? Are there any devices, like laptops that are often offline, that were missed?

You need to compare the list of devices discovered by your inventory tool with other sources of truth, such as the list of computers in Active Directory or the assets listed in your configuration management database (CMDB). Any discrepancies need to be investigated to ensure that you have a complete picture of your IT environment.

Similarly, on the entitlement side, you need to look for gaps in your purchasing records. Are there any major software products, like Microsoft Office, for which you have found thousands of installations but can only find a few purchasing records? This is a major red flag that indicates a potential compliance risk and requires a deeper investigation with the procurement team.

Identifying and documenting these data gaps is a critical output of the assessment phase. It highlights the areas where the organization's current processes are weak and provides a clear set of action items for improving data quality as you move forward with the implementation of the formal SAM program.

An Introduction to SAM Standards like ISO/IEC 19770

To provide a framework for best practices, a number of international standards have been developed for Software Asset Management. The most important of these, and a key reference for the 70-713 Exam, is the ISO/IEC 19770 family of standards. This set of standards provides a formal, globally recognized framework for implementing and certifying a SAM program. Adhering to these standards can help an organization to achieve a high level of SAM maturity.

The cornerstone of the family is ISO/IEC 19770-1. This standard specifies the requirements for a SAM management system. It defines a set of processes that an organization should have in place to effectively manage its software assets. It is structured in a way that allows an organization's SAM program to be formally audited and certified, similar to other management standards like ISO 9001 for quality management.

The standard is organized into tiers, allowing for a phased implementation. An organization can start by implementing the basic requirements for Tier 1 and then gradually work its way up to the more advanced requirements of the higher tiers. This provides a clear and achievable roadmap for continuous improvement.

While the 70-713 Exam does not require you to be an expert on the entire ISO standard, it does expect you to be aware of its existence and its purpose as the leading international standard for SAM best practices. Aligning your SAM program with this standard is a key goal for any mature organization.

Reporting the Initial SAM Assessment Findings

The final step of the assessment phase is to consolidate all your findings into a clear and concise report for management. The creation of this SAM Assessment Report is a key deliverable and a topic you should be familiar with for the 70-713 Exam. This report is the primary tool for communicating the current state of SAM in the organization and for making the case for a formal SAM program.

The report should begin with an executive summary that highlights the key findings and recommendations. This should include a clear statement of the identified risks, such as the estimated financial exposure from any compliance gaps that were discovered. It should also highlight the potential opportunities, such as the estimated cost savings that could be achieved by harvesting unused software.

The body of the report should provide the detailed results of your assessment. This includes the current SAM maturity level, the results of the baseline reconciliation (the initial Effective License Position), and the analysis of the gaps in your data collection processes. The findings should be presented with clear data and charts to make them easy to understand.

Finally, the report should conclude with a set of clear, actionable recommendations. This should include a high-level roadmap for implementing a formal SAM program, an estimate of the resources required, and a projection of the expected return on investment. This report is the foundation upon which the entire SAM project will be built. In the next part of this series, we will discuss how to take these findings and design that formal SAM program.

The Importance of Executive Sponsorship for SAM

Once the initial SAM assessment is complete and the business case has been made, the next critical step is to secure executive sponsorship. This is a major focus of the "Design and Manage a SAM Program" domain of the 70-713 Exam. A Software Asset Management program is not just an IT project; it is a cross-functional business initiative that requires changes to processes in IT, procurement, finance, and legal. Without strong, visible support from senior management, such a program is unlikely to succeed.

Executive sponsors act as the champions for the SAM program. They help to secure the necessary budget and resources. More importantly, they provide the authority needed to enforce the new policies and procedures across different departmental silos. When there is resistance to change, the executive sponsor can step in to reinforce the importance of the program and ensure that all departments are cooperating.

To gain this sponsorship, the SAM manager must be able to clearly articulate the value of the program in business terms. This means focusing on the outcomes that executives care about: cost reduction, risk mitigation, and improved operational efficiency. The assessment report, with its clear data on potential savings and compliance risks, is the primary tool for this conversation.

The C_BOE_30 certification will expect you to understand that SAM is as much about people and politics as it is about technology. Securing the backing of a senior leader, such as the CIO, CFO, or even the CEO, is the single most important factor in the long-term success of any SAM program.

Defining the Scope and Objectives of Your SAM Program

With executive sponsorship secured, the next step is to formally define the scope and objectives of the SAM program. This is a critical planning activity covered by the 70-713 Exam. A clearly defined scope prevents "scope creep" and ensures that the program remains focused and achievable. The scope should specify which parts of the organization, which geographic locations, and which software vendors will be included in the initial phase of the program.

It is often a best practice to start with a limited scope and then expand over time. For example, you might decide to focus the initial rollout on all desktop software from a single, high-risk vendor like Microsoft or Adobe, and only for the North American division of the company. This allows the SAM team to learn and refine their processes in a controlled environment before tackling the entire enterprise.

Alongside the scope, you must define a set of clear, measurable, and achievable objectives. These objectives should be directly linked to the business drivers that were identified in the assessment phase. Examples of good objectives include: "Achieve 95% license compliance for all Microsoft desktop products within 12 months," or "Reduce annual software spending on Adobe products by 10% through license harvesting in the first year."

These specific objectives provide a clear definition of success for the program. They allow the SAM team to focus its efforts and provide a basis for measuring and reporting on the program's progress to the executive sponsors and other stakeholders. The C_BOE_30 certification emphasizes this structured, project-based approach.

Designing the SAM Program: Key Components

Designing the SAM program involves creating a detailed blueprint for how the people, processes, and technology will work together to achieve the program's objectives. The 70-713 Exam requires you to understand the key components of this design. The design should be comprehensive, covering every aspect of the SAM lifecycle, from software requests to retirement.

The technology component of the design involves selecting and implementing the right SAM tool. This tool will be the central repository for all your inventory and entitlement data and will be used to automate many of the data collection and reconciliation tasks. The choice of tool should be based on a thorough evaluation of the organization's specific requirements.

The process component involves designing and documenting the new, standardized procedures for managing software. This includes creating a formal process for requesting new software, a process for approving purchases, a process for deploying the software and tracking the installation, and a process for reclaiming licenses when an employee leaves the company. These processes need to be integrated with existing IT Service Management (ITSM) workflows wherever possible.

The people component involves defining the roles and responsibilities of everyone involved in the SAM program. This includes the core SAM team, as well as the roles that people in other departments, like IT support and procurement, will play in the new processes. A well-designed program ensures that everyone understands their role in making the program a success.

Creating a SAM Project and Implementation Plan

Once the overall design is complete, it must be translated into a formal project and implementation plan. The ability to create such a plan is a key skill for a SAM manager and is conceptually tested on the 70-713 Exam. This plan breaks down the implementation of the SAM program into a series of manageable phases, tasks, and milestones. It is the roadmap that will guide the SAM team through the rollout of the program.

The project plan should include a detailed timeline, with specific start and end dates for each major activity. It should also include a resource plan, identifying the people who will be working on the project and the amount of time they will need to dedicate. A budget for the implementation, including the cost of the SAM tool, any necessary training, and any external consulting services, should also be part of the plan.

The implementation is often broken down into phases. A typical phased approach might look like this: Phase 1: Implement the SAM tool and integrate it with the discovery data sources. Phase 2: Populate the tool with all the collected entitlement data. Phase 3: Roll out the new software request process for a pilot department. Phase 4: Expand the new processes to the entire organization.

This phased approach makes the project more manageable and allows the team to demonstrate early successes, which can help to maintain momentum and stakeholder support. The project plan should also include a risk management section, identifying potential challenges and defining mitigation strategies.

Defining Roles and Responsibilities in a SAM Team

A successful SAM program requires a clear definition of roles and responsibilities. The 70-713 Exam expects you to understand the typical roles involved in a SAM initiative. While the specific titles may vary, the functions are generally consistent. A central role is the SAM Program Manager, who has overall responsibility for the success of the program, manages the project plan, and reports to the executive sponsors.

The core of the team often consists of one or more SAM Analysts or Licensing Specialists. These are the individuals who are responsible for the day-to-day operational tasks of the program. They manage the SAM tool, reconcile the inventory and entitlement data, manage the license pool, and generate the SAM reports. They need to have a deep knowledge of software licensing rules.

The program also relies on the cooperation of people in other departments. A key role is the Procurement Manager or Buyer in the purchasing department, who is responsible for executing the software purchases according to the new, standardized process. The IT Desktop Support and Server Administration teams are also critical, as they are responsible for deploying and uninstalling software and for ensuring the discovery agents are functioning correctly.

Finally, you need to define roles for handling compliance issues. This might involve an Internal Auditor or a representative from the Legal department who can provide guidance on license agreement interpretation and risk management. Clearly documenting these roles and responsibilities in a RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) chart is a best practice.

Developing SAM Policies and Procedures

Policies and procedures are the backbone of a consistent and repeatable SAM program. The 70-713 Exam requires you to understand the importance of formalizing the rules for how software is managed. A SAM Policy is a high-level document, approved by management, that states the organization's official position on Software Asset Management. It should define the objectives of the program and the responsibilities of all employees in adhering to the policy.

Building on this high-level policy, you need to create a set of detailed procedures. A procedure is a step-by-step guide that describes how to perform a specific SAM-related task. These procedures should cover the entire software lifecycle. For example, you should have a documented procedure for "Requesting New Software," "Deploying Software," "Moving Software to a New Device," and "Retiring Software."

These procedures should be clear, concise, and easy to follow. They should specify who is responsible for each step and what tools should be used. For example, the software request procedure should state that all requests must be submitted through the corporate IT service catalog and should list the information that the user needs to provide.

By documenting and formalizing these processes, you ensure that everyone in the organization manages software in a consistent way. This reduces the risk of unauthorized software being installed, ensures that all new purchases are properly recorded, and makes the entire SAM program more efficient and auditable.

Implementing a Communication and Training Plan

The implementation of a new SAM program involves significant changes to the way people work. To ensure a smooth transition and to get buy-in from all employees, a comprehensive communication and training plan is essential. This is an important aspect of managing a SAM program that is covered by the 70-713 Exam. The communication plan should be designed to keep all stakeholders informed about the program, its objectives, and its progress.

The communication should be tailored to different audiences. For senior management, the communication might focus on high-level updates about cost savings and risk reduction. For the general employee population, the communication might focus on what is changing for them, such as how they will now request software, and the importance of adhering to the new policies.

Training is also a critical component. You need to provide targeted training for the different roles involved in the new SAM processes. The IT support team will need training on how to use the SAM tool to track deployments. The procurement team will need training on the new software purchasing procedure. End users may need a brief training session on how to use the new software request catalog.

A proactive communication and training plan helps to manage the organizational change associated with a new SAM program. It reduces resistance, ensures that everyone understands their role, and helps to build a culture of software accountability across the entire organization.

The Concept of Continuous Improvement in SAM

Software Asset Management is not a one-time project; it is an ongoing program of continuous improvement. The 70-713 Exam emphasizes this long-term perspective. Once the initial SAM program has been designed and implemented, the work is not over. The SAM team must continually monitor the program's performance, identify areas for improvement, and adapt to changes in the business and technology landscape.

This process of continuous improvement is often managed using a Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle. In the "Plan" phase, you set new objectives for improvement, such as reducing the time it takes to process a software request. In the "Do" phase, you implement a change to the process to try to achieve that objective.

In the "Check" phase, you monitor the key performance indicators (KPIs) of the program to see if your change had the desired effect. For example, did the average request processing time actually decrease? In the "Act" phase, you standardize the new, improved process if it was successful, or you go back to the planning phase to try a different approach if it was not.

This iterative cycle ensures that the SAM program is constantly evolving and becoming more mature and efficient over time. It also helps the program to adapt to new challenges, such as the introduction of new software vendors, changes in licensing models, or the adoption of new cloud technologies. A successful SAM program is one that is never static.

Managing the Software Acquisition and Procurement Process

The software asset lifecycle begins with acquisition. A core domain of the 70-713 Exam is managing this complete lifecycle, and the procurement process is the critical entry point. A mature Software Asset Management (SAM) program must have a standardized and controlled process for acquiring all new software and licenses. The goal is to ensure that every purchase is properly authorized, that the organization is buying the right type of license at the best possible price, and that the purchase is accurately recorded in the SAM system.

The process should begin with a formal software request. A user who needs new software should submit a request through a centralized system, such as an IT service catalog. This request should be routed for approval. The approval workflow should first check if there are any existing, unused licenses in the license pool that can be reallocated. This step, known as license harvesting, is a primary source of cost savings and is a key SAM practice.

If no existing licenses are available, the request is routed for financial approval. Once approved, the request goes to the procurement department. The procurement team should be trained to purchase software only from approved vendors and to ensure that they are buying under the correct corporate licensing agreement to get the best possible terms and pricing.

After the purchase is complete, the proof of entitlement, such as the license agreement and the invoice, must be sent to the SAM team. The SAM team will then record this new entitlement in the SAM tool, updating the organization's official license position. This controlled process prevents rogue software purchases and ensures that every new asset is tracked from day one.

Tracking Software Deployment and Metering Usage

Once a software license has been acquired, the next stage in the lifecycle is deployment. The 70-713 Exam expects you to understand the importance of tracking this process. When the IT department deploys a new piece of software to a user's device, this installation must be recorded and linked to the specific license that was consumed. This is essential for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date Effective License Position (ELP).

The deployment should be performed using a standardized software deployment tool, such as Microsoft SCCM. This ensures that the installation is done consistently and that an accurate record of the deployment is created. This deployment data should then be fed into the central SAM tool. The SAM tool will then show that a specific license from the available pool has now been assigned to a specific user or device.

Beyond just tracking the installation, a mature SAM program will also track the actual usage of the software. This is done through a process called software metering. The discovery agent on the user's device can monitor which applications are being run and for how long. This usage data is incredibly valuable for identifying underutilized software.

For example, the metering data might show that a user has a license for an expensive piece of software, like Adobe Photoshop, but has not actually opened the application in the last six months. This user is a prime candidate for license harvesting. The software can be uninstalled from their device, and the license can be returned to the pool to be reallocated to another user who has a genuine need for it.

The Role of a Definitive Software Library (DSL)

To ensure consistency and control over the software that is deployed in the environment, many organizations use the concept of a Definitive Software Library (DSL), or a definitive media library. This is a central, secure repository that stores the master copies of all the approved software installation media. Understanding the purpose of a DSL is a key concept for the 70-713 Exam.

The DSL acts as the single source of truth for all software installations. Instead of allowing IT staff to download installers from various websites or use their own personal copies, the official, approved versions of all software are stored in the DSL. When a new piece of software needs to be deployed, the installation files are taken from the DSL.

This has several important benefits. First, it improves security. By controlling the source of the installers, you can ensure that they are free from malware and have been properly tested. Second, it helps with standardization. It ensures that everyone in the organization is using the same version and edition of a particular piece of software, which simplifies support and patch management.

Third, it helps with license compliance. The DSL can be linked to the SAM tool. When an application is added to the DSL, you can associate it with the appropriate license agreements. This helps to ensure that you are only deploying software for which you have valid licenses. The DSL is a cornerstone of a well-controlled software deployment process.

Managing Software Updates and Maintenance

The software lifecycle does not end after deployment. Software must be regularly updated and patched to fix bugs, address security vulnerabilities, and provide new features. The management of these updates and the associated maintenance agreements is an important part of a SAM program and is conceptually covered by the 70-713 Exam.

The SAM program is responsible for tracking the maintenance and support agreements for all key software products. This includes knowing the start and end dates of these agreements and ensuring that they are renewed in a timely manner to avoid any lapse in support or access to updates. This information is typically stored in the SAM tool, which can be configured to send automated alerts as renewal dates approach.

The software inventory data provided by the SAM program is also critical for the patch management process. The security team relies on the accurate and complete inventory to identify all the devices that are running a vulnerable version of a piece of software so that they can be patched. A SAM program that has a clear picture of all deployed software is a key enabler for an effective cybersecurity program.

From a compliance perspective, it is important to understand the terms of your maintenance agreements. Some license agreements, particularly for server products, require you to have an active maintenance agreement to be fully compliant, even if you are not actively upgrading the software. The SAM team is responsible for understanding these terms and ensuring the organization remains compliant.

License Harvesting: Reclaiming Unused Software

License harvesting is the proactive process of identifying and reclaiming underutilized software licenses so they can be re-deployed to meet new demand. This is one of the most effective cost-saving activities in a SAM program and a key practice you should understand for the 70-713 Exam. The goal is to avoid the cost of purchasing new licenses when you already own licenses that are not being used.

The process relies heavily on the software metering data collected by the discovery agents. The SAM team will run reports to identify users who have a specific application installed but have not used it for a defined period, for example, 90 days. These users are then contacted to confirm if they still need the software.

If the user no longer needs the application, a formal change request is created to have the software uninstalled from their device. Once the uninstallation is complete and has been verified by the inventory tool, the license is marked as "available" in the central SAM tool's license pool. It is now ready to be assigned to the next person who requests it.

This process of harvesting and reallocating licenses can lead to significant cost avoidance. It institutionalizes the practice of recycling software assets, just as a company would recycle physical assets. A mature SAM program will have a well-defined and semi-automated process for regular license harvesting.

The Software Retirement and Disposal Process

The final stage of the software asset lifecycle is retirement and disposal. The 70-713 Exam covers this entire lifecycle, so you must understand the importance of this final phase. When a piece of software is no longer needed by the organization, or when a hardware asset that it is installed on is being decommissioned, a formal retirement process must be followed.

The process involves ensuring that the software is completely and securely uninstalled from all devices. This is important for both compliance and security. From a compliance perspective, you must uninstall the software to be able to reclaim the license and prove that you are no longer using it. From a security perspective, leaving old, unpatched software on a device, even if it is not being used, can create a potential vulnerability.

Once the software has been uninstalled, the inventory system must be updated to reflect this change. The SAM tool must also be updated to show that the license that was previously assigned to that device is now available in the license pool. This closes the loop on the asset's lifecycle.

For hardware disposal, the retirement process is even more critical. You must ensure that all licensed software is removed from the hardware before it is disposed of or sold. Failing to do so can be a violation of your license agreements. A formal, documented software retirement process is a key component of a mature SAM program.

Integrating the SAM Lifecycle with IT Service Management (ITSM)

To be truly effective, the SAM lifecycle processes should not operate in a silo. A key best practice, and a concept relevant to the 70-713 Exam, is to integrate the SAM program with the organization's existing IT Service Management (ITSM) framework, which is often based on a standard like ITIL. This integration ensures that SAM activities are embedded into the standard, day-to-day operations of the IT department.

For example, the software request process should be part of the standard Service Request Management process in the ITSM tool. The deployment of new software should be handled through the Change Management process to ensure it is done in a controlled way. The relationship between software and hardware assets should be tracked in the Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

When an employee leaves the organization, the standard HR offboarding process should automatically trigger a request to the SAM team to reclaim all the software licenses that were assigned to that user. This integration between the HR system, the ITSM system, and the SAM tool is crucial for an efficient and effective license harvesting process.

By integrating SAM with ITSM, you embed the SAM controls into the processes that the IT staff are already using every day. This makes the SAM program more sustainable and ensures that the data in your SAM system remains accurate and up-to-date. It transforms SAM from a separate, periodic activity into a continuous, operational discipline.

Understanding Software License Entitlement

At the heart of any Software Asset Management program is the concept of license entitlement. This is a critical domain for the 70-713 Exam. License entitlement refers to the rights that an organization has acquired to use a specific piece of software, as defined by the legal license agreement from the software vendor. Simply possessing the installation media or a license key does not necessarily mean you have the right to use the software. The proof of entitlement is the legal documentation that accompanies the purchase.

This documentation can take many forms. It could be a physical certificate of authenticity, a purchase order, an invoice from a reseller, or a comprehensive volume licensing agreement. A key role of the SAM team is to collect, validate, and manage all of this entitlement information. This data must be centralized in the SAM tool to create a single, trusted repository of what the organization legally owns.

Each entitlement record in the SAM tool should contain key information, such as the software product and version, the number of licenses purchased, the date of the purchase, and a link to the proof of purchase documentation. This entitlement data represents one side of the compliance equation: "what we have the right to use."

The other side of the equation is the software inventory data, which shows "what we are actually using." The process of comparing these two data sets is called reconciliation, and it is the core activity for determining an organization's license compliance status. The 70-713 Exam will test your understanding of this fundamental concept.

Navigating Different License Agreements

Software is not typically purchased as a single, one-off product. In a corporate environment, it is usually acquired through various types of license agreements, and the 70-713 Exam expects you to be familiar with the most common types. The type of agreement determines the terms and conditions under which you can use the software.

One of the most basic types is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) license. This is a license for software that comes pre-installed on a new piece of hardware, such as the Windows operating system on a new laptop. OEM licenses are typically tied to the specific hardware they came with and cannot be transferred to another device.

Another type is the retail license, also known as Full Packaged Product (FPP). This is the type of software you would buy in a box from a retail store. It comes with the installation media and a license key. The terms for retail licenses can vary, but they are generally for a single installation.

In a corporate setting, the most common type of agreement is a Volume Licensing agreement. Vendors like Microsoft offer programs such as the Enterprise Agreement (EA) or the Microsoft Products and Services Agreement (MPSA). These agreements allow organizations to purchase licenses in bulk at a discounted price and provide a centralized way to manage all their licenses from that vendor. Understanding the specific terms of these agreements is a key skill for a SAM professional.

Common Software Licensing Models Explained

The license agreement defines the overall terms, while the license model, or metric, defines how the usage of a specific product is counted. The 70-713 Exam requires a thorough understanding of the most common license models, as this is often the most complex part of SAM. A mistake in interpreting the license model can lead to a significant compliance issue.

One of the most common models is the "per-device" or "per-install" model. In this model, a license is required for every device on which the software is installed, regardless of how many people use that device. This is a common model for operating systems and for some desktop applications.

Another common model is the "per-user" model. Here, a license is assigned to a specific named user. That user can then typically install and use the software on multiple devices, such as their desktop, laptop, and mobile device. This model is becoming increasingly popular for cloud-based subscription services like Microsoft 365.

Other models include the "concurrent user" model, where the license count is based on the maximum number of people using the software at the same time, and the "processor" or "core" model, which is common for server software like databases. In this model, the number of licenses required depends on the number of physical processors or cores in the server that is running the software.

The Complexities of Server and Virtualization Licensing

Server software licensing is a particularly complex area and a key focus for the 70-713 Exam. The advent of server virtualization has added many new layers of complexity to these license models. When software is licensed on a per-processor or per-core basis, you need to understand how the vendor's rules apply in a virtualized environment.

For example, for Windows Server, Microsoft has two main editions: Standard and Datacenter. A license for the Standard edition allows you to run a certain number of virtual machines on a fully licensed physical host. However, a license for the Datacenter edition allows you to run an unlimited number of virtual machines on that host. For a highly virtualized environment, the Datacenter edition is often more cost-effective.

Database licensing from vendors like Microsoft (for SQL Server) and Oracle also has very specific and complex rules for virtualization. Some vendors require you to license all the physical cores in the entire server cluster if you are using features like vMotion, which can dynamically move a virtual machine from one host to another.

A SAM professional must have a deep understanding of these virtualization rights, which are often detailed in the product use rights (PUR) or product terms documents provided by the vendor. Misinterpreting these rules is one of the most common and costly mistakes that organizations make. The 70-713 Exam will test your ability to apply these complex licensing concepts.

Licensing in the Cloud: SaaS and IaaS Models

While the 70-713 Exam was created before the cloud became as dominant as it is today, the principles of SAM are still highly relevant, and it is important to understand how they apply in a cloud context. For Software as a Service (SaaS) applications, such as Microsoft 365 or Salesforce, the licensing model is typically a per-user subscription. The SAM challenge here is not about counting installations but about managing the user subscriptions effectively.

A key task is to ensure that you are not paying for subscriptions for employees who have left the company or for users who do not actually need the service. A mature SAM program will have a process for regularly reviewing the list of active subscriptions and de-provisioning the ones that are no longer needed. It also involves ensuring that users are assigned the correct subscription level based on their needs, as many SaaS products have multiple tiers with different features and costs.

For Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), where you are running your own virtual machines in a public cloud like Azure or AWS, the licensing is more complex. You can use licenses provided by the cloud vendor on a pay-as-you-go basis, or you can often bring your own licenses (BYOL). Programs like the Azure Hybrid Benefit allow you to use your existing on-premises Windows Server and SQL Server licenses in Azure, which can result in significant savings.

The SAM team is responsible for managing these cloud subscriptions and for ensuring that the organization is taking full advantage of any available cost-saving programs.

Managing License Keys and Activation Data

In addition to the legal entitlement documents, a SAM program is also responsible for managing the technical artifacts associated with licensing, such as license keys and activation data. This is an important operational aspect covered by the 70-713 Exam. A license key is a code that is used to "unlock" or activate a piece of software after it has been installed.

For retail or OEM software, you will typically have an individual key for each installation. For volume licensing programs, you may have a single key, such as a Volume License Key (VLK) or a Multiple Activation Key (MAK), that can be used for a certain number of installations. You may also use a Key Management Service (KMS), which is a server that you host on your own network to activate your Microsoft products internally.

The SAM tool should be used to securely store and manage these license keys. You need to track which keys have been assigned to which devices to ensure that a single key is not being used more times than it is allowed.

The activation data from systems like KMS or from the software vendors' own activation servers can also be a valuable source of information for the SAM program. It provides another data point that can be used to verify how many copies of a product are active in your environment.

Conclusion

The culmination of all the data collection and licensing analysis is the process of data reconciliation. This is the most critical activity in SAM and the ultimate goal of the processes tested on the 70-713 Exam. Reconciliation is the process of comparing your license entitlement data (what you own) with your software inventory data (what you have deployed) to determine your compliance status.

The output of this reconciliation is a report called the Effective License Position, or ELP. The ELP is a balance sheet for a specific software product. It shows the total number of licenses you are entitled to, the total number of installations you have consumed, and the resulting surplus or deficit. A surplus means you are over-licensed and are potentially wasting money. A deficit means you are under-licensed and are at risk of a compliance audit.

Creating an accurate ELP requires a great deal of detailed work. You need to have clean and reliable inventory and entitlement data. You also need to correctly apply the specific product use rights to the inventory data. For example, you need to account for any upgrade, downgrade, or second-use rights that may apply.

The ELP is the primary decision-making tool for the SAM program. It is used to identify compliance risks that need to be addressed immediately, to find license harvesting opportunities for cost savings, and to inform future purchasing decisions. A SAM program that can produce an accurate and timely ELP on a regular basis is considered a mature and effective program.

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