
LicenseAnalyzer Reduces Software Expenses by 57% within the First 2 Years
“Open iT has helped us manage costs as we expand the business, supporting and supplying the needs of our highest producers. We could not have done this without…Open iT LicenseAnalyzer.”
Dan Shearer, Technology Enhancement Manager, Burlington Resources
Highlights
- One of the world’s leading producers of Oil & Gas wanted to monitor their license usage across four software application categories.
- LicenseAnalyzer granted them access to both real-time and historical data. This allowed them to create customized usage reports for each of the four software categories.
- Within 2 years, Burling Resources was able to modify their license agreements and reduce software expenses by 57%.
Business Overview
As one of the world’s leading producers of oil and gas, the company profiled in this case employs over 2,000 people worldwide, and relies heavily on geological and geophysical software to support its production activities. The incessant demand for expensive software made it necessary to analyze how to best invest on these applications. Open iT inventory and reporting tools were chosen to help streamline software spending, and to find ways to better support application users.
Business Challenge
With over 200 high-end users of crucial technical and business software in a variety of locations, the customer’s Technology Enhancement Manager and IT department faced a formidable task appropriating resources to meet user needs while keeping costs in check. Further, it became increasingly important for business managers to accurately prioritize IT resource spending to match defined user groups with a view to advance larger business goals.
The Managers had four software application categories that they wanted to monitor. The “core” software applications were used by everybody in all locations; and the “extended core,” were more function-specific, and used in fewer locations. For these, managers wanted to know how many applications were needed each year, and what flexibility could be built into vendor agreements to best support usage patterns. The “specialty,” applications were used by a small group for a short period each year, and if properly managed, could be leased on a monthly basis to get the highest value at the lowest cost. Lastly, the “data” applications provided critical data throughout the company. Without specific user information for each of these groups, accurate planning was very difficult. New purchases and upgrades were simply based on estimated headcounts of concurrent users at each location, and there was no way of knowing how frequently each application was utilized.
Whitepapers
Cost Allocation and IT Chargeback
The most efficient way to create more accountability and awareness of how IT resources are used is to implement a chargeback system.
Software Usage Monitoring and Optimization
Learn how usage monitoring in an E&P IT environment can be beneficial for many stakeholders.
Rising Use of Subscription and Pay-per-Use Software Licensing Models
Have a meaningful software usage metrics and tools to evaluate and plan appropriately prior to making new licensing decisions.
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