If the Department of Veterans Affairs can achieve complete transparency, any agency particularly those juggling costly engineering tools can follow suit.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has accomplished what most agencies still deem out of reach complete, end-to-end visibility of its software license inventory.
After years of scrutiny from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the VA now has complete oversight of over 4,400 commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products and 224 SaaS offerings. This is a critical milestone for any federal entity aiming to modernize its IT infrastructure and reduce waste.
The message is clear: transparency at this scale is possible. For federal agencies managing expensive, specialized engineering software licenses, this success signals a shift—visibility is no longer a stretch goal. It’s an operational necessity.
The problem isn’t spending. It’s visibility.
Federal agencies spend an estimated $6 billion annually on software, yet many departments lack clear visibility into where those licenses reside, who is using them, and whether they are even needed.
Tracking engineering tools CAD, GIS, simulation, and more is tougher still. Floating licenses, scattered servers, and unreliable usage data all contribute. In 2023, the Department of Defense reportedly squandered $2.5 billion on software inefficiencies proof that tighter oversight can’t wait.
The result:
- Redundant purchases
- Underutilized seats
- License compliance risk
- Delays in accessing critical tools
Agencies don’t suffer from insufficient funds; they suffer from insufficient insight. A single, authoritative license repository is the non-negotiable first step toward optimization.
Inside the VA Model: Centralized, Accountable, and Data-Driven
The VA reached full visibility by standing up a single software-data repository. SaaS or on-prem, each license is monitored from purchase to retirement, an overhaul that demanded new processes, refreshed directives, and shared accountability.
The results:
- Complete license inventory, no gaps, no duplicates
- Elimination of shadow IT
- Lifecycle insights to guide renewals and reallocations
- Audit-ready alignment with federal mandates
With software spend approaching $1 billion a year, the VA now manages licenses as a strategic asset. Agencies running mission-critical engineering tools must adopt the same discipline.
Engineering Software: Federal IT’s Last Blind Spot
Standard ITAM tools track Office 365 or Zoom with ease, but engineering suites remain elusive. Floating licenses, dispersed users, and premium price tags obscure true demand.
Why it matters:
- No native telemetry in engineering suites
- Usage tough to forecast or normalize
- Purchasing occurs in silos, not centrally
- Teams duplicate tools without realizing the cost
Agencies deep in simulation, modeling, or geospatial work require tooling built for engineering software platforms that turn compliance data into actionable intelligence.
Visibility Enables Optimization
Once license inventories are crystal-clear, agencies can:
- Detect dormant engineering licenses.
- Reallocate or retire high-cost seats.
- Eliminate duplicate purchases.
- Accelerate digital-government initiatives.
- Shrink audit exposure.
The VA’s model proves you can jump from blind purchasing to strategic governance provided the right tools are in place. Today, license inventory management isn’t optional; it’s foundational.
Open iT: Deep Visibility for Engineering Suites
Open iT, a GSA-approved contract holder, specializes in managing the complex license structures unique to government engineering tools.
- Integrates with 30+ license managers (FlexNet, LM-X, Sentinel, and more)
- Delivers real-time and historical usage analytics
- Offers license-level and user-level insights
- Supports compliance, optimization, and audit readiness
- Provides managed services for federal IT
Open iT transforms software license inventory into a strategic asset—enabling agencies to track, optimize, and control usage across the most specialized and expensive applications.
From License Inventory to Intelligence
Visibility into your software license inventory is no longer aspirational—it’s a baseline expectation. For federal agencies managing complex engineering software portfolios, the cost of inaction shows up in overspending, delayed projects, and audit vulnerabilities.
From enterprise IT to niche engineering apps, Open iT eliminates guesswork and powers data-driven decisions throughout the software lifecycle.
The VA has shown what’s possible now it’s your move. Connect with Open iT today for complete visibility, measurable savings, and lasting value across your software estate.
Connect with Open iT today to learn how our solutions deliver complete visibility, measurable optimization, and lasting value across your entire software license inventory.
