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SAM ROI Calculator

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ROI as the Language of Management

IT projects need a strong business case.

To get an ITAM tool approved by the board, you need to speak the CFO’s language: return on investment. A robust ROI case transforms an IT initiative into a strategic business project. It clearly shows when the investment will pay for itself, which cost areas are addressed—and what risk the company faces if it fails to act.

Our ROI Calculator provides you with a well-founded initial estimate of your savings and efficiency potential in just a few steps.

Software costs are a blind spot for most companies

Today, the average medium-sized company manages between 80 and 200 SaaS applications—often without full visibility. The result: uncontrolled SaaS proliferation, duplicate purchases, unintended or forgotten renewals, over-licensed software, and, in the worst case, costly license compliance audits. IT Asset Management (ITAM) is the key to systematically making these blind spots visible and manageable.

Companies often waste an average of up to 18–30% of their annual software spending due to unused licenses, uncontrolled shadow IT, and a lack of renewal processes. With a software budget of $1 million, this amounts to up to $300,000 in avoidable costs per year.

Feel free to schedule a no-obligation consultation with our ITAM experts so we can take a look at your ROI results together.

The 5 Most Important Reasons to Use a SAM Tool

Audit Security

Software vendors such as Microsoft, Adobe, and SAP conduct regular license audits. With ITAM, you can ensure compliance at all times and avoid five- to six-figure back payments.

Renewal Check

No more automatic renewals of unused contracts. A complete overview of all renewal dates—on time, under control, and cost-conscious.

Cost Optimization

Identify zombie licenses, duplicate subscriptions, and over-provisioning. ITAM customers save an average of 15–30% on their annual software costs.

Increased Efficiency

Automate manual license-tracking processes, reduce IT workload, and significantly speed up onboarding and offboarding.

Transparency

Your source of truth for all software assets. Full visibility into usage, costs, and compliance—for IT and management.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the ROI of Software Asset Management?

The ROI of Software Asset Management (SAM) typically ranges from 200% to 600% in the first year. Companies typically achieve savings of 15–30% of their annual software spending by eliminating unused licenses, gaining a stronger negotiating position for renewals, and avoiding compliance penalties. With an annual software budget of $500,000, this corresponds to potential savings of $75,000 to $150,000 per year. Added to this are indirect savings resulting from reduced IT overhead and automated processes. (The license/vendor combination generally works.)

How does an ITAM or SaaS management tool pay for itself?

An ITAM or SaaS management tool typically pays for itself within 3 to 9 months. The time to value depends on the size of the company, the complexity of the software landscape, and the number of licenses managed. Companies with more than 200 employees and annual SaaS spending exceeding $200,000 often break even as early as the first quarter after go-live. The key factor is how quickly zombie licenses can be identified and renewal processes optimized.

What are the most common cost pitfalls associated with software licenses and SaaS?

The five most common cost traps are:

1) Zombie licenses—paid accounts for inactive employees (on average, 20–30% of all SaaS licenses).

2) Duplicate subscriptions—multiple teams subscribe to the same tool independently of one another.

3) Over-provisioning – licensing that’s too extensive, even though only basic features are used.

4) Lack of renewal control – automatic renewals without a usage review cost up to 40% more.

5) Shadow IT – tools procured without oversight outside the IT process create compliance risks and additional costs.

Who should use an ITAM tool?

ITAM tools deliver the greatest value for organizations with approximately 2,000 or more employees and an annual software budget of more than $750,000. Companies that rely heavily on SaaS solutions, have multiple locations or remote teams, operate in a hybrid IT environment (on-premises + cloud), or regularly undergo software audits by major vendors such as Microsoft, SAP, or Oracle benefit the most. Among medium-sized companies in the DACH region, the potential for savings is often particularly high, as structured license governance is even less common than in large corporations.

Why is demonstrating the ROI of ITAM projects so important internally?

In most companies, IT budgets face pressure to justify their existence. A robust ROI case helps IT leaders and CIOs convince management and the CFO to approve the investment—using concrete figures rather than abstract promises of efficiency. A good business case highlights: payback period, annual savings potential, compliance risk reduction, and productivity gains. Our calculator provides exactly this foundation for your internal decision-making process.

SAM ROI Calculator

ROI as the Language of Management

IT projects need a strong business case.

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1. Fill out the form

2. Initial Consultation

3. Your ROI Report

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Software costs are a blind spot for most companies

The 5 Most Important Reasons to Use a SAM Tool

Audit Security

Renewal Check

Cost Optimization

Increased Efficiency

Transparency

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Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the ROI of Software Asset Management?

How does an ITAM or SaaS management tool pay for itself?

What are the most common cost pitfalls associated with software licenses and SaaS?

Who should use an ITAM tool?

Why is demonstrating the ROI of ITAM projects so important internally?

Your journey to finding the right ITAM tool continues

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