ISAM Services for Optimizing Mainframe Software
We Can Prove Your Software Asset Management is Best in Class – or We Can Lead You There
We truly create “win-win” situations for all our clients. If your company’s software asset management program is already “Best in Class,” we have the tools to prove your success with documentation that can be shared. However, if you’re not already there, we guide you to enhanced mainframe software optimization and significant savings.
You win either way.
All our services are carefully designed to make it easy for us to validate your success or guide you to the improved usage and pricing for your mainframe software. In most cases, we only require a few documents that you already have. And, we turn our findings around in a very reasonable timeframe.
Here is a quick overview of each of the services we currently offer our clients. You may, of course, navigate through to a more detailed description of each service listed.
SCORcardSM Assessment
Purpose:
We start each client relationship with the SCORcard to provide clients quick insight into their mainframe software costs and compare their successes with those in the industry that have implemented best practices. It’s a report card that ranks your company with those in a similar MIPS class.
Scope:
We perform a comparative analysis to identify client discrepancy from those companies that are “Best in Class” as it relates to product count, licensing or pricing.
Deliverable:
We provide a four-page overview of how well the client compares to same class companies. We also provide immediate cost saving recommendations.
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IBM® Pricing Audit
Purpose:
Upon review of your current pricing for IBM mainframe software, we identify specific mainframe software savings.
Scope:
We find and identify the lowest possible pricing metric available for each product and eliminate unnecessary charges.
Deliverable:
By using the latest IBM pricing metrics, our report makes specific recommendations for mainframe software savings.
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SAS™ Usage Analysis
Purpose:
After reviewing your current SAS pricing for mainframe software, we identify specific savings. Generally, this service produces the largest software savings.
Scope:
We find the lowest possible cost structure and eliminate unnecessary charges.
Deliverable:
We clearly identify immediate savings found in your current SAS usage.
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Software Benchmark
Purpose:
This service is similar to the SCORcard but is much more detailed with valuable recommendations for mainframe software savings. We carefully compare IBM mainframe software pricing and optimization and also ISV mainframe software.
Scope:
Comparing to those that are “Best in Class,” our analysis includes financial measurements, vendor count, product count and pricing.
Deliverable:
We provide a 40-page benchmark report outlining industry placement and mainframe software cost savings.
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SAM Guidance & Monitoring
Purpose:
Our SAM Guidance & Monitoring is a subscription-based service to provide your company ongoing software analysis throughout the year to improve overall usage and minimize software expenses.
Scope:
ISAM conducts an initial benchmark to serve as a starting point for all ongoing SAM guidance. This is especially helpful as you go through changes to your hardware or software environments.
Deliverable:
After the initial benchmark, we provide ongoing SAM consultation as frequently as you need. You’ll understand how changes to your environment affect the cost of your software.
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Data Center Optimization
Purpose:
Hardware decisions often drive software expenses. This service helps the client properly review hardware capacity issues, software licensing efficiencies and overall configuration issues. Analyzing current and future software needs prior to committing to hardware often results in significant savings and reverses the arrow on software expenses.
Scope:
We identify and analyze multiple configuration scenarios to best determine overall software placement and inventory before hardware decisions are made.
Deliverable:
We provide multiple configuration scenarios that identify savings when software is licensed to appropriate LPARs. Each configuration compares software and hardware expenses to actual and anticipated needs.
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Software Usage Analysis (PILS™ Assessment)
Purpose:
Also known as our PILS Assessment, we identify software savings when the portfolio is limited based in current usage.
Scope:
ISAM collects usage data and builds multiple financial scenarios, indicating software savings if the inventory were limited in size and placement.
Deliverable:
We provide a financial usage report that identifies savings when software is limited to appropriate high/medium/low usage LPARs.
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Software Vendor Negotiation
Purpose:
Whether for IBM mainframe software or ISV software, we provide the client with “Best in Class” pricing while obtaining contractual protection for future software needs.
Scope:
We work directly with the client to develop multiple pricing, “Business as Usual (BAU)” options. We negotiate with the vendor to lower costs and secure long-term protection.
Deliverable:
We conduct software vendor negotiations with accompanying BAU analysis and contract “T&C” strategy.
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Data Center Consolidation
Purpose:
We help to mitigate data center merger and acquisitions or those mainframe software costs associated with consolidation.
Scope:
ISAM develops a plan for managing the mainframe software costs and contractual compliance issues that often escalate during a data center merger, acquisition or consolidation.
Deliverable:
We develop a consolidation plan based on multiple scenarios and in consideration of any constraints within the mainframe software contracts.