The University Computing Centre (HRZ) has been commissioned by the Executive Board to introduce and operate a Software Asset Management System (SAM). As part of the SAM project, a tool and processes for managing software licences will be introduced for the entire TU Darmstadt. The SAM staff unit is organisationally anchored in the HRZ.

The Software Asset Management policy at TU Darmstadt was approved by the Executive Board in December 2024 and came into force on 1 April 2025.

What will change?

The guideline contains specifications for software asset management. Software is procured in accordance with these and other guidelines applicable at the TU. The central documentation of the inventories is carried out in the SAM tool (FNMS) by decentralised SAM officers.

Why is SAM being introduced?

The introduction of SAM makes it possible for TU Darmstadt as a whole to visualise and utilise the potential savings for various software products. In addition, we are meeting the demand of the State Court of Auditors for an inventory of licences.

When will the change take effect?

The guideline on the use of software asset management at TU Darmstadt came into force on 1 April 2025. From now on, the project team will approach the various departments directly. Information on the various phases of onboarding can be found on the project information page.

Who is affected?

The introduction and subsequent use of SAM, with explicitly named responsible persons, affects all areas of TU Darmstadt.

However, authorised persons are explicitly appointed to document the inventories in the system.

Implicitly, however, the change affects all employees insofar as, for example, software products installed on the computer are recorded by an agent.

What are the effects of the change?

By implementing the SAM, TU Darmstadt will be able to provide information and thus fulfil its legal obligations (achieving the goal of compliance/legal certainty). It also fulfils the goal of economic efficiency through corresponding cost savings.

Who needs to do what?

The HRZ will contact the department heads and authorised representatives in good time according to the respective onboarding time and coordinate the next steps.

Software users do not have to do anything initially. At a later stage, it will be necessary to install an agent/scanner on all devices on which software is used. This will require the support of local administrators and authorised representatives. We will provide further information on this in due course.