In today’s digital-first economy, software is the backbone and becoming the more common most expensive element of enterprise operations. Yet, despite its strategic importance, software usage & cost waste remains a silent drain on budgets, productivity, and compliance. From unused licenses to shadow IT and redundant applications, the cost of inefficiency can be staggering. For Investor Relations (IR) professionals seeking to influence smarter technology investments, understanding how platforms like Certero can reduce software waste is a valuable step toward operational excellence.
The Hidden Cost of Software Waste
Software waste isn’t just about unused applications—it’s about misaligned investments, over-licensing, and underutilized tools. Gartner estimates that up to 30% of software spend is wasted due to poor visibility and governance. This waste manifests in several ways:
- Licenses purchased but never deployed
- Applications installed but rarely used
- Overlapping tools with similar functionality
- SaaS subscriptions forgotten or unmanaged
- Non-compliance penalties from vendor audits
For large enterprises, these inefficiencies can translate into millions in avoidable costs annually.
Enter Certero: A Unified Platform for IT Asset Intelligence
Certero is a leading provider of IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Software Asset Management (SAM) solutions. Its platform offers a single pane of glass to visualize, manage, and optimize software assets across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.
What sets Certero apart is its ability to unify data, automate discovery, and deliver actionable insights. This being capable without the complexity of traditional point solutions.
How Certero Reduces Software Waste
1. Complete Visibility Across the IT Estate
Certero’s agent and agentless discovery tools scan the entire infrastructure including servers, desktops, mobile devices, cloud platform. This allows Certero to build a real-time inventory of installed software. This visibility is essential for identifying:
- Redundant applications
- Unused licenses
- Unauthorized deployments
2. License Optimization & Reharvesting
Certero helps organizations understand their Effective License Position (ELP) which is a dynamic view of license entitlements vs. actual usage. This enables:
- Reharvesting unused licenses
- Rightsizing license tiers
- Avoiding unnecessary renewals
3. SaaS & Shadow IT Management
A Gartner Infographic illustrates that 25% of SaaS expenditure is underutilized or over deployed, reinforcing the idea that poor visibility and governance contribute significantly to software waste. With the rise of SaaS, many organizations struggle to track subscriptions and usage. Certero’s platform detects shadow IT apps purchased outside procurement and provides tools to:
- Consolidate SaaS spend
- Eliminate duplicate tools
- Improve governance
4. Audit Readiness & Compliance
Vendor audits can be disruptive and costly. Certero simplifies compliance by:
- Maintaining up-to-date license records
- Automating audit reports
- Supporting major vendors like Microsoft, Oracle, IBM, and SAP
- Verified 3rd Party tool vendor for Oracle Database, Middleware & Java
5. Financial Accountability & Forecasting
Certero integrates with procurement and finance systems to provide:
- Cost tracking by department or project
- Forecasting for renewals and upgrades
- Insights into ROI and value realization
Why This Matters to IR Professionals
For investor relations and business leaders, software waste isn’t just an IT issue. it’s a strategic risk. Unchecked software spend can:
- Inflate operating costs
- Undermine digital transformation ROI
- Trigger reputational damage from compliance failures
By partnering with Certero, enterprises gain the tools to optimize spend, reduce risk, and demonstrate fiscal responsibility key metrics that resonate with stakeholders and investors alike.
Recommendations for people influencing change within an organisation.
If you’re able to influence technology strategy, here’s how to get started:
- Champion visibility: Advocate for a unified view of software assets across the business.
- Push for governance: Encourage policies that align software usage with business needs.
- Support automation: Promote platforms like Certero that reduce manual effort and improve accuracy.
- Measure impact: Track cost savings, compliance improvements, and productivity gains.
Final Thoughts
Software waste is a solvable problem, but only with the right tools and mindset. Certero empowers enterprises to move from reactive license management to proactive optimization, unlocking hidden value and driving smarter decisions. For organisations, that’s not just good IT it’s good business.
Paul Johnson – Oracle Licensing Consultant
Paul Johnson is an experienced Oracle Licensing Consultant at Certero, specializing in helping enterprises navigate the complexities of Oracle licensing, compliance, and audit readiness. With over 20 years of experience in IT Asset Management (ITAM) and Software Asset Management (SAM), Paul works closely with organizations to identify software waste, optimize license usage, and reduce audit risk, particularly across Oracle’s intricate licensing models.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn for practical guidance on Oracle compliance and license optimization.
