Implementing software asset management with Jira Service Management

Hey folks,

I’m looking to modernize our software asset management process using Jira Service Management. Right now, we’re stuck in the Stone Age with Excel spreadsheets. It’s a real pain!

Has anyone here successfully set up a system in Jira for managing software assets? I’m talking about tracking licenses, monitoring usage, and keeping tabs on installations. The whole nine yards.

I’d love to create a dedicated Jira project for this. My vision includes:

  • Setting up approval workflows for new software requests
  • Maintaining a whitelist of approved applications
  • Building a comprehensive software catalog

We’re planning to integrate HCL BigFix for data collection. Any advice on getting started or potential pitfalls to watch out for would be super helpful.

Thanks in advance for any tips or tricks you can share!

I’ve been down this road, and it’s definitely worth the effort. We transitioned from Excel to Jira for software asset management about a year ago, and it’s been a game-changer. Here’s what worked for us:

Create a dedicated project with custom issue types for software assets, licenses, and requests. Use custom fields to track key info like license counts, expiration dates, and compliance status. Automation rules are your friend - set up alerts for expiring licenses and over-usage.

For approval workflows, we used Jira’s built-in workflow designer. It took some tweaking, but now it’s smooth sailing. The software catalog was trickier. We ended up using Confluence and linking it to Jira issues for a more user-friendly interface.

One thing to watch out for: data migration. We spent weeks cleaning our Excel data before import. It was tedious but crucial for accuracy.

Integrating with BigFix should help with data collection, but plan for some manual reconciliation at first. Good luck with your project!

Having implemented software asset management in Jira, I can attest it’s a significant improvement over spreadsheets. Custom fields for licenses, versions, and costs are essential. Leverage Jira’s powerful workflow engine for approvals and status tracking. The software catalog can be challenging; consider using Insight for Jira if available, as it offers robust asset management capabilities.

Integration with BigFix will streamline data collection, but expect some initial discrepancies. Regular audits are crucial for maintaining accuracy. One often overlooked aspect is user training - ensure your team understands the new system to maximize adoption.

For the whitelist, we used a custom field with a predefined list of approved software. This approach simplified reporting and compliance checks. Remember, the system is only as good as the data you put in, so establish clear processes for keeping information up-to-date.

hi flyingleaf, tried asset mngmnt in jira. its better than excel. set up a custom issue type and fields for licenses and expiries. workflows can handle approvals well. make sure data is correct though- bad data ruins it. best wishes!