New Delhi, India — September 28, 2015— BSA | The Software Alliance today announced that it has awarded its Software Asset Management (SAM) based, Verafirm certification to Harbinger Systems, a leading provider of software engineering services for product companies. As a Verafirm Certified organization, Harbinger can exponentially improve its business efficiencies and minimize risk, through the implementation of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) SAM processes. Verafirm Certified is an enterprise-level recognition that affirms that Harbinger Systems complies with its software license agreements and that its SAM processes are aligned to the ISO SAM standard. Software publishers provide a two-year audit forbearance to companies so that they can function seamlessly, without the fear of being audited regularly and mitigate any further risk arising from monetary penalties as a result of non-compliance.

“In today’s world, software is a strategic asset and it’s essential for organizations to have full visibility to ensure compliance, effective utilization of licenses as well as risk mitigation. KPMG had helped an organisation save INR 250 million (over USD 4.5 million) by discovery and re-deployment of unused software through the implementation of SAM. According to them a dollar spent on SAM returns 15 to 20 dollars. Software purchased but remaining unused tends to be about 38 percent, this can be avoided by deploying SAM protocols. Industry benchmarked software asset management practices are intrinsic to a well-run and process driven organization and we are pleased that organizations such as Harbinger are leading the charge in this area and realize what effective software asset management can do, said Yolynd Lobo, India Director, BSA |The Software Alliance. “We congratulate Harbinger Systems on achieving this certification and demonstrating their compliance standards and in the strategic, effective and ethical way in which they are using their software license agreements. We look forward to increasing SAM adoption in the country.”

Yolynd points out the main benefits of the certification; 80 percent of certified companies reduce their licensing costs by 35 percent. The payback period, in case of Virtusa (certified in 2014) was less than a year in terms of avoided spend on software because of better visibility into actual usage. And the certification further exempts the company from being audited during the two year forbearance period.

Abhay Patil, Senior Vice President, Talent and Operations, Harbinger Systems said, “We are delighted to be the fifth company in India to be awarded Verafirm Certification from BSA. Harbinger relies on software to communicate, make products, offer services and manage our day- to- day operations. Managing and tracking all of software assets can be immensely challenging coupled with increasing regulatory imperatives for us to demonstrate the effective use of legal software. The trust certification has helped us achieve manage our software better and optimize our framework for implementing SAM processes, improve cost optimization and corporate governance and at the same time, mitigate risks successfully.

In India, Verafirm Certified has been tested through pilot programs that were conducted with Symphony Services in 2011 and Delhi International Airports Limited (DIAL) in 2012. Globally,18 companies have been awarded the prestigious Verafirm Certified from BSA including KPIT, the first publicly listed company that received the certification in 2013 and Virtusa Corporation in 2014.

About BSA

BSA | The Software Alliance (www.bsa.org ) is the leading advocate for the global software industry before governments and in the international marketplace. Its members are among the world’s most innovative companies, creating software solutions that spark the economy and improve modern life. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and operations in more than 60 countries, BSA pioneers compliance programs that promote legal software use and advocates for public policies that foster technology innovation and drive growth in the digital economy.

About Harbinger Systems

Harbinger Systems is a global company providing software technology services for independent software vendors and enterprises, with a specialization in product engineering. Harbinger Systems builds software solutions leveraging social, mobile, analytics, and cloud (SMAC) technologies for domains such as human capital management (HCM), healthcare, e-learning, and publishing. Harbinger Systems also uses emerging technologies like big data, OpenStack, and internet of things (IoT) to build products for tech startups.

Media Contact

Anindita Murmu(t) +91 9871127555(e) BSA_IN@hypertext.co.in