KPIT awarded ‘Verafirm Certified’ by BSA for globally benchmarked software asset management practice

BSA | The Software Alliance (BSA) announced that KPIT, an IT consulting and product engineering company, has been awarded with an ISO 19770-1 Software Asset Management (SAM) standard-aligned ‘Verafirm Certified’. This is the second time KPIT has been recognized for the successful adoption of a model SAM practice that includes the creation and implementation of sound policies and processes to manage its entire software lifecycle. KPIT had become the first publicly-listed company in India to receive this certification in 2013.  

Through this certification, KPIT has demonstrated best-in-class practices in its comprehensive software inventory systems, deployment of dedicated teams to manage its SAM policies and practices, and the utilization of properly licensed software and related IT assets across its organization.  

Leading software publishers and CIO communities have universally agreed on how essential licensing compliance is, but at the same time, acknowledged the challenges that sometimes surface due to the complexities of licensing agreements. Tracking software deployment and usage can be a tedious affair that could lead to under-licensing, especially for large and expanding enterprises. A sub-par SAM practice would then expose these organizations to unnecessary threats, which would include legal, operational and security risks.  

Recognizing the need to provide an acceptable, standard framework for SAM, BSA had developed Verafirm Certified, which is an enterprise-level certification based on ISO 19770-1AM standard in collaboration with leading software houses and independent auditors.   

The Verafirm certification is a simple, convenient, and effective tool that promotes ethical standards of doing business by enabling certified organizations to stay compliant and work with ethical customers. Organizations with this certification can also be assured of a best-in-class SAM practice that provides internal control through which to mitigate potential business risks associated with the use of IT.    

“KPIT has demonstrated clear leadership when it comes to software asset management,” said Seemin Qadiri, BSA Senior Director, Global Business Development and Marketing.  “KPIT believes that SAM is essential for it to continue innovating and delivering best in IT consulting services and product engineering solutions, and operate as a world-class enterprise. The Verafirm certification is a global recognition of how KPIT has, not only optimized the management of its software assets to meet its operational needs, but its commitment to software license compliance. By being Verafirm Certified, KPIT also now enjoys a two-year audit forbearance from major software publishers. We congratulate KPIT on its second, successive achievement of the Verafirm Certified certification.”  

“KPIT is proud to be awarded the globally recognized Verafirm Certification for the second time for successfully upholding world-class software asset management (SAM) practices. Verafirm Certification,

through its comprehensive SAM program has enabled us not only adhere to the highest standards of ethical business but also increased operational efficiency. It has brought great value to our business and we are delighted to have incorporated SAM as a core part of our control framework”, said Mandar Marulkar, VP & CIO, KPIT Technologies Ltd.