The management of IBM licenses poses challenges for companies - just like the regular threat of IBM audits. For this reason, N-ERGIE Aktiengesellschaft decided to participate in the IBM Authorized SAM Provider (IASP) program: With TIMETOACT as a cooperation partner, the Nuremberg-based energy supplier avoids the time-consuming license audits during the term of the contract. Within this framework, TIMETOACT guarantees N-ERGIE's compliance, checks to what extent existing licenses can be optimized, and secures the most favorable conditions from IBM.

Companies that rely on IBM's extensive software portfolio are confronted with an audit approximately every three to four years. Such an audit always involves a great deal of time and effort, as well as financial risks: For example, the company has to schedule personnel for the preparations at short notice, which is lacking in other areas. In addition, even the most conscientious license management often makes mistakes - because IBM's license metrics are complex and maintaining the IBM License Metric Tool (ILMT) is time-consuming.

N-ERGIE also uses numerous PVU/VPC and other license metrics and has already gained experience with IBM vendor audits. In order to avoid these in the future, the energy supplier decided to participate in the IBM Authorized SAM Provider (IASP) program together with TIMETOACT and a certified auditing company.

By participating in the IASP program, N-ERGIE declares its willingness to IBM to proactively ensure and prove its compliance - together with TIMETOACT as a partner. In return, the energy supplier benefits from the following advantages:

Not every company with an interest in IASP automatically becomes part of the program - approval by IBM is first required. As an IASP cooperation partner, TIMETOACT submitted the corresponding application together with the auditing company for N-ERGIE. In addition, TIMETOACT as IT service provider took over the support around the program: Starting with the support of N-ERGIE during the data collection, the verification of the data, the clarification of possible queries up to the review and evaluation of the reports. Thanks to an established standard process, the effort on the customer's side was minimized.

Even beyond the regular checks, TIMETOACT is available to the energy supplier at any time to answer questions and identify risk and optimization opportunities.

N-ERGIE has already been part of the IASP program since 2021. Looking back, the company is pleased with the decision to have participated: