The WiX development team removes the last excuse for windows software publishers to support standardized software identification (SWID) tags. This is a win for the consumer who will start to see better, more accurate and less-expensive technology for software logistics, security and compliance activities.

Hot off the press – the WiX installer team announced that WiX supports 19770-2 SWID tags. With this announcement, all three major Windows installation tools – Advanced Installer, Installshield and now WiX – provide native support for the creation and installation of SWID tags. (more…)

The software supply chain and management process is a complete mess and the situation will get worse with the addition of new computing platforms and alternative licensing requirements for virtual and cloud based environments. Unless there is a change in the status quo, everyone in the software ecosystem will end up spending more on management and less on development equating to higher overhead for everyone!

There is a better way and it starts with a very simple expectation that software should automatically and consistently provide authoritative identification information for every single title by every publisher across every platform in a consistent fashion. Does authoritative software identification solve the whole problem – no! However, it does fix numerous problems in the supply and management chain that cost excessive money, time and resources today and enables better solutions across the whole industry in the future. (more…)

To help companies meet today’s evolving industry standards; ModusLink supports ISO/IEC 19770-2 software identification tags (SWID tags) which provide identifying information for software. The standard simplifies and standardizes software identification processes. Using SWID tags allows software purchasers to reliably and accurately track its software within their organization.

Read the statement of support here.

The ISO/IEC JTC1 SC7 WG21 Working Group responsible for the 19770 group of SAM standards has recognized TagVault.org as a Platinum Contributor to the development of software asset management standards and the practical implementation of software tagging as defined in ISO/IEC 19770-2:2009.

For most people familiar with the Internet, the term FAQ stands for Frequently Asked Questions. Often these questions are fairly simple and easy to respond to (i.e. what’s the phone number, how do I sign up to be a member, how much does membership cost, etc.). These FAQ Check articles will respond to more complex questions that require more detail than a typical FAQ response requires.

Question: TagVault.org representatives are often asked – why do we need Software Identification Tags when all IT operations are going to be moving to the cloud? (more…)

Symantec has released a public statement regarding the company’s support for SWID tagging. It is clear to many in the software industry that an authoritative, definitive and cross-platform structure for software identification has been needed in the industry for some time. The ISO/IEC 19770-2:2009 standard provides the structure the software industry needs and TagVault.org is working with CA Technologies, ModusLink, Symantec and others to increase the speed and consistency of adoption while providing normalization and validity to certified SWID tags.

Certified SWID Tags integration with CPE names V2.0 The ITAM Review and TagVault.org, joint sponsors of the ‘Best Use of Tags 2010’ contest, are pleased to announce the contest’s winner. The contest was tightly contested with entries from four software vendors: Aspera, CA, Sassafras Software and Symantec.

The contest aimed to identify those SAM tool vendors who have recognized the necessity of using software identification (SWID) tags already deployed by Adobe Systems Inc. as well as tags that fully conform to the ISO/IEC 19770-2:2009 standard. (more…)