---
title: Setting up Basic Software Asset Management
description: Set up Basic Software Asset Management before configuration.
locale: en-US
canonical_url: https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t\_SAMSetupSAMF.html
release: australia
product: Software Asset Management Foundation plugin
classification: software-asset-management-foundation-plugin
topic_type: task
last_updated: "2026-10-09"
reading_time_minutes: 2
breadcrumb: [Basic Software Asset Management, ITSM Software Asset Management, Asset Management common applications, IT Service Management]
---

# Setting up Basic Software Asset Management

Set up Basic Software Asset Management before configuration.

## Before you begin

Role required: sam\_admin

## About this task

Once you have [requested](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t_RequSoftwareAssetMgmtSAMF.md) Basic Software Asset Management and it has been activated from ServiceNow personnel, complete these steps to set up Basic Software Asset Management before you begin to use it.

## Procedure

1.  Determine whether you are currently running the ITSM Software Asset Management feature of Asset Management using the [Legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management/c_SoftwareAssetManagement.md).

    Check the list of plugins to see if the Software Asset Management \(com.snc.software\_asset\_management\) plugin is active.

    -   If so, complete the [Basic Software Asset Management migration](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/c_SAMMigrationSAMF.md) procedure.

        This step automatically converts and adds new tables, forms and lists, fields and values, and disables deprecated functionality. It also contains manual procedures for you to complete for successful migration.

    -   If not, proceed to the next step.
2.  Determine whether Discovery is activated \(see [Request Discovery](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/it-operations-management/t_ActivateTheDiscoveryPlugin.md)\).

    Check the list of plugins to see if the Discovery plugin is active.

    -   If so, run the [Migrate Basic Software Asset Management software installations](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t_MigrateSWInstallsSAMF.md) script.

        This step copies records from the \[cmdb\_ci\_spkg\] table to the \[cmdb\_sam\_sw\_install\] table, so that any previously discovered software installs are utilized by the Basic Software Asset Management.

    -   If not, activate and configure Discovery.

        For more information, see [Discovery](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/it-operations-management/r-discovery.md).

3.  Proceed to [Get started with Basic Software Asset Management](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t_SAMGetStartedSAMF.md) to begin using the Basic Software Asset Management in your environment.


-   **[Request Basic Software Asset Management](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t_RequSoftwareAssetMgmtSAMF.md)**  
The Software Asset Management Foundation \(com.snc.sams\) plugin must be activated by ServiceNow personnel. This plugin includes demo data.
-   **[Manage a SAM Foundation software suite](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/manage-samf-software-suite.md)**  
Create a suite and add the corresponding components to the suite so the rights that your organization owns are counted accurately during reconciliation.
-   **[Customize a Discovery pattern for Basic Software Asset Management](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t_CustomPatternSAMSAMF.md)**  
Basic Software Asset Management automatically leverages SQL Server, Exchange, and Oracle Database Discovery patterns, but you can perform steps for Basic Software Asset Management to utilize additional Discovery patterns, if needed.
-   **[Get started with Basic Software Asset Management](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/t_SAMGetStartedSAMF.md)**  
Get started with Basic Software Asset Management to optimize management of software installations in your environment.

**Parent Topic:**[Basic Software Asset Management](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ServiceNow/ServiceNowDocs/australia/markdown/australia/it-service-management/software-asset-management-foundation-plugin/c_SoftwareAssetMgmtSAMF.md)