Dell has announced it will acquire software asset management (SAM) specialist Asap Software in a $340m deal that will extend the computing giant's capabilities to include the management of software licensing, purchasing, renewals and compliance.

Asap Software has customers in the commercial and government sectors, while its subsidiary, License Technologies Group, specialises in licensing and e-commerce services for software publishers and their partners.

Dell said the deal will help it fulfil the goal of simplifying IT, removing cost and complexity for its customers.

SAM is becoming increasingly important for large firms as they struggle to manage the complexity of varying software licences, while organisations such as the Business Software Alliance and Fast, and vendors like Microsoft put pressure on firms to be compliant.

Alex Hilton of SAM specialist Centennial Software argued that the move will help raise businesses’ awareness of the value of software asset management.

"While Dell's decision to acquire Asap software was likely to be driven by a desire to consolidate the LAR market in North America, the associated move into the software asset management area is a good sign that this market is maturing, " Hilton added.