Certified software manager (CSM) is a professional designation for IT asset management. The course was developed by the Software Publishers Association (now SIIA) in 1994 as a component of one of the first global anti-piracy efforts, led by Ken Wasch. In 2004, the administration of the CSM, and its successor class the Advanced Software Manager, moved to Washington, DC-based LicenseLogic. According to ITIL, a Software Manager is defined as a person who manages "…all the infrastructure and processes necessary for the effective management, control, and protection of the software assets…throughout all stages of their lifecycle."[1]
The course syllabus walks the attendee through from the beginning of "What is Software Asset Management (SAM)?" through to developing a basic asset management program for their organization.[2]
The CSM is the basis for various other ITAM courses.