A Deep Dive Into: Licensing, Cost management, Vendor Management & FinOps
This conference is specifically designed for professionals responsible for the effective management and control of IT and Software Assets within their organisation. The conference offers valuable connections, insights and practical tools for everyone dealing with strategic and operational challenges in IT & Software Asset Management—including software licensing, vendor management, cost control, and FinOps. The conference will start at 09.30 and wrap up by 16.30.
Welcome and registration at 7A Odenplan
Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed with coffee and tea, setting the tone for a comfortable and enjoyable conference experience.
7A Odenplan is located in the heart of Stockholm’s new hub, in the best location in Vasastan. It’s easily accessible by city bus, the Green Line metro, or the commuter train, which stops at Odenplan station. Visitor parking is available in the same building. You can reach 7A Odenplan via Norrtullsgatan 6.
Opening by Chair & Link Up: The Connection Kickoff
The chair opens the conference with “The Connection Kickoff”. This interactive networking session will break the ice and is the starting point of meaningful connection.
The Connection Kickoff is the perfect opportunity to meet fellow security leaders, share your interests, and start expanding your network of peers who can inspire and support you during and beyond the conference. Let’s make the first connection count!
Walter Mauricci
License Manager of Folksam
How to achieve a successful SAM Programme and Framework
Walter Mauricci, License Manager of Folksam
The ambition of most companies is to have an effective SAM function operating on all levels, strategic – tactical – operational. The challenge is that the SAM function often tends to be stuck on an operational level.
In this session Folksam will present how the SAM function has managed establish a clear governance, operational work process and interaction within the company.
This gives the SAM Function both the acknowledgment and leverage to participate and contribute to decisions within the company.
Join Folksam in this session to learn about the Folksam SAM Programme and SAM Framework:
- SAM Governance and processes
- Tools and Data
- SAM operational process
- People and dependencies
Andrée Lundberg
FinOps Lead of H&M Group
Expand your SAM practice to include FinOps
Andrée Lundberg, FinOps Lead of H&M Group
Expand your SAM practice to include FinOps. In this session you’ll learn what changes between SAM and FinOps (goals, how often you act, the data you use), the tools to start with, and how SAM roles map to FinOps. We’ll share a simple crawl-walk-run plan, a lightweight organisation setup (small core team plus champions), must-have dashboards and reviews, the key metrics to track (like cost per transaction), and common pitfalls to avoid.
Topics covered in this session:
- FinOps vs. SAM – Strategic Framing
- Cadence and Data – Cloud FinOps vs. Traditional SAM
- Tooling Evolution – FinOps vs. SAM Approaches
- Culture Shift – From Compliance to Cloud Value
- FinOps Maturity – Crawl, Walk, Run
- Transitioning from SAM to FinOps – Roles and Skills
- Key Enablers – People, Process, Technology
- Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Morning Break at The Network Square With 1-To-1 Meetings
Enjoy fresh coffee, tea and snacks on the network square. And the first 1-to-1 meetings take place. Check your EventManager for your personal programme.
Break-out Programme
Annette Kristensen
Director Nordics of Azul Systems
AI and the Future of Java Licensing: Expanding the Role of ITAM and SAM
Annette Kristensen, Director Nordics of Azul Systems
Java licensing has become one of the most pressing challenges for ITAM and SAM. Evolving terms, complex licensing models, and the hidden sprawl of Java instances across hybrid estates make compliance a moving target. Add to this the rising risk of security vulnerabilities from outdated or unsupported versions, and ITAM/SAM teams are being asked to manage more than contracts — they are now on the front line of risk, security, and cost optimization.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) provides a way forward. By applying machine learning models to real-time asset and usage data, AI can detect underutilized or unauthorized Java deployments, predict future license demand, and highlight vulnerabilities long before they become audit findings or incidents. Supervised learning models can forecast licensing trends, unsupervised models can uncover shadow IT or anomalous usage, and reinforcement learning agents can recommend proactive remediation and migration paths.
In this session, we will cover:
- The evolving challenges of Java licensing compliance and why traditional approaches fall short.
- How AI-powered ITAM and SAM practices can reduce audit exposure, optimize license spend, and enhance security posture.
- Real-world approaches to gathering high-quality runtime and usage data to fuel better compliance and vulnerability management.
- The expanding role of ITAM/SAM teams: from managing entitlements to driving security resilience, risk mitigation, and business value.
You will walk away with practical insights into how AI can help you not only manage Java licensing compliance more effectively but also elevate your ITAM/SAM function into a strategic enabler of cost savings, security, and operational agility.
Lennart Martens
Head of Sales Europe of PREO Software AG
From Budget Pressure to Smart Licensing: PREO Software AG Supports a Swedish Healthcare Institution
Lennart Martens, Head of Sales Europe of PREO Software AG
Facing rising costs and increasing complexity, a leading Swedish healthcare institution partnered with PREO Software AG to optimize its software licensing and prepare for the cloud. In this session, discover how strategic license management unlocked significant legal savings while ensuring compliance and cloud readiness. Learn firsthand how smart approaches to IT and software asset management can relieve budget pressures, reduce risk, and enable innovation. Gain practical insights and real-world takeaways from this success story to apply within your own organization.
More sessions coming soon
Lunch Break at the Network Square with 1-to-1 Meetings
Brought to you by SoftwareOne.
Enjoy various richly filled sandwiches. During lunch there is enough time for 1-on-1 meetings and networking with colleagues, solution providers, peers and speakers. The lunch is brought to you by SoftwareOne.
Break-out Programme
Break-out session SoftwareOne
content to be announced
More sessions coming soon
FIKA at the network square with 1-to-1 meetings
Enjoy the afternoon break at the network square with 1-to-1 meetings, meet colleagues, solution providers, peers and speakers and share your gained knowledge.
Arnaud Wiehe
Author and Managing Director IT – AI, Cloud and Data Governance of FedEx
Cloud Computing and Emerging Technology
Arnaud Wiehe, Author and Managing Director IT – AI, Cloud and Data Governance of FedEx
Emerging technologies are reshaping our environments and lives. In this keynote, we’ll explore the rapid pace of technological advancement and its implications for the future. We’ll delve into the convergence of emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and IoT and the dependency on cloud ecosystems, highlighting their transformative potential. We’ll reflect on the critical role of innovation in driving progress and the importance of staying educated and adaptable in an ever-evolving technological environment.
Network drinks & appetizers
While enjoying a drink and snack, we close the day in an appropriate way. Discuss what you have learned with colleagues, peers and speakers.
Topics that will be covered
- The Impact of AI on Software Asset Management (SAM)
- The SAM Journey: Lessons Learned and Best Practices
- Practical Examples of SAM Tools and Real-World Implementations
- Strategies for Managing Rising IT, Software and SaaS Costs
- Pros and Cons of Third-Party Support Solutions
- Effective Vendor Management
- Navigating Software Licensing: Challenges and Opportunities
- FinOps: Bridging the Gap Between Finance and IT
Who will be speaking
VIEW OUR CONFIRMED experts
Curious as to who will speak and what experience they bring? Quickly view our complete experts overview!