Are you paying for software no one uses? A wake-up call for European businesses

In a recent development that's causing significant international attention, a newly formed United States government efficiency initiative has uncovered shocking examples of software license waste in American federal agencies. While this is happening in the US public sector, the findings reveal a universal problem that affects organizations of all sizes across Europe.

What was discovered?

The US Department of Government Efficiency (a new oversight body led by entrepreneur Elon Musk) recently conducted software audits across federal agencies with eye-opening results:

• One agency with 13,000 employees maintained 37,000 WinZip licenses (nearly 3 times their workforce)
• Another agency was paying over €1.8 million annually for unused ServiceNow licenses
• The same agency paid for 1,000 Slack licenses while only using 10

Elon Musk, who is leading this efficiency initiative in the US, noted this isn't isolated: "So many cases of software licenses and media subscriptions with zero usage!"

Why European businesses should take notice

While these examples come from large US government agencies, our experience with European businesses reveals the same patterns on a different scale:

• SMEs typically waste 20-30% of their software budget on unused or underutilized licenses
• Many European companies maintain multiple redundant systems for the same function
• Even modest-sized businesses can recover thousands of euros annually through proper license management

Unlike government agencies, European businesses face intense competitive pressure and regulatory requirements (like GDPR) that make efficient software management not just a cost issue, but a compliance necessity.

The real cost for European organizations

For a typical small European business with 100 employees, software waste might not reach millions, but it often represents:

• €15,000-30,000 in recoverable annual spending
• Significant administrative overhead managing unused accounts
• Increased security risks from unmaintained software accounts
• Compliance vulnerabilities with European data protection regulations

How our SAM/ITAM services help European businesses

As a European-based Software Asset Management provider, we help organizations of all sizes:

1. Conduct thorough license audits to identify unused software
2. Implement right-sizing strategies appropriate for your business scale
3. Establish ongoing monitoring to prevent future waste
4. Ensure compliance with European regulations while optimizing costs

Our approach is tailored to European business needs and regulatory requirements, with solutions scaled appropriately for organizations of all sizes.

Take action today and get in touch for a free consultation

Contact us today for a no-obligation discussion about your software environment. Our experts will help you understand potential savings opportunities and demonstrate how our solutions can work for your specific needs.

Source: Work | DOGE: Department of Government Efficiency