SAM (Software Asset Management) involves tracking, evaluating, and managing software licenses and usage. It aims to reduce costs, enforce compliance, and improve productivity. Key aspects of SAM include conducting regular software inventories, reconciling licenses with usage, and establishing policies around software acquisition, deployment, and retirement. The document outlines CEU Library's SAM practices, including patching software, conducting audits, backing up data, and creating a software map. It also demonstrates Windows Server Update Services for patching and Follett reports for statistics.