FinOps Foundation and ITAM Forum Form Strategic Partnership to Unite Cloud+ Cost Management and Software Compliance

June 2, 2025

New collaboration bridges FinOps and ITAM/SAM through community, education, and best practice working groups—responding to growing organizational convergence of the two practices

June 2, 2025 – San Francisco, CA and London, UK – The FinOps Foundation, a global non-profit trade association program of The Linux Foundation, and the ITAM Forum, a global non-profit membership association for IT Asset Management (ITAM), today announced a strategic partnership to support the accelerating convergence of FinOps and ITAM/SAM that has occurred in large organizations over the last 18 months. This collaboration reflects an accelerating trend in enterprises to merge or tightly align cost optimization and compliance disciplines as Cloud+ environments become the new norm—encompassing not just public cloud, but also SaaS, licensing, data centers, and other variable technology spend.

FinOps—a portmanteau of “Finance” and “DevOps”— is an operational framework and cultural practice which maximizes the business value of cloud and technology, enables timely data-driven decision making, and creates financial accountability through collaboration between engineering, finance, and business teams.

With the 2025 expansion of the FinOps Framework, the scope of FinOps has grown from public cloud cost management into what is now referred to as Cloud+ an umbrella term for managing spend across SaaS, software licenses, hybrid infrastructure, and more. ITAM and SAM, in contrast, have long focused on software inventory, license compliance, renewal governance, and software discoverability. These practices have historically operated in parallel, but increasingly they are converging into unified teams and workflows.

Key areas where FinOps and ITAM/SAM intersect include:

    1. SaaS Inventory and Rationalization – Combining FinOps usage and cost telemetry with ITAM discoverability and license controls to optimize SaaS and Software portfolios
    2. Cloud License Compliance and Optimization – Applying SAM principles to public cloud BYOL (bring your own license) models and usage-based billing scenarios
    3. Renewal Governance and Contract Negotiation – Using FinOps forecasting and product-level visibility to inform more strategic and cost-effective software renewals and commitments.

The 2025 State of FinOps report revealed that a growing number of organizations are merging FinOps and ITAM/SAM efforts under shared leadership or cross-functional programs. Supporting this trend, Gartner has projected that by 2026, the majority of enterprises with mature cloud strategies will unify their FinOps and ITAM capabilities to streamline tooling, avoid duplicate efforts, and drive better business outcomes. This partnership between the FinOps Foundation and the ITAM Forum directly responds to that shift.

As part of the collaboration, the two organizations will jointly deliver:

    • Virtual Summits on shared challenges and success stories
    • Two New Working Groups focused on organizational integration and best practices for FinOps and ITAM alignment
    • A Combined Event Strategy, including ITAM-focused tracks at FinOps X and sessions at FinOps X Days events globally like FinOps X Day Amsterdam in September, FinOps talks a ITAM Forum’s WISDOM Unplugged UK in November
    • A Dedicated Slack Collaboration Space within the FinOps Foundation community for ITAM/SAM practitioners and SMEs
    • A New Training Course : “FinOps for SaaS”, designed to equip practitioners with integrated SaaS and Software cost, renewal and compliance knowledge – Sign up for updates.

“We see tremendous value in partnering with the FinOps community. In particular, we have much to learn from how FinOps quantifies value, communicates it to the business, and positions itself as a cultural practice rather than just a function. In return, ITAM brings deep expertise, battle-tested experience, and a track record of managing SaaS and datacenter environments—capabilities that are increasingly relevant as FinOps expands its remit,” said Martin Thompson, Founder of the ITAM Forum, “This is a natural collaboration between two complementary disciplines, and we’re excited about the opportunity to work closely together.

“As FinOps evolves beyond public cloud into what we now call Cloud+—covering SaaS, licensing, data centers, and more—executives are increasingly turning to the practice for unified visibility and governance,” said J.R. Storment, Executive Director of the FinOps Foundation. “This partnership reflects the growing demand for a combined strategy that connects FinOps’ real-time cost insights with ITAM’s proven compliance and lifecycle management. Together, we’re helping organizations tackle both sides of the software equation: optimizing cost and ensuring accountability.

For more information, visit https://www.finops.org

About the FinOps Foundation

The FinOps Foundation is a non-profit trade association focused on advancing the people who manage the value of cloud. It is made up of tens of thousands of FinOps practitioners, service providers and cloud technology providers including those in 93 of the Fortune 100. Grounded in real-world stories, the FinOps Foundation delivers connections to peers, certification, and open source best practices through programs like FinOps Certified Practitioner, the annual FinOps X conference, a FinOps Certified Enterprise program, and FOCUS (FinOps Open Cost & Usage Specification).

Media Contact

pr@finops.org

Online Tools & Services Day

This event is designed specifically for ITAM professionals – we want to help you learn about the latest tools and solutions in a comfortable, non-salesy environment, and without leaving your desk. We can’t remove the need for an RFP or RFI, but we can (hopefully) take away some of the pain that comes with searching for a new tool or service.

So, register now, bring your questions, and get ready for some insightful and interactive demonstrations.

Why attend:
  • Learn from the experts: Hear from the ITAM Forum and leading ITAM tools and services providers about the latest trends, challenges, and best practices for ITAM in 2025.
  • Discover new solutions: See demos of ITAM solutions that can help you manage your IT assets, optimise your cloud costs, and leverage data for better decision making.
  • Get your questions answered: Participate in a live Q&A session with the speakers to get even more information.
  • Stay ahead of the curve: Gain insights on what’s important, what’s new, and what’s next for ITAM in 2025 and beyond.

Register Here

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum and its sponsors. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy .

Leveraging ITAM Skills to Accelerate FinOps Success

FinOps is a hot topic, and while it shares synergies with ITAM, there are distinct differences. This session explores how asset managers can leverage their existing skills to boost FinOps initiatives and identify areas where skill gaps exist. By understanding the overlaps and deltas between ITAM and FinOps, attendees will learn how to apply their expertise to cloud cost management while focusing on key areas needed to close the gap in effectively managing cloud resources.

Sponsors:

NOVENTIQ   ServiceNow_logo   USU, ITAM Forum PatronTMG Logo_Navy_Transparent

Register Here

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum and its sponsors. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy .

Identifying The Skills Needed To Effectively Manage All Technology

We often talk about the ITAM skills gap, but as an industry, we rarely define the core skills needed to succeed. This session will focus on the critical technical and soft skills all technology managers need, regardless of the type of technology they manage. By under-emphasising the importance of these skills, we’ve made it harder to close the gap. This webinar will break down the skills required to manage any asset lifecycle and discuss how technology managers can build a foundation that applies across all asset types.As the landscape of technology and business continues to evolve, the role of the IT Asset Manager is undergoing significant transformation. This panel discussion will delve into what the modern IT Asset Manager’s role entails and the essential skills needed to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Panelists will share insights on emerging trends, including the integration of FinOps, cloud management, and AI, and how these developments influence the skill sets required for success. Attendees will learn about the importance of adaptability, soft skills, and continuous learning in navigating future challenges.

Join us for an engaging conversation that will equip you with the knowledge to enhance your capabilities and prepare for the future of IT asset management.

Sponsors:

Cascade Asset Management   NOVENTIQSHI

 

Register Here

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum, Cascade Asset Management, Noventiq, and SHI. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy.

Online Tools & Services Day

Are you actively looking for a new ITAM tool? Are you curious to know what your team could achieve with a different tool? Are you fed up with some of the challenges you have with your current tool or service provider? If you answer “Yes!” to any of these questions, join us on the 8 May for our next Online Tools & Services Day.

This event is designed specifically for ITAM professionals – we want to help you learn about the latest tools and solutions in a comfortable, non-salesy environment, and without leaving your desk. We can’t remove the need for an RFP or RFI, but we can (hopefully) take away some of the pain that comes with searching for a new tool or service.

So, register now, bring your questions, and get ready for some insightful and interactive demonstrations.

Why attend:
  • Learn from the experts: Hear from the ITAM Forum and leading ITAM tools and services providers about the latest trends, challenges, and best practices for ITAM in 2025.
  • Discover new solutions: See demos of ITAM solutions that can help you manage your IT assets, optimise your cloud costs, and leverage data for better decision making.
  • Get your questions answered: Participate in a live Q&A session with the speakers to get even more information.
  • Stay ahead of the curve: Gain insights on what’s important, what’s new, and what’s next for ITAM in 2025 and beyond.
Sponsors:

Anglepointlansweeper_logoUSU, ITAM Forum Patron

Register Here

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum, Anglepoint, Lansweeper, and USU. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy.

ITAM’s Defining Moment: Owning the Cloud, Not Chasing It

AI, MSP & Multi-Cloud Complexity — lead the change 

Join us to explore how ITAM can help organisations take control of rising cloud costs in an increasingly complex digital landscape. With 84% of organisations struggling to manage cloud spend, the growing influence of AI workloads, managed service providers (MSPs), and evolving compliance requirements only adds to the challenge.

Our experts will unpack the key findings from the State of the Cloud 2025 report and examine what they mean for ITAM professionals.

Why attend?
  • ITAM’s Role in Cloud Governance – Why ITAM is needed now more than ever to untangle cloud licensing, entitlements & costs.
  • AI, MSP & Multi-Cloud Complexity – How ITAM provides unified visibility for compliance, cost optimization, and governance across diverse cloud environments.
  • Real-World ITAM Insights & FinOps Collaboration – Practical lessons from ITAM professionals on reducing cloud costs, managing entitlements, and working with FinOps.
  • Actionable Strategies – Quick wins and long-term steps to reduce spend, prevent SaaS sprawl, and future-proof ITAM in the cloud era.

This isn’t just about managing assets anymore—it’s about shaping IT strategy in a cloud-first world. Don’t let cloud complexity sideline ITAM.

What we’ll cover:
  • Key Cloud Cost Trends – Exclusive insights from the latest State of the Cloud report.
  • ITAM & FinOps in Action – A panel of experts sharing real-world challenges & strategies.
  • Live Q&A – Get answers to your biggest cloud cost & governance questions.
Sponsors:

Flexera Logo 2023

Register Here

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum and Flexera. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy.

Online Summit: Future Ready ITAM: The 2025 Skills Revolution

Join us to hear about the crucial skills needed for IT Asset Management (ITAM) to succeed in today’s rapidly-evolving technological landscape. As the role of IT Asset Managers expands to encompass new responsibilities and challenges, this summit will focus on the essential skills required to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

This event will also explore the intersection of ITAM with disciplines like FinOps and SaaS Management, emphasising how the right skill sets can drive successful collaboration with service providers.

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum and its sponsors. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy.

Why attend?
  • Gain insight into the critical competencies—both technical and soft skills—necessary for navigating the complexities of modern technology management
  • Hear about the skills needed to align ITAM practices with business-led technology buying and evolving operational models
  • Examine the skills needed to adapt new technologies such as AI and IoT within ITAM practices
  • Explore the importance of relationship management, change management, and communication skills in fostering collaboration and driving organisational success
Sponsors:

Azul logoUSU, ITAM Forum Patron

 

Register Here

This event is brought to you by The ITAM Forum and its sponsors. When you register for this event, your data will be supplied to all parties for the purposes of delivering the event and post- event follow up. More details about how we use your data can be found in our privacy policy .

6 Collaborative Use Cases for FinOps and ITAM Teams

November 20, 2023

Author: Hayley Salyar from Snow Software (an ITAM Forum Patron)

This blog first appeared here on the Snow Software website.

Managing costs and resources efficiently has become paramount for organisations seeking to maintain competitiveness. Financial Operations (FinOps) and IT Asset Management are two distinct but interconnected fields that play a vital role in optimising costs and resources. This blog discusses crucial use cases, demonstrating how FinOps and ITAM collaboration can lead to streamlined processes and enhanced cost management.

These use cases are from the framework the FinOps Foundation established on how ITAM intersects with FinOps capabilities.

Read more