The implementation of processes and tools of Software Asset Management (SAM) has become an action agenda for Information Technology (IT) managers. Then this study aims to investigate the scenario for the implementation of SAM in large and midsize companies of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As methodology, a literature review was performed which founded the creation of an online questionnaire applied to 53 Chief Information Officers (CIOs). Based on the result of this research, it was possible to identify the knowledge of managers pertinent to the concept of SAM, and the fact that the majority of the investigated companies are in stages 1 and 2 of the development of the tiers of SAM proposed by the ISO / IEC 19770 standard. As contribution, it is expected to elucidate the recognition of SAM as a relevant factor to be used in the IT area, aiming at the search for solutions that increase productivity and optimize the costs and investments in companies.
