Understanding Software Usage: Key Insights and Benefits

[Sean_Walker]

Understanding Software Usage: Key Insights and Benefits

Software usage refers to the tracking and analysis of how often and in what manner a software product is accessed and utilized within an organization. This data is crucial for optimizing software asset management and ensuring efficient use of resources.

For a deeper understanding of how to leverage Software Usage, be sure to watch the “Ask a Ranger: Software Asset Management” video series, Understanding Software Usage Data

What Does Software Usage Entail?

Software usage data provides detailed insights into:

• User Access: Identifies who is using a particular software product.
• Last Access Time: Shows when the software product was last used.
• Usage Count: Tracks how many times the software product has been accessed.
• Total Usage Time: Measures the cumulative time the software product has been used.

This data is recorded in the samp_sw_usage table within ServiceNow, offering a comprehensive view of software utilization across the organization.

Why is Software Usage Important?

Understanding software usage is essential for several reasons:

• Cost Management: Unused or underused software can represent a significant cost. By analyzing usage data, organizations can identify which software products are not being utilized to their full potential, potentially leading to cost savings.
• License Optimization: The License Harvesting process enables organizations to optimize their software spend by reusing licenses that have already been procured. This practice helps in reducing unnecessary purchases and making the most out of existing licenses.
• Reclamation Rules and Removal Candidates: ServiceNow uses software usage data to apply Reclamation Rules and identify Removal Candidates. These features help in reclaiming licenses from unused or redundant software, further optimizing license allocation and reducing overall expenditure.

Sources of Software Usage Data

Software usage data can be sourced from various channels, including:

• Service Graph Connectors (SGCs): These connectors integrate with various inventory tools to capture usage data. However, it is important to note that not all inventory tools are able to capture usage information.
• SaaS Integrations: Integrations with Software as a Service (SaaS) platforms provide data on how cloud-based software is being used.
• ServiceNow Agent Client Collector (ACC-V): This tool collects data from user endpoints to provide detailed usage statistics.
• Manual Imports: Usage data can also be manually imported into the system from other sources, ensuring a comprehensive view of software utilization.

Conclusion

Software usage data is a vital component of effective software asset management. By monitoring who is using which software, how often, and for how long, organizations can make informed decisions about license optimization, cost management, and resource allocation. Leveraging this data through tools like License Harvesting, Reclamation Rules, and Removal Candidates ensures that software assets are used efficiently, and costs are minimized. Understanding and utilizing software usage data helps organizations maintain a streamlined and cost-effective software environment.

To enhance your understanding of this topic, please refer to the video included below.

Understanding Software Usage Data