How Does It Work?

The module requires a very small application to be installed on each end user device, and transparently integrates with the information stored on the EnterpriseAM collection server. Using Eracent's flexible web-based reporting system, IT managers can access any cross section of the available data, examining all aspects of their deployed software and the extent to which it is used in the enterprise.

Each end-user machine running the Software Usage software sends usage data to the Eracent central server database. The software then executes on the end-user systems when the system is in use and automatically starts when the system is powered on. However, the software only needs to connect to the server periodically to upload the collected software usage data. When not communicating with the server, or when off-line, the system caches the software usage data locally in memory and to disk. When the end-user computer is operating, the software monitors and records the start and stop time of each application, calculating the total time each application was run by the user and the total time the application was in use for each hour the computer was running (along with appropriate usage detail information). The software records the data on a user-defined reporting interval, and reports total usage by application and total usage of each application per reporting hour. The Software Usage option can be configured by the administrator to track usage of all applications, all applications with exceptions, or only those applications specifically designated. CPU percentage use consumed by the software remains essentially 0% while it is active. Reports can be customized to match the client's organizational structure or unique reporting needs.

Administration

Eracent's Software Usage solution provides the ability to create both global and machine or group specific active metering rules. These rules allow organizations to specify which applications to monitor and to what level of detail.

Application Usage Summary

The Software Usage option provides usage summary analysis reports to list rolled up Enterprise or Group usage data with drill down capability. The report shows the number of applications installed, number used and not used. Drilling down into each column provides detailed usage results for further analysis.

Application Usage by User

The Software Usage option records usage for all users in the monitored environment. This includes multiple users on a single machine. Now managers can see who the primary users of machines are and what applications they need to be productive.

Usage by Machine

The Software Usage option provides reports detailing the usage of specific applications on specific machines or groups of machines. This includes both windowed applications and background services. This reduces the risk of taking licenses away from employees who really need them.

Usage by Application

The Software Usage option provides reports detailing usage by specific applications. This includes specific versions as well as suites.

Concurrent Usage

Many organizations have concurrency based licensing for certain applications. Eracent's Software Usage option provides real time concurrent usage reporting for any process running within their environment.

Ad-Hoc Queries

Eracent's Software Usage option provides comprehensive ad hoc querying capabilities to allow end-users to quickly share and save any reporting information they may need. These custom queries may be saved for future use.