4.1.2 Managing software
Asset Console can manage the software installed in devices and the licenses owned. This section explains the types of software that can be managed, and software-related information. Information about the software installed in the devices can be used in various jobs, such as checking the number of licenses being used, thoroughly implementing anti-virus measures, and preventing illegal use. You can also manage assignment destinations according to license categories. Therefore, consider the extent of the information to be managed and, based on this consideration, determine the information that is required.
The following figure shows the concept of utilizing the information about the software installed in devices in various jobs. In this example, software information is used to manage the usage of software.
- Organization of this subsection
(1) Software types
Software types can be classified into the following three categories: commercial, shareware, and freeware. You can delete unneeded types from the managed target, and add required types. For details about how to change the default types, see 16.8 Adding and changing types and statuses (Code).
(2) Information to be managed
Two types of software information can be managed. One type is the information related to purchased licenses. The other type is the information related to software that is installed on devices. By combining these two types of software information, you can compare the number of licensed users allowed with the actual number of users, or detect illegal installation. The following types of software-related information can be managed.
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License-related information
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Number of licensed users
You can use this information to manage the number of users licensed to use the software.
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License information
You can centrally manage detailed option information, including license categories (machine-specific or user-specific), downgrade, and upgrade assurance.
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License keys and assignment destinations
By comparing the license keys with license assignment destinations, you can determine which devices (or users) are using which licenses.
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Information related to the software installed in devices
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Number of licenses being used
You can use this information to manage the names and versions of software installed in devices, and file names.
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Patch information
You can acquire JP1/IT Desktop Management 2 - Manager system information and manage information about patches that have been installed in the devices. You can use this information to determine whether the latest patches have been applied.
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Virus definition information
You can acquire anti-virus product information for JP1/IT Desktop Management 2 - Manager and manage the virus definition files installed on the devices. You can use this information to determine whether the latest virus definition files have been installed.
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