iaitam 2009 annual conference & exhibition bringing green together utilizing software metering...

IAITAM 2009 Annual Conference & Exhibition

Bringing Green Together

Utilizing Software Metering to Drive Down IT Costs

Kris Barker

Co-Founder & CEO,

Express Metrix



Agenda

• What is software usage data?• How is usage data collected?• What is the network impact?• The role of software recognition• Putting software usage to work



Software usage data

Definition: Various measurements of software application utilization, including frequency of use, as well as launch, termination, and idle time.



Data collection

• Software usage data is captured using a client installed on a workstation or server

• This is typically referred to as a “metering” client

• Various ITAM technology solutions offer a metering client



Data collection• Active metering

– Launch interception– File keying– Process list monitoring– Online vs. offline usage– Idle time monitoring – Application control (preventing launches)

• Passive metering– Above mechanisms are sometimes used, but all

data is cached – Registry is used more often to collect usage data



Network impact• Minimal data transmitted• Targeted metering

– Which applications? For how long?

– Configuration options: on and off per machine

– Do I meter across slow links?

• Caching– Cache data locally and transmit during off hours

– Allow scheduling of data transmission

• Test, test, test!



Role of software recognition

• Required to meter correct applications • Enable proper grouping of versions

License Management

Desktop Management



Role of software recognition

• Collect suite and component usage data



Putting Software Usage Data to Work



Reducing software costs

• Identify unused software– Re-allocate licenses– RE-NEGOTIATE CONTRACTS!– Reduce annual maintenance costs– Limit the number of supported application titles

and versions



Reducing software costs

• “Seventy-five percent of my computers had Microsoft Project installed, but only ten percent were being used.”

• “We reduced the number of supported software titles from 1,800 to 500.”

• “We’ve saved literally tens of thousands of dollars by discontinuing maintenance on unused software.”

• “We switched from buying Office Enterprise to Office Standard for 50% of our users.”



Managing license compliance

• Unique licensing challenges addressed by metering– Concurrent licensing models– SPLA agreements (based on monthly usage)– WTS/Citrix environments

• Concurrent licenses• Per-seat licenses

– Need control– Read the EULA!




WTS/Citrix

User: JohnMachine: Johnabc

User: SueMachine: Sueabc

User: FredMachine: Fredabc

User: IchiroMachine: Ichiroabc

Monday

MS Office

3 Licenses




WTS/Citrix

MS Office

3 Licenses

User: JohnMachine: Johnabc

User: SueMachine: Sueabc

User: FredMachine: Fredabc

User: IchiroMachine: Ichiroabc

Tuesday

Not compliant




• Unique licensing challenges addressed by metering– Software virtualization

• Software is not installed, but is licensed per seat• Must collect usage to reconcile!

– Hardware / OS virtualization• Applications metered similarly as a standard

workstation/server



Enhancing security policies

• Monitor and/or control “unfriendly” or unauthorized applications– Network games– Chat programs– Hacking tools– P2P programs

• Prevent access to sensitive computers• Prevent access to sensitive applications



Troubleshooting desktop performance issues

• Desktop– What is running?– When it is running?– Under whose account is it running?

• Network– What application is causing network spikes?



Summary

• Collecting software usage data enables you to:– Reduce software costs– Remain compliant within complex and ever-changing

IT environments– Help secure your network– Expand your arsenal of help desk tools– Improve all areas of IT asset management!



Questions?

Kris Barker

[email protected] www.ExpressMetrix.com



Thank you!

Kris Barker

[email protected] www.ExpressMetrix.com

iaitam 2009 annual conference & exhibition bringing green together utilizing software metering...

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