FrontRange License Manager automates many of the software management tasks that previously took many man hours to achieve and providing a wizard-like interface which ensures that staff maintain high levels of productivity.
The License Manager workflow is designed to minimize administrative overhead at each step
1. Import Software Audit
FrontRange License Manager can populate the software repository from a number of sources. The solution is optimized to work with the class-leading FrontRange Discovery audit and inventory solution, but data connectors are also offered for Microsoft SMS 2003 and SCCM 2007 (as well as the legacy Enteo inventory solution).
License Manager automatically imports discovered software data without the need for additional data filtering and cleansing tools.
2. License “Proof of Entitlement” capture
To facilitate fast and accurate license entitlement capture, FrontRange License Manager offers both a browser-based data entry wizard as well as bulk upload tools (optimized for uploading hundreds of records at once).
Authorized data entry users from across the organization can quickly add new software purchases to License Manager through a structured web interface. All important information, such as vendor, purchase order, license quantity, cost, and both vendor and reseller SKUs is captured. Proof of Entitlement documents can be attached to each record for future reference and audit purposes.
Licenses can be recorded against the organization, or for reporting and management purposes, they can be assigned to specific business units.
3. Match entitlement with known vendor software
A key differentiator for FrontRange License Manager is its ability to automatically match entries on entitlement records with known software titles. This is done through the unique online ‘Nexus’ database, which holds information on over 1.25 million software SKUs.
In the majority of cases, this will remove the need for the user to manually collate entitlement records with vendor software catalogs.
4. Report on license compliance status
Once Proof of Entitlement documents have been entered and the License Manager repository is populated with the latest discovered data, authorized managers can quickly reconcile entitlements against usage. License Manager will highlight over-licensing and under-licensing, as well as automatically calculating upgrade and downgrade rights.
FrontRange License Manager is unique in its design to automatically put the organization in the most favorable licensing position, using the available licenses in the most advantageous ways. This dynamic ‘best-fit’ reconciliation is only possible thanks to the in-built licensing intelligence in the solution.