Method and program for automated management of software license usage by monitoring and disabling inactive software products
First Claim
1. Method of computer-enabled monitoring and controlling usage of software applications under bulk software licenses to organizations having a plurality of computers, servers or workstations in a networked configuration that are accessed and utilized by a plurality of users, comprising the steps of:
- a) monitoring usage of instances of selected applications on said computers, servers or workstations to identify levels of inactivity of said selected applications by said users based on metering the activity level including user input device activity with respect to the selected applications being monitored;
b) disabling inactive ones of said selected applications on individual ones of said computers, servers or work stations pursuant to pre-determined criteria by invalidating the requirement for having a license to the said instance of the software; and
c) said steps of monitoring and disabling are effected automatically through said network.
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Abstract
Method and automatic software application for monitoring and controlling usage of application-type and operating system software programs under bulk software licenses to organizations to cost-effectively utilize software license usage rights. The program automatically monitors and identifies fallow program usages based on criteria that are configurable selectable, disables the fallow program(s) to free-up one or more licenses, and then withdraws the license rights thereto and notifies the user of the disabled program of the action taken. The disabling of a program or application is on the basis of the least disruptive to the user, and the user may have the program re-enable the program. Enterprise-selected priorities can be assigned to related programs to permit completion of tasks in process, in preference to other users. The program may itself, or via a license manager redistribute, or make available freed-up license rights as needed in the organization.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. Method of computer-enabled monitoring and controlling usage of software applications under bulk software licenses to organizations having a plurality of computers, servers or workstations in a networked configuration that are accessed and utilized by a plurality of users, comprising the steps of:
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a) monitoring usage of instances of selected applications on said computers, servers or workstations to identify levels of inactivity of said selected applications by said users based on metering the activity level including user input device activity with respect to the selected applications being monitored;
b) disabling inactive ones of said selected applications on individual ones of said computers, servers or work stations pursuant to pre-determined criteria by invalidating the requirement for having a license to the said instance of the software; and
c) said steps of monitoring and disabling are effected automatically through said network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification