Web-based system for managing software assets

• US 7,197,466 B1
• Filed: 11/02/2000
• Issued: 03/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GE Capital US Holdings, Inc. (General Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation (General Electric Company)
• Inventors: Peterson, Charlotte G., Kornish, Douglas R., Demko, Lisa, Reddy, Sada, Stanard, Christopher L., Pumphrey, Jeannie, Giancaspro, Kim, Hatti, Harsha
• Primary Examiner(s): Borissov; Igor N.
• Application Number:
  US09/705,110
• Time in Patent Office: 2,336 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1, 705/8, 705/26, 705/400, 705/59, 705/56, 705/80, 707/104.1, 717/170, 717/177, 717/174, 717/168, 713/155, 713/202, 713/201, 713/200
• US Class Current: 705/59
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/105 Arrangements for software license management or administration, e.g. for managing licenses at corporate level
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

The disclosed invention is a software license management system (SLMS) utilizing a web-based interactive database to automate a software management process (SWMP) for managing software assets, measuring compliance requirements, and tracking/reporting status as necessary to assure proficiency and adherence to implementation requirements of the software management process. The SWMP is a process consisting of five different phases. The five steps of the SWMP involve identification of various solution alternatives, acquisition, deployment, maintenance and software retirement. The SWMP establishes high-level software management process to avoid litigation and penalties, maximize software asset utilization through tighter inventory control, and capitalize on the software procurement process.

Claims

1. A method for managing software assets of a business entity using a web-based system including a server system coupled to a centralized database and at least one client system, the business entity having a software management process, said method comprising:

identifying at least one software asset satisfying a predetermined requirement of the business entity;

initiating and completing an acquisition process of the at least one software asset satisfying the predetermined business requirement;

deploying the acquired software asset including installing the acquired software asset on at least one of the server system and the at least one client system, the deployed software asset is accessed using the at least one client system;

storing in the centralized database information relating to the acquired software asset owned or licensed by the business entity including storing terms and conditions of a corresponding software license;

maintaining the acquired software asset licensed by the business entity including reviewing each the software license and installing updated software on at least one of the server system and the at least one client system when provided by the software license;

retiring the acquired software asset when the acquired software asset is no longer required by the business entity including de-installing the acquired software asset; and

auditing the acquired software asset owned or licensed by the business entity by;

transmitting data from the server to the at least one client system to display an assessment worksheet on the at least one client system;

displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

inputting to the server the response received from the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet; and

determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

calculating at the server a sigma value based at least in part on the response inputted by the user;

providing results to the user.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of identifying at least one software asset further comprises the steps of storing and updating information into the database relating to each identified software asset.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least as one of a last name of an employee, a first name of the employee, a middle initial of the employee, a status of the employee, a building and room code where the employee is located, a work phone number, a user identification, an e-mail address, a facsimile number, a manager'"'"'s name who has direct supervisory authority over the employee, a department name and code of the department, a payroll number, a social security number, and a pay cycle category such as weekly, biweekly and monthly.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least one of a software title, a software serial number, a software manufacturer, a brief description of the software, a date on which software was acquired, restrictions or limitations on software use, employees on whose desktop the software was installed, purchase order details relating to the software verifying the proof of purchase, comments on software functionality, and details useful to prove legal ownership and use of the software.

5. A method according to claim 3 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least one of a serial number for hardware, a name of an employee whom the specific hardware has been assigned to and the date on which assigned, details on the hardware such as a manufacturer'"'"'s name, an address, warranty information, hardware capabilities including specifications, month and a year of acquisition, hardware classification such as a desktop unit or a laptop unit, lease related information, if applicable, and details useful to prove legal ownership and use of the hardware.

6. A method according to claim 3 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least one of a department title, a manager'"'"'s name, a manager'"'"'s social security number, a manager'"'"'s mail stop code, a telephone number and an extension, a business unit contact person'"'"'s name, a telephone number, mail code, address, and facsimile number of the contact person.

7. A method according to claim 3 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least one of a vendor name, a vendor'"'"'s business address including a city, state and zip code, vendor status such as preferred or non preferred, quality rating of the vendor, customer service rating of the vendor, contact person'"'"'s name for the vendor, terms on which the vendor expects to get paid, and vendor relationship details regarding the vendor.

8. A method according to claim 3 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least one of general training materials available for each of the software purchased and licensed and instructions on how to obtain such training materials.

9. A method according to claim 3 wherein said steps of storing and updating information into the database further comprises the step of storing and updating at least one of self assessment responses against a set of specific questions, responses of independent audit against a set of specific questions, any self assessment comments, comments by an audit committee, business unit'"'"'s name, location, and a person completing self assessment, and compliance information relating to the software management process.

10. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of identifying at least one software asset further comprises the step of defining business requirements to be addressed by the software asset.

11. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of identifying at least one software asset further comprises the step of analyzing information technology requirements.

12. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of identifying at least one software asset further comprises the step of analyzing environmental standards.

13. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of identifying at least one software asset further comprises the step of reviewing and finalizing business solution requirements.

14. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of identifying at least one software asset further comprises the step of identifying software alternatives that meet business requirements.

15. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of initiating and completing acquisition process further comprises the steps of evaluating and checking for existing software contracts.

16. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of initiating and completing an acquisition process further comprises the steps of:

making a decision to at least one of use an existing software, buy a new software, and build a new software; and

implementing the decision to at least one of use an existing software, buy a new software, and build a new software.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein said step of implementing the decision further comprises the steps of:

reviewing results of the decision;

preparing and submitting at least one of a request for proposal and a request for information to prospective vendors and reviewing results; and

negotiating and selecting a vendor to acquire the software.

18. A method according to claim 16 wherein said step of implementing the decision further comprises the step of deciding at least one of copying an existing software and purchasing additional licenses for the existing software.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of reviewing results of the decision further comprises the step of at least one of approving the decision and rejecting the decision based on subjective and objective criteria.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of reviewing results of the decision further comprises the step of entering the decision into the database.

21. A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of reviewing results of the decision further comprises the step of ensuring compliance with equity investments guidelines, contract terms and conditions, and legal and financial requirements prior to acquisition of the software.

22. A method according to claim 17 wherein said step of negotiating and selecting a vendor to acquire the software further comprises the step of executing at least one of a purchase order and a contract to acquire the software.

23. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of deploying the acquired software further comprises the steps of:

tracking licenses; and

updating the database with the current information relating to licenses.

24. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining the acquired software asset further comprises the steps of:

reviewing maintenance terms of a software license; and

purchasing upgrades for the software license.

25. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining each the acquired software asset further comprises the step of maintaining software licensed by the business entity.

26. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining the acquired software asset further comprises the step of further deploying an upgraded version of the software.

27. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining the acquired software asset further comprises the step of updating software purchase related information into the database.

28. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining the acquired software asset further comprises the step of updating software license related information into the database.

29. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of maintaining the acquired software asset further comprises the step of renewing a maintenance contract for each software asset having such a maintenance contract.

30. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of retiring a software asset further comprises:

de-installing and destroying software in accordance with a license to use the software; and

updating the database with revised licensing information.

31. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of retiring a software asset further comprises:

de-installing and destroying software in accordance with a license to use the software; and

updating the database with purchasing information.

32. A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of auditing the acquired software asset further comprises the steps of evaluating and assessing exposure of a department within the business entity.

33. A method according to claim 1 wherein said steps of calculating a sigma value further comprises the steps of comparing sigma values computed for each department within the business entity.

34. A method according to claim 32 wherein said step of auditing the acquired software asset further comprises the steps of developing and implementing corrective actions to improve the performance of the business entity.

35. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method further comprising the step of entering information at least through one of a device connected to the client system.

36. A method according to claim 1 wherein said method further comprising the step of providing information in response to an inquiry.

37. A method according to claim 36 wherein said step of providing information in response to an inquiry further comprises the steps of:

downloading requested information from a server system; and

displaying requested information on a client system in response to the inquiry.

38. A method according to claim 36 wherein said step of providing information further comprises the step of printing requested information in a pre-determined format.

39. A method according to claim 36 wherein said step of providing information further comprises the step of accepting an inquiry from a user.

40. A method according to claim 39 wherein said step of accepting an inquiry further comprises the steps of:

displaying information on the client system; and

receiving an inquiry from the client system.

41. A method according to claim 40 wherein said step of receiving an inquiry from the client system further includes the steps of submitting a request through pull down menus.

42. The method according to claim 40 wherein said step of displaying information further includes displaying an HTML document downloaded by the server system.

43. The method according to claim 1 wherein the client system and the server system are connected via a network and wherein the network is one of a wide area network, a local area network, an intranet and the Internet.

44. A computer-implemented method for tracking software assets owned and licensed by a business entity using a computer coupled to a database, the business entity having a software management process, said method comprising:

accessing the database containing software assets information including data relating to each software asset owned or licensed by the business entity including terms and conditions of each corresponding software license;

searching the database regarding a specific inquiry received from a user;

retrieving information from the database;

causing the retrieved information to be displayed on the computer for tracking, monitoring and auditing purposes; and

auditing each software asset owned or licensed by the business entity by;

transmitting data for a selected software asset from the database to the computer to display an assessment worksheet on the computer;

displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

inputting to the computer the response received from the user to the at least one question displayed two questions presented in the assessment worksheet; and

determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

calculating at the computer a sigma value based at least in part on the response inputted by the user;

providing results to the user.

45. A method for tracking software assets owned and licensed by a business entity using a web-based server system coupled to a database and at least one client system, the business entity having a software management process, said method comprising:

displaying on the client system for a user a software management assessment check list that includes at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted;

inputting a response by the user to each question included within the software management assessment check list; and

determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

calculating a sigma value based at least in part on the responses inputted by the user and on guidelines pre-stored within the database, the calculations are performed using the server system;

providing results to the user.

46. A computer-implemented method for tracking software assets owned and licensed by a business entity and providing a software management sigma value based on pre-stored information, the business entity having a software management process, said method comprising:

storing in a database information relating to a software asset owned or licensed by the business entity including storing terms and conditions of a corresponding software license;

displaying on a computer system an assessment worksheet including questions relating to the software asset;

displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

inputting to the computer system the user'"'"'s response to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

analyzing user input against a pre-determined criteria; and

calculating a sigma value based at least in part on the responses inputted by the user and on guidelines pre-stored within the database;

providing results to the user.

47. A web-based system for managing software assets of a business entity, the business entity having a software management process, said system comprising:

a client system,

a centralized database for storing information, and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said web-based system further comprising;

means for identifying at least one software asset satisfying a predetermined requirement of the business entity;

means for initiating and completing an acquisition process of the at least one software asset satisfying the predetermined business requirement;

means for prompting a user to deploy the acquired software asset including installing the acquired software asset on at least one of the server system and the client system, the deployed software asset is accessed using the client system;

means for storing in the database information relating to the acquired software asset including storing terms and conditions of a corresponding software license;

means for maintaining the acquired software asset including prompting the user to review the software license and installing updated software on at least one of the server and the client system as provided by the software license;

means for prompting the user to retire a the acquired software asset when the acquired software asset is no longer required by the business entity including de-installing the acquired software asset; and

means for auditing the acquired software asset by;

transmitting data from the server to the client system to display an assessment worksheet on the at least one client system;

displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

inputting to the server the response received from the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet; and

determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

calculating at the server a sigma value based at least in part on the response inputted by the user.

48. A system according to claim 47 wherein said client system further comprising:

a displaying component; and

a sending component to send an inquiry to the server system so that the server system can process and download the requested information to the client system.

49. A system according to claim 48 wherein the sending component functions in response to a click of a mouse button.

50. A system according to claim 48 wherein the sending component functions in response to a voice command.

51. The client system of claim 48 wherein said server system is protected from access by unauthorized individuals.

52. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising:

a collection component for collecting information from users into the centralized database;

a tracking component for tracking information on an on-going basis;

a displaying component for displaying information;

a receiving component for receiving an inquiry from the client system; and

an accessing component to access the centralized database and causing the retrieved information to be displayed on the client system.

53. A system according to claim 52 wherein said server system further configured with a receiving component for receiving an inquiry to provide information from one of a plurality of users.

54. A system according to claim 52 wherein said server system further comprising a processing component for searching and processing received inquiries against the data storage device containing variety of information collected by the collection component.

55. A system according to claim 52 wherein said server system further comprising a retrieving component to retrieve information from the data storage device.

56. A system according to claim 52 wherein said server system further comprising an information fulfillment component that downloads the requested information after retrieving from the data storage device to the plurality of users in the order in which the requests were received by the receiving component.

57. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising a means for providing access only to authorized individuals.

58. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating information into the database.

59. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of a last name of an employee, a first name of the employee, a middle initial of the employee, a status of the employee, a building and room code where the employee is located, a work phone number, a user identification, an e-mail address, a facsimile number, a manager'"'"'s name who has direct supervisory authority over the employee, a department name and code of the department, a payroll number, a social security number, and a pay cycle category such as weekly, biweekly and monthly.

60. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of a software title, a software serial number, a software manufacturer, a brief description of the software, a date on which software was acquired, restrictions or limitations on software use, employees on whose desktop the software was installed, purchase order details relating to the software verifying the proof of purchase, any comments on software functionality, and other pertinent details useful to prove legal ownership and use of the software.

61. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of a serial number for hardware, a name of an employee whom the specific hardware has been assigned to and the date on which assigned, details on the hardware such as a manufacturer'"'"'s name, an address, warranty information, hardware capabilities including specifications, month and a year of acquisition, hardware classification such as a desktop unit or a laptop unit, any lease related information, if applicable, and other pertinent details useful to prove legal ownership and use of the hardware.

62. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of a software title, a software serial number, a software manufacturer, a brief description of the software, a date on which software was licensed, restrictions or limitations on software use, employees on whose desktop the software was installed, contract details relating to the software licensing verifying the license, any comments on software functionality, and other pertinent details useful to prove valid licensing and use of the software.

63. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of a department title, a manager'"'"'s name, a manager'"'"'s social security number, a manager'"'"'s mail stop code, a telephone number and an extension, a business unit contact person'"'"'s name, a telephone number, mail code, address, facsimile number and other relevant information of the contact person.

64. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of a vendor name, a vendor'"'"'s business address including a city, state and zip code, vendor status such as preferred or non preferred, quality rating of the vendor, customer service rating of the vendor, contact person'"'"'s name for the vendor, terms on which the vendor expects to get paid, and any other vendor relationship details regarding the vendor.

65. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of general training materials available for each of the software purchased and licensed and instructions on how to obtain such training materials.

66. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for storing and updating at least one of self assessment responses against a set of specific questions, responses of independent audit against a set of specific questions, any self assessment comments, comments by an audit committee, business unit'"'"'s name, location, and a person completing self assessment, and compliance information relating to the software management process.

67. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for defining business requirements to be addressed by the at least one software asset.

68. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for analyzing information technology requirements.

69. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for analyzing environmental standards.

70. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for reviewing and finalizing business solution requirements.

71. A system according to claim 58 wherein said server system further comprising a means for identifying software alternatives that meet business requirements.

72. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising a means for initiating and completing an acquisition process including prompting a user to decide to at least one of using an existing software, buying a new software, and building a new software to satisfy the business requirement.

73. A system according to claim 72 wherein said server system further comprising a means for evaluating and checking for existing software contracts.

74. A system according to claim 72 wherein said server system further comprising:

means for recommending whether to at least one of use an existing software, buy a new software, and build a new software; and

means for implementing implement the recommendation to at least one of use an existing software, buy a new software, and build a new software.

75. A system according to claim 72 wherein said server system further comprising:

means for reviewing results of the user'"'"'s decision;

means for preparing and submitting at least one of a request for proposal and a request for information to prospective vendors; and

means for selecting a vendor to acquire the software.

76. A system according to claim 75 wherein said server system further comprising a means for recommending at least one of copying an existing software and purchasing additional licenses for the existing software.

77. A system according to claim 75 wherein said server system further comprising a means for analyzing the user'"'"'s decision based on subjective and objective criteria.

78. A system according to claim 75 wherein said server system further comprising a means for rejecting the user'"'"'s decision based on subjective and objective criteria.

79. A system according to claim 75 wherein said server system further comprising a means for entering the decision into the database.

80. A system according to claim 75 wherein said server system further comprising a means for facilitating compliance with equity investment guidelines, contract terms and conditions and other legal and financial requirements prior to the acquisition of the software.

81. A system according to claim 75 wherein said server system further comprising a means for generating at least one of a purchase order and a contract to acquire the software.

82. A system according to claim 81 wherein said server system further comprising a means for tracking software licenses.

83. A system according to claim 81 wherein said server system further comprising a means for updating the database.

84. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system comprising a means for analyzing maintenance terms of a software contract for maintaining the software asset.

85. A system according to claim 84 wherein said server system further comprising a means for purchasing upgrades for the software contract.

86. A system according to claim 84 wherein said server system further comprising a means for maintaining software.

87. A system according to claim 84 wherein said server system further comprising a means for deploying an upgraded version of the software.

88. A system according to claim 84 wherein said server system further comprising a means for updating software purchase related information into the database.

89. A system according to claim 84 wherein said server system further comprising a means for updating software license related information into the database.

90. A system according to claim 84 wherein said server system further comprising a means for renewing a maintenance contract for a software asset.

91. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system comprising a means for prompting a user to retire a software asset including de-installing and destroying the software in accordance with a corresponding software license, and updating the database with revised licensing information.

92. A system according to claim 91 wherein said server system further comprising a means for updating the server system with the purchasing information.

93. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising a means for evaluating and assessing exposure of a department within the business entity.

94. A system according to claim 93 wherein said server system further comprising a means for computing a sigma value.

95. A system according to claim 93 wherein said server system further configured to compare comprising a means for comparing sigma values computed for each department within the business entity.

96. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising a means for providing auditing functions.

97. A system according to claim 96 wherein said server system further comprising a means for developing and implementing corrective actions to improve the performance of the department.

98. A system according to claim 96 wherein said server system further comprising a means for entering information at least through one of a device connected to the client system.

99. A system according to claim 47 wherein said server system further comprising a means for providing information in response to an inquiry.

100. A system according to claim 99 wherein said server system further comprising:

means for downloading requested information from a server system; and

means for displaying requested information on a client system in response to the inquiry.

101. A system according to claim 100 wherein said server system further comprising a means for displaying an HTML document downloaded by the server system.

102. A system according to claim 99 wherein said server system further comprising a means for printing requested information in a pre-determined format.

103. A system according to claim 99 wherein said server system further comprising a means for accepting an inquiry from a user.

104. A system according to claim 103 wherein said server system further comprising:

means for displaying information on to the client system; and

means for receiving an inquiry from the client system.

105. A system according to claim 104 wherein said server system further comprising a means for submitting a request through pull down menus.

106. A system according to claim 104 wherein said server system further comprising a means for displaying an HTML document downloaded by the server system.

107. A system according to claim 104 wherein said server system further comprising a means for displaying at least one alternative out of various alternatives available to the user.

108. A system according to claim 104 wherein said server system further comprising:

means for accessing the centralized database;

means for searching the database regarding the specific inquiry;

means for retrieving information from the database; and

means for causing the retrieved information to be displayed on the client system.

109. A system according to claim 104 wherein said server system further comprising submitting a request through pull down menus.

110. A software license management system to automate a software management process for managing software assets of a business entity, measuring compliance requirements, and tracking/reporting status as necessary to assure proficiency and adherence to implementation requirements of the software management process, said system comprising:

a client system,

a centralized database for storing information, and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said management system further comprising;

means for organizing and processing information using at least one of a software identification module, an acquisition module, a deployment module, a maintenance module and a software retirement module;

means for displaying an assessment worksheet on the client system;

means for displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

means for inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

means for computing a sigma value based on the user'"'"'s responses to the at least two questions to measure compliance with the software management process including compliance with software licenses associated with the software asset; and

means for providing feedback and suggestions based on the computed sigma value to help reduce the exposure to litigation and penalties, maximize software asset utilization through tighter inventory control, and capitalize on the software procurement process.

111. A system for tracking software assets owned and licensed by a business entity, the business entity having a software management process, said system comprising:

a client system;

a centralized database for storing information, and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said system further comprising;

means for accessing the centralized database containing software assets information including data relating to each software asset owned or licensed by the business entity including terms and conditions of each corresponding software license;

means for searching the database regarding a specific inquiry received from a user;

means for retrieving information from the database;

means for causing the retrieved information to be displayed for tracking, monitoring and auditing purposes; and

means for auditing each software asset owned or licensed by the business entity by;

transmitting data for a selected software asset from the server to the client system to display an assessment worksheet;

displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

inputting to the server the response received from the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet; and

determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

calculating at the server a sigma value based at least in part on the response inputted by the user.

112. A system for tracking software assets owned and licensed by a business entity, the business entity having a software management process, said system comprising:

a client system,

a centralized database for storing information, and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said system further comprising;

means for displaying on the client system for a user a software management assessment checklist;

means for displaying in the assessment checklist at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

means for inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment checklist; and

means for determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

computing a sigma value based on guidelines pre-stored within the database and the response inputted by the user.

113. A system for tracking software assets owned and licensed by a business entity, the business entity having a software management process, said system comprising:

a client system,

a centralized database for storing information, and

a server system configured to be coupled to said client system and said centralized database, said system further comprising;

means for storing in the database information relating to a software asset owned or licensed by the business entity including storing terms and conditions of a corresponding software license;

means for displaying on the client system an assessment worksheet;

means for displaying in the assessment worksheet at least two questions including whether complete software license documentation has been maintained at the user'"'"'s location, and whether a reconciliation of installed software and licenses has been conducted by the user;

means for inputting a response by the user to the at least two questions presented in the assessment worksheet;

means for determining compliance with the software management process including compliance with the terms and conditions of the software license corresponding to the acquired software asset by;

analyzing user input against a pre-determined criteria; and

calculating a sigma value based on the user input and the pre-determined criteria.