System and method for license reclamation
First Claim
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1. A method for managing an asset in a network, the method comprising:
- automatically querying a plurality of workstations connected to the network to determine a presence of the asset on each of the plurality of workstations, wherein the automatic querying comprises sending a poll message to each of the plurality of workstations and receiving a response message from each of the plurality of workstations in reply, wherein (a) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to download the asset and (b) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to install the asset;
categorizing the plurality of workstations into a first group, comprising a first workstation, and a second group, comprising a second workstation, based on the received response messages;
determining an asset activity metric of the first workstation, the asset activity metric comprising at least one of;
(a) a date of last use of the asset and (b) a frequency of use of the asset during a first predetermined time interval;
based on the determined asset activity metric of the first workstation, sending a first removal message to the first workstation;
waiting a second predetermined time interval, and after the second predetermined time interval has elapsed, sending a second removal message to the first workstation, the second removal message comprising an instruction to remove the asset;
receiving an asset removal confirmation from the first workstation; and
updating a first database based on receipt of the removal confirmation from the first workstation;
wherein (a) the asset is loaded on the first workstation both (i) directly before the first workstation receives the poll message and (ii) directly after the first workstation transmits the response message in reply to the poll message; and
(b) the asset is not loaded on the second workstation both (i) directly before the second workstation receives the poll message and (ii) directly after the second workstation transmits the response message in reply to the poll message.
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Abstract
The present disclosure describes systems and methods for managing and implementing an asset license reclamation program across a network. The status of an asset, such as computer software, is automatically determined and if the asset does not meet particular use criteria, the asset may be flagged for reclamation and/or redeployment, either within the same network segment or in a separate network segment.
17 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for managing an asset in a network, the method comprising:
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automatically querying a plurality of workstations connected to the network to determine a presence of the asset on each of the plurality of workstations, wherein the automatic querying comprises sending a poll message to each of the plurality of workstations and receiving a response message from each of the plurality of workstations in reply, wherein (a) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to download the asset and (b) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to install the asset; categorizing the plurality of workstations into a first group, comprising a first workstation, and a second group, comprising a second workstation, based on the received response messages; determining an asset activity metric of the first workstation, the asset activity metric comprising at least one of;
(a) a date of last use of the asset and (b) a frequency of use of the asset during a first predetermined time interval;based on the determined asset activity metric of the first workstation, sending a first removal message to the first workstation; waiting a second predetermined time interval, and after the second predetermined time interval has elapsed, sending a second removal message to the first workstation, the second removal message comprising an instruction to remove the asset; receiving an asset removal confirmation from the first workstation; and updating a first database based on receipt of the removal confirmation from the first workstation; wherein (a) the asset is loaded on the first workstation both (i) directly before the first workstation receives the poll message and (ii) directly after the first workstation transmits the response message in reply to the poll message; and (b) the asset is not loaded on the second workstation both (i) directly before the second workstation receives the poll message and (ii) directly after the second workstation transmits the response message in reply to the poll message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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3. A system for managing an asset in a network, the system comprising a plurality of workstations connected to the network and a processor configured to:
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automatically query the plurality of workstations to determine a presence of the asset on each of the plurality of workstations, wherein the automatic querying comprises sending a poll message to each of the plurality of workstations and receiving a response message from each of the plurality of workstations in reply, wherein (a) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to download the asset and (b) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to install the asset; categorize the plurality of workstations into a first group, comprising a first workstation, and a second group, comprising a second workstation, based on the received response messages; determine an asset activity metric of the first workstation, the asset activity metric comprising at least one of;
(a) a date of last use of the asset and (b) a frequency of use of the asset during a first predetermined time interval;send a first removal message to the first workstation based on the determined asset activity metric of the first workstation; wait a second predetermined time interval, and after the second predetermined time interval has elapsed, send a second removal message to the first workstation, the second removal message comprising an instruction to remove the asset; receive an asset removal confirmation from the first workstation; and update a first database based on receipt of the removal confirmation from the first workstation; receive an asset install request from a third workstation, of the plurality of workstations; verify availability of the asset via a second database based on receipt of the asset install request from the third workstation; authorize the third workstation to install the asset based on a positive verification. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for managing an asset in a network, the method comprising:
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automatically querying a plurality of workstations connected to the network to determine a presence of the asset on each of the plurality of workstations, wherein the automatic querying comprises sending a poll message to each of the plurality of workstations and receiving a response message from each of the plurality of workstations in reply, wherein (a) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to download the asset and (b) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to install the asset; categorizing the plurality of workstations into a first group, comprising a first workstation, and a second group, comprising a second workstation, based on the received response messages; determining an asset activity metric of the first workstation, the asset activity metric comprising at least one of;
(a) a date of last use of the asset and (b) a frequency of use of the asset during a first predetermined time interval;based on the determined asset activity metric of the first workstation, sending a first removal message to the first workstation; waiting a second predetermined time interval, and after the second predetermined time interval has elapsed, sending a second removal message to the first workstation, the second removal message comprising an instruction to remove the asset; receiving an asset removal confirmation from the first workstation; and updating a first database based on receipt of the removal confirmation from the first workstation; receiving an asset install request from a third workstation; verifying availability of the asset with a second database based on receipt of the asset install request from the third workstation; providing the asset to the third workstation for installation based on a positive verification; determining if the first workstation and the third workstation are in a same network segment; and updating a third database based on a determination that the first workstation and the third workstation are in different network segments.
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17. A method for managing an asset in a network, the method comprising:
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automatically querying a plurality of workstations connected to the network to determine presence of the asset on each of the plurality of workstations, wherein the automatic querying comprises sending a poll message to at least some of the plurality of workstations and receiving a response message from at least some of the polled workstations in reply, wherein (a) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to download the asset and (b) neither the automatic querying nor the poll message of the automatic querying comprises an instruction to install the asset; categorizing at least some of the plurality of workstations into a first group, comprising a first workstation, and a second group, comprising a second workstation, based on the received response messages; sending a removal message to the first workstation, the removal message comprising an instruction to remove the asset; receiving an asset removal confirmation from the first workstation; and updating a first database based on receipt of the asset removal confirmation from the first workstation; wherein (a) the asset is loaded on the first workstation both (i) directly before the first workstation receives the poll message and (ii) directly after the first workstation transmits the response message in reply to the poll message; and (b) the asset is not loaded on the second workstation both (i) directly before the second workstation receives the poll message and (ii) directly after the second workstation transmits the response message in reply to the poll message. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification