About Software product usage tracking information
Article ID: 253786
Updated On:
Products
Issue/Introduction
The following are some questions from customers regarding Software Product Usage Tracking (more about it under Software Usage Tracking).
The customer is configuring Software Product Tracking (as described under Tracking usage of the managed software products) in his environment.
Question 1:
If number of days metered passed (i.e. 30 days) the computers that have not shared any data (no tracking data) will the system consider this is not used?
Question 2:
If we change the number of days from 60 to 30 will it automatically calculate the not used based on the first point?
Question 3:
If we then change it back to 60 days does the number of days calculation restart or continue from this initial configured date
Question 4:
What are the Software Usage Tacking statuses and what do they mean?
Environment
ITMS 8.x
Resolution
Answer 1:
If number of days metered passed (i.e. 30 days) the computers that have not shared any data (no tracking data) will the system consider this is not used?
If there is no data in the Symantec Management Platform (SMP) database (under dataclass "Inv_Product_Monthly_Summary") about product usage from computer (by any reason), software usage for this computer will be considered as "No Tracking data", when we do not have any data we cannot calculate anything, no matter how many days is set in setting "Count software as used if run in the last XX days"
Answer 2:
If we change the number of days from 60 to 30 will it automatically calculate the not used based on the first point?
"Software Usage" status is calculated based on "Last start" date reported for each software from each computer. So, when setting "Count software as used if run in the last XX days" is changed we calculate status based on last start date and number of days defined in setting at current moment.
Answer 3:
If we then change it back to 60 days does the number of days calculation restart or continue from this initial configured date?
Status will be calculated based on current values of "Last start" date and number of days.
Answer 4:
What are the Software Usage Tacking statuses and what do they mean?
Used – there is software application data detected and used within the time period set for Application Metering (90 days is the default value)
Unused - there is software application data detected but not used in the time period set for Application Metering (90 days is the default value)
No tracking data – there is no software application data detected so no calculations could be made
Unknown – this could be a result caused by several things, including a plug-in missing (AppMetering, Inventory, etc.) or maybe even the computer having a server OS installed
NOTE: Per the following documentation, "Software-based usage tracking and application metering are not supported on Windows and Mac servers."
About Software Usage Tracking, Application Metering, and Application Denial
Additional Information
Feedback
