1E Launches SCCM Plugin to Target Software Waste
You might know 1E for their NightWatchman brand, famous for switching off PCs at night when they are not in use and saving energy.
1E boasts some 16 million licenses across 1400 customers and the company claims that over 90% of their customers use the Microsoft SCCM platform for systems management. So it’s a logical step for a company focused on eliminating IT waste to take a look at software usage.
AppClarity is an agentless solution that allows Software Asset Managers to automatically reclaim unused software via policy decisions
The company is taking a focused and pragmatic approach to helping companies save money on licensing. The steps are as follows:
- AppClarity identifies unused software via SCCM
- The value of unused software is quantified to support policy choices
- Unused software is automatically removed via policy decisions
- End users can participate or be educated as part of the process (see screenshot)
I think the most important step here is point 3. Software is automatically identified and removed by design.
For example as SAM manager you can set a policy to automatically remove any copies of Microsoft Project that are not being used. Not only will this be acted upon automatically within SCCM but it also includes all the communication necessary and a positive user experience with the end user. It won’t guarantee compliance or be a silver bullet to resolve your license management problems but it builds in efficiency in the front end.
AppClarity License Reclaimer
I look forward to reviewing AppClarity in more detail over the coming months. In particular – setting up software usage monitoring within SCCM is not exactly an out-of-the-box experience so I would be interested to see how they handle this without an agent.
More details here: http://www.1e.com/softwareproducts/appclarity/index.aspx
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About Martin Thompson
Martin is also the founder of ITAM Forum, a not-for-profit trade body for the ITAM industry created to raise the profile of the profession and bring an organisational certification to market. On a voluntary basis Martin is a contributor to ISO WG21 which develops the ITAM International Standard ISO/IEC 19770.
He is also the author of the book "Practical ITAM - The essential guide for IT Asset Managers", a book that describes how to get started and make a difference in the field of IT Asset Management. In addition, Martin developed the PITAM training course and certification.
Prior to founding the ITAM Review in 2008 Martin worked for Centennial Software (Ivanti), Silicon Graphics, CA Technologies and Computer 2000 (Tech Data).
When not working, Martin likes to Ski, Hike, Motorbike and spend time with his young family.
Connect with Martin on LinkedIn.
Hi,
Do you have any further information about the fact that it is ‘agentless’? Does it still require the
SCCM agent on PCs? Does it have any footprint?
It’s quite a bold claim!
Regards,
Terry.
Hi Terry,
I have forwarded on
your comment to 1E.
Martin
Hi, Terry…
AppClarity has no client agent of it’s own. It works in conjunction with SCCM
and the inventory data stored in the SCCM system. However, the requirements for gathering inventory from SCCM clients are still the
same. You can read more about it here:
http://www.1e.com/softwareproducts/appclarity/index.aspx
Can the tool also get information from an ZenWorks and Altiris database?
Hello Marco. I’m replying to your comment that is almost a year old now. AppClarity uses the information from the SCCM database. It validates the information before actually making a decision on the data. Most organisations I’ve seen have SCCM or are moving towards SCCM. I’m sure if there was enough demand from organisations that have ZenWorks or Altiris…