Browser Plug-in Software Asset Catalog Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software asset management methods lack an efficient way to monitor and update software usage across computing devices, particularly for web-based software, leading to outdated catalogs and difficulties in ensuring proper licensing and authorization.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a browser plug-in to monitor software usage by storing and comparing URL data and authorization data, ensuring that software catalogs are up-to-date and that users are authorized to access software entities, with data communication occurring under specific conditions to maintain accurate software asset management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional software asset management methods are used, then software catalogs become outdated quickly, but updating them manually is time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The browser plug-in automatically monitors software usage and self-updates the software catalog by comparing detected software entities against the stored catalog, eliminating the need for manual catalog updates and ensuring continuous accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops where the plug-in monitors software usage, compares it with the catalog, and triggers updates when discrepancies are detected, maintaining catalog reliability through automated feedback-driven updates
2Measurement precision
If manual monitoring of software usage is implemented, then licensing accuracy can be maintained, but the complexity of the monitoring system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The browser plug-in serves as an intermediary component that leverages the existing browser's monitoring capabilities to detect software usage, avoiding the need to build a complex standalone monitoring system while maintaining high detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The plug-in performs multiple functions including software entity detection, catalog comparison, and update triggering within a single component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precise monitoring capabilities
3Reliability
If frequent catalog updates are performed, then software asset accuracy is improved, but the use of system resources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs catalog updates periodically or event-driven based on actual software usage changes rather than continuously, maintaining catalog accuracy while minimizing unnecessary system resource consumption during idle periods
Data Source
AI summary
A software asset management method comprising storing URL data for each of a first plurality of software entities, obtaining, by means of a first browser plug-in, first data indicative of a URL from which a browser has obtained content, comparing, for at least one of the first plurality of software entities, the URL data of the respective software entity with the first data, and communicating the first data to a first computer other than a computer hosting the browser subject to a first condition that, for each of the first plurality of software entities, the comparing reveals that the first data does not match the URL data of the respective software entity.