Virtual App License Compliance via Delivery Group Entity Counting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medium and large enterprises face challenges in accurately managing software licenses for virtual software applications, as traditional metrics based on usage data do not account for access by entities, leading to potential compliance issues.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves identifying virtual software applications, determining associated delivery groups, and calculating the potential-entity count of entities with access to these applications within a managed network to assess software license compliance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional usage data metrics are used to track software license compliance, then tracking simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision of actual compliance status deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that connects the active directory (containing entity access information) and the license management system. This intermediary translates delivery group membership data into compliance metrics, allowing accurate measurement of license compliance based on entity access rights without requiring direct modification of existing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the license compliance measurement into distinct components: identifying virtual software applications, determining associated delivery groups, counting entities in those delivery groups, and comparing against licensed entity counts. This segmentation allows the complex compliance measurement to be broken down into manageable steps that can be implemented systematically.
2Measurement precision
If entity access rights are tracked to determine license compliance, then compliance measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent leverages the existing active directory structure, which serves multiple functions including user authentication, device management, and application access control. By utilizing this existing multi-functional system for license compliance tracking, the patent avoids creating a separate complex tracking system while still achieving accurate compliance measurement.
3Measurement precision
If delivery groups and active directories are queried to determine entity access, then access tracking accuracy is improved, but information retrieval time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying virtual software applications and their associated delivery groups before compliance measurement is needed. This preparation work is done in advance so that when compliance checks are required, the system can quickly query entity counts without having to perform complex analysis in real-time.
Data Source
AI summary
An example embodiment may involve identifying a virtual software application that is accessible within a managed network. The example embodiment may further involve determining a delivery group associated with accessing the virtual software application within the managed network. The example embodiment may further involve, based on the delivery group, determining a potential-entity count of entities with access to the virtual software application within the managed network. The example embodiment may further involve calculating compliance of a software license associated with the virtual software application based on the potential-entity count.