Added to Snow DIS Global Database - Overview table
The below table gives an overview of what category of request can potentially be added to the Snow Data Intelligence Service (DIS) global database. A Yes value indicates that this category type can potentially be added.
For web / cloud applications please see this page.
Explanation by Category Type
Below we have listed each category type and given an explanation why the category type may / may not be added.
What is it?
Bespoke is a term used for an individually or custom-made product or service. Typically, software consulting companies offer packaged (already invented and generally applicable) software and bespoke software for client needs that can't be satisfied by packaged software. Bespoke software can also be called custom or custom-designed software.
Why is it NOT added to the global DIS database?
The DIS team serves as a global function and our focus has always been to continually add commercially available applications, regardless of if they require a license or not. Bespoke software however, does not have any global function in providing data to all our global customer's. Bespoke software should always be added locally. Licenses may be different between bespoke software customer's, limiting the DIS teams ability to have the correct license metrics. As Bespoke software is specific for individual customers, the metadata reported for Bespoke Software is also unique to an individual customer, therefore we cannot support this globally.
What is it?
Utility programs, commonly referred to as just "utilities," are software programs that add functionality to your computer or help your computer perform better. These include antivirus, backup, disk repair, file management, security, and networking programs. Utilities can also be applications such as screen savers, font and icon tools, and desktop enhancements. Some utility programs help keep your computer free from unwanted software such as viruses or spyware, while others add functionality that allows you to customise your desktop and user interface. In general, programs that help make your computer better are considered utilities.
Why is it added to the global DIS database?
We add Utilities globally as some customers have a need to know what Utlities are running on their network for security reasons, or require their network to use specific utilities for performance reasons.
What is it?
A module is a software component or part of a program that contains one or more routines. One or more independently developed modules make up a program. An enterprise-level software application may contain several different modules, and each module serves unique and separate business operations.
Modules make a programmer's job easy by allowing the programmer to focus on only one area of the functionality of the software application. Modules are typically incorporated into the program (software) through interfaces.
Why is it added to the global DIS database?
Modules often involve extra costs to an organisation to unlock their functionality, so adding modules to the global database helps our customers identify extra areas of software expenditure
What is it?
A software plug-in is an add-on for a program that adds functionality to it. For example, a Photoshop plug-in (such as Eye Candy) may add extra filters that you can use to manipulate images. A browser plug-in (such as Macromedia Flash or Apple QuickTime) allows you to play certain multimedia files within your Web browser. VST plug-ins add effects for audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio.
Most graphics and audio programs today support plug-ins since they are a convenient way to expand the capabilities of the program. Though some plug-ins may be shipped with the program, most are developed by third-parties and are sold separately. Because companies that make browser plug-ins are often competing for a standard (such as Flash and QuickTime), these plug-ins are usually available as free downloads from the Internet.
Why is it added to the global DIS database?
Plugins may have extra licensing fees assigned to them that enhance the capabilities of a commercially available application. Also, due to a high number of Plug-ins being developed by third party developers, it is important for Snow customers to know what Plug-ins are being used from a security perspective. Plug-in data will mostly be presented as registry key data (no executable = no metering) as they "hijack" the executable from another application that they run through.
What is it?
A software extension is a type of computer program that is meant to extend (add on to) what another computer program (called the base program) is able to do. Usually, it has some more instructions that the base program does not have. Either the base program or the extension can tell those instructions to run.
Why is it added to the global DIS database?
Extensions, similar to "Plug-Ins", may hold extra licensing casts, or be developed by third party developers and may hold a security risk. Also similar to Plug-Ins, Extension data will mostly be presented as registry key data (no executable = no metering) as they "hijack" the executable from another application that they run through.
What is it?
In computing, a device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device that is attached to a computer. A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices, enabling operating systems and other computer programs to access hardware functions without needing to know precise details of the hardware being used.
A driver communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware connects. When a calling program invokes a routine in the driver, the driver issues commands to the device. Once the device sends data back to the driver, the driver may invoke routines in the original calling program. Drivers are hardware dependent and operating-system-specific. They usually provide the interrupt handling required for any necessary asynchronous time-dependent hardware interface.
The main purpose of device drivers is to provide abstraction by acting as a translator between a hardware device and the applications or operating systems that use it. Programmers can write the higher-level application code independently of whatever specific hardware the end-user is using.
Why is it NOT added to the global DIS database?
Drivers are never added to the global DIS database, as they are used to control hardware devices and should not hold a license requirement. Adding Drivers to the global database would potentially create a lot of irrelevant data. License requirements for drivers usually fall on the hardware product itself and not the driver, without the hardware, the driver is rendered useless.
What is it?
In short, you can get a hundred different answers for the question "what is a component?" if you ask fifty different developers.
Beyond all these overloaded meanings on different systems, in the view of the DIS team, a component is always just a sub-system. For example all the other executables that were installed along with the main executable in some install path, or pre-installed software that always comes with the OS, i.e. Calculator, Photo Viewers, Notepad etc.
More specifically, Components can also be installed with a standalone, commercially available application, and have no license requirement. The License requirement is mostly on the main, launching executable. Therefore, the main launching executable is the file we should target for recognition and not Component executables. Not all executables are relevant for recognition, so customers may see various executables in their unassigned inventoried software view in SMACC, however many of these are not required to be recognized for the above reasons.
Why is it NOT added to the global DIS database?
Components, due to their nature of being pre-installed or installed along with the main exe, there should never be a license requirement for them. The value for customers to recognize components does not exist in reality as there are no extra costs, or requirements to manage from a license audit perspective.
There are some exceptions to this for specific products, such as Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection, which is pre-installed on all Windows 10 machines. It is not activated by default, however if activated by the administration configuration, then the component requires a license and will need to be managed from a licensing and audit perspective.
What is it?
An add-on is a software extension that adds extra features to a program. It may extend certain functions within the program, add new items to the program's interface, or give the program additional capabilities. For example, Mozilla Firefox, a popular Web browser, supports add-ons such as the Google toolbar, ad blockers, and Web developer tools. Some computer games support add-ons that provide extra maps, new characters, or give the player game-editing capabilities.
Most add-ons are available as self-installing packages. This means the user can simply double-click the add-on package to install the files for the corresponding program. Other add-ons may require the user to manually move files into specific directories. While not all programs support add-ons, many programs are now developed with add-on support, since it provides a simple way for other developers to extend the functions of the program.
Why is it added to the global DIS database?
Similar to Plug-Ins and Extensions, Add-Ons / Add-Ins and are added for similar reasons to the other categories. Add-Ons are common within enterprise level applications such as Microsoft Excel and require added licensing fees to be used. Also similar to Plug-Ins and Extensions, Add-Ons / Add-Ins data will mostly be presented as registry key data (no executable) as they "hijack" the executable from another application that they run through.
What is it?
A program that is employed in the development, repair, or enhancement of other programs or of hardware. Traditionally a set of software tools addressed only the essential needs during program development: a typical set might consist of a text editor, compiler, link loader, and some form of debug tool. Such a set concentrates solely on the program production phase and is that normally provided by a program development system.
It is now recognised that software tools can assist in all activities of all phases of the software life cycle, including management and quality-assurance activities. Thus a comprehensive set would address such issues as requirements specification, design, validation, configuration control, and project management. Such tools would frequently form part of an integrated software engineering environment.
Why is it added to the global DIS database?
We add Tool's to the global database as they are mainly independent software, but we have seen a growing value in recognising tools through ServiceNow tickets and customer request to have these recognised. Due to the nature of tools being widely used in the Engineering software industry, the value for tools being added to the global database is evident.
Case id: 00001065
Activity: Status change: 2 hours ago