This article explains which types of cloud, web, and other applications can potentially be added to the Data Intelligence Service (DIS) global database.

For guidance on capturing URLs for a new cloud or web application recognition request, see How to Retrieve Cloud Application URLs for Global Recognition and Metering.

Cloud and web applications

The following table shows which categories of cloud and web applications can potentially be added to the DIS global database.

SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS

These are web applications that are usually used for work-related tasks and usually require a license. Examples include WebEx, Zoom, and Office Online.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

IaaS provides virtual machines that you own and operate but that run on internet-hosted hardware. You are responsible for installing, configuring, patching, and securing the virtual machines, while the service provider purchases and maintains the underlying hardware.

Examples include Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure.

For more information, see Microsoft's definition of Infrastructure as a Service.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

PaaS provides back-end applications that run on internet-hosted hardware. For example, you can use a SQL database or file server with your data hosted on another provider's server and operating system. You are not responsible for installing or patching the application, such as SQL, but you are responsible for the data and how the database is accessed.

Examples include Google App Engine and OpenShift.

For more information, see Microsoft's definition of Platform as a Service.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

SaaS provides web-based applications. You are responsible for the data, while the cloud provider is responsible for the hardware, software, patching, and enhancements.

Examples include Google Maps, Microsoft Office Online, and QuickBooks Online.

For more information, see Microsoft's definition of Software as a Service.

Admin portal

Admin portals can control licenses and manage access for users. Because of this, there may be a requirement to track which users have access.

Examples:

• Microsoft Azure portal
• AWS Management Console

Support portal

Support portals provide access to vendor support, guides, downloads, and other resources. Access may require a support contract, and different levels of support contracts may be available.

Examples:

• Palo Alto Networks Support
• SAP Support Portal
• Microsoft Support

Community portal

Community portal users can discover, follow, view, or participate in discussions about a vendor or product.

Examples:

• Salesforce communities
• Canvas Community

Customer/member portal

Customer or member portals typically allow users to view and manage licenses, download materials, and access additional information from a vendor. They can also provide access to services such as car rental. It may be valuable to identify whether multiple or many different portals are being used throughout a company.

Example:

• Equinix Customer Portal

Partner portal

Partner portals typically allow users to view licenses, download clients or other materials, access vendor information, and obtain additional product education. They can also support collaboration between vendors and customers.

Examples:

• LiveVault Partners
• Barracuda Partners

Bespoke web applications

As with bespoke software, bespoke cloud applications are not added to the global recognition rules. They can still be added locally in Snow License Manager.

Streaming websites

Streaming websites are unlikely to provide value from a licensing perspective and are less likely to be used for work-related tasks.

Examples include Netflix and YouTube.

Social media

Social media applications are unlikely to provide value from a licensing perspective and are less likely to be used for work-related tasks.

Examples include Facebook and Twitter.

Shopping

Shopping websites are unlikely to provide value from a licensing perspective and are less likely to be used for work-related tasks.

Betting

Betting websites are unlikely to provide value from a licensing perspective and are less likely to be used for work-related tasks.

Other application types

The following table shows which other application categories can potentially be added to the DIS global database depending on whether the application requires a license.

Bespoke software

Bespoke software is an individually or custom-made product or service. Software consulting companies may offer both packaged software that is generally applicable and bespoke software designed for client needs that cannot be satisfied by packaged software. Bespoke software can also be called custom or custom-designed software.

The DIS team serves a global function and focuses on adding commercially available applications, regardless of whether they require a license. Bespoke software does not provide global data that applies to all customers and should always be added locally.

Licenses can differ between bespoke software customers, limiting the DIS team's ability to provide the correct license metrics. The metadata reported for bespoke software is also unique to an individual customer, so it cannot be supported globally.

Utility

Utility programs, commonly called utilities, are software programs that add functionality to a computer or help it perform better. They include antivirus, backup, disk repair, file management, security, and networking programs.

Utilities can also include screen savers, font and icon tools, and desktop enhancements. Some utilities help keep computers free from unwanted software such as viruses or spyware, while others provide additional functionality for customizing the desktop and user interface. In general, programs that help improve the operation or functionality of a computer are considered utilities.

Utilities are added globally because some customers need to know which utilities are running on their networks for security reasons or require their networks to use specific utilities for performance reasons.

Module

A module is a software component or part of a program that contains one or more routines. One or more independently developed modules can make up a program. An enterprise-level software application may contain several modules, with each module supporting unique and separate business operations.

Modules make a programmer's job easier by allowing the programmer to focus on one area of the application's functionality. Modules are typically incorporated into software through interfaces.

Modules are added to the global DIS database because they can involve additional costs to an organization to unlock their functionality. Recognizing modules can therefore help customers identify additional areas of software expenditure.

Plugin

A software plugin is an add-on for a program that adds functionality. For example, a Photoshop plugin such as Eye Candy may provide additional filters for manipulating images. A browser plugin such as Macromedia Flash or Apple QuickTime can enable playback of certain multimedia files in a web browser. VST plugins add effects to audio recording and sequencing programs such as Cubase and Logic Audio.

Many graphics and audio programs support plugins because they provide a convenient way to expand a program's capabilities. Some plugins are included with the program, while others are developed by third parties and sold separately. Browser plugins may also be available as free downloads when vendors compete around a particular standard, such as Flash or QuickTime.

Plugins can have additional licensing fees that enhance the capabilities of a commercially available application. Because many plugins are developed by third-party developers, customers may also need to know which plugins are being used for security reasons.

Plugin data is mostly presented as registry key data. Because there is no executable, there is no metering. Plugins use the executable of another application through which they run.

Extension

A software extension is a type of computer program that extends or adds to what another computer program, called the base program, can do. It typically provides additional instructions that the base program does not have. Either the base program or the extension can cause those instructions to run.

Extensions, like plugins, can have additional licensing costs or can be developed by third-party developers and present a security risk.

Like plugins, extension data is mostly presented as registry key data. Because there is no executable, there is no metering. Extensions use the executable of another application through which they run.

Driver

A device driver is a computer program that operates or controls a particular type of device attached to a computer. A driver provides a software interface to hardware devices so that operating systems and other programs can access hardware functions without needing to know the precise details of the hardware.

A driver communicates with the device through the computer bus or communications subsystem to which the hardware is connected. When a calling program invokes a routine in the driver, the driver issues commands to the device. When the device returns data, the driver may invoke routines in the original calling program.

Drivers are hardware-dependent and operating-system-specific. They typically provide the interrupt handling required for necessary asynchronous, time-dependent hardware interfaces.

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. This allows programmers to write higher-level application code independently of the specific hardware used by the end user.

Drivers are not added to the global DIS database because they are used to control hardware devices and should not have a license requirement. Adding drivers could also create a large amount of irrelevant data.

License requirements for drivers usually apply to the hardware product itself rather than to the driver. Without the hardware, the driver is not useful.

Component

The term component can have different meanings depending on the system or developer. For the DIS team, a component is treated as a subsystem.

Examples include additional executables installed with the main executable in an installation path or pre-installed software that comes with an operating system, such as Calculator, photo viewers, and Notepad.

Components can also be installed with a standalone, commercially available application without having their own license requirement. The license requirement is usually associated with the main launching executable. Therefore, the main launching executable should be targeted for recognition rather than the component executables.

Not all executables are relevant for recognition. Customers may see various executables in the unassigned inventoried software view in Snow Management and Configuration Center (SMACC), but many of them do not need to be recognized for these reasons.

Components are not generally added to the global DIS database because, when they are pre-installed or installed with the main executable, they should not have a separate license requirement. There is no value in recognizing these components when there are no additional costs or requirements to manage from a license audit perspective.

Exception: There are exceptions 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. If it is activated through administration configuration, the component requires a license and must be managed from a licensing and audit perspective.

Add-on/add-in

An add-on is a software extension that adds features to a program. It may extend functions within the program, add items to the program's interface, or provide additional capabilities.

For example, Mozilla Firefox supports add-ons such as the Google toolbar, ad blockers, and web developer tools. Some computer games also support add-ons that provide additional maps, new characters, or game-editing capabilities.

Most add-ons are available as self-installing packages that users can install by double-clicking the package. Other add-ons may require users to manually move files into specific directories. Although not all programs support add-ons, many are developed with add-on support because it provides a simple way for other developers to extend their functionality.

Add-ons and add-ins are added for reasons similar to plugins and extensions. They are common in enterprise applications such as Microsoft Excel and may require additional licensing fees.

Like plugins and extensions, add-on and add-in data is mostly presented as registry key data. Because there is no executable, they use the executable of another application through which they run.

Tool

A tool is a program used in the development, repair, or enhancement of other programs or hardware.

Traditionally, a set of software tools addressed essential needs during program development and might include a text editor, compiler, link loader, and some form of debugging tool. Such a set focuses on the program production phase and is normally provided by a program development system.

Software tools can also assist with activities throughout the software lifecycle, including management and quality assurance. A comprehensive set can address requirements specification, design, validation, configuration control, and project management. These tools can form part of an integrated software engineering environment.

Tools are added to the global DIS database because they are mainly independent software, and there has been growing demand for their recognition through ServiceNow tickets and customer requests. Because tools are widely used in the engineering software industry, there is value in adding them to the global database.