Lizenzbestand

Lizenzbestand refers to the total number of software licenses owned or held by an individual or organization. It encompasses all active, inactive, and potentially expired licenses for various software applications. Maintaining an accurate Lizenzbestand is crucial for software asset management, ensuring compliance with licensing agreements, and optimizing software expenditures. A detailed Lizenzbestand allows organizations to track which licenses are in use, by whom, and for how long. This information helps prevent over-licensing, where more licenses are purchased than needed, and under-licensing, which can lead to legal penalties and security risks.

The process of managing a Lizenzbestand typically involves several key steps. Firstly, it requires a comprehensive inventory of all software deployed within an organization. This is often achieved through automated discovery tools that scan networks and devices. Secondly, each discovered software instance needs to be matched against existing license entitlements. This involves comparing the installed software against the purchased licenses, considering factors such as version, edition, and user count. Thirdly, ongoing monitoring and reconciliation are essential to keep the Lizenzbestand up-to-date as software is installed, uninstalled, or upgraded. Regular audits of the Lizenzbestand help to identify discrepancies and ensure continuous compliance. Effective Lizenzbestand management can lead to significant cost savings by avoiding unnecessary license purchases and by leveraging existing licenses more efficiently. It also strengthens an organization's security posture by ensuring that only authorized and properly licensed software is in use.