From time to time, customers ask whether we have an API to import data into Express Software Manager from their enterprise purchasing systems.  Although it’s not something we promote directly on our web site (perhaps we should?), the answer is “yes.”  Our API provides for two-way data flow; you can pull data either from Express Software Manager for integration into an external purchasing system, or vice versa.  The API does not currently have connectors for specific purchasing systems, but with a little development expertise, you can have it up and running in no time. 

If you’re interested in knowing more about our API, please contact your account representative. 

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One of the likely reasons you invested in Express Software Manager is because of its outstanding software recognition.  We can all thank the Express Software Identification Database (ESID) for that.  Under development for over a decade, the ESID is recognized throughout the industry as the most accurate and comprehensive database of commercial applications, enabling proper identification of software installed and used across corporate desktops and servers.  

Despite the database’s completeness, there will likely be occasions that you find one or more unrecognized applications within your environment.  If this is ever the case, be sure to use the machine scanning technology found within Express Software Manager to capture the information needed to add the application(s) to the ESID!  It takes just a few minutes, and helps ensure there are no gaps in your IT asset reporting.

To contribute unrecognized apps to the ESID, simply follow the steps below:

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Happy holidays to all!  As we wrap up 2011, we have a final Report of the Month to highlight within Express Software Manager:  Software Installation by Version.  This report, while simple in conception, has a whole host of uses, from ensuring your users have successfully upgraded to the latest version of Application X to verifying the install path of your end users’ software. 

The Software Installation by Version report, depicted in the screenshot below, shows which versions of any given application title are installed across your organization, along with the specific machines upon which those versions reside.  The second screenshot zeroes in on Microsoft Office Professional 2007, revealing which of its components are installed on a particular user’s muchine, along with associated service packs. 

Screenshot #1)

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From time to time, we have the privilege of circling back with individual customers and hearing their inside stories about the strides they’ve made over the years through the use of our product.  Last month, we were able to connect with Luke Fine, IT Coordinator at ACS Technologies, who has used Express Software Manager for over four years, and has since become one of the product’s strongest customer advocates. 

Here’s a brief summary of his story: 

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As most of you are probably aware, with the 9.5 version of Express Software Manager we introduced a purchasing system and interface that allows for easy reconciliation of purchasing details with deployed hardware and software assets. One of the most basic and useful purchasing reports found within the product is the “License Unit Purchase History.” This report allows you to view both summary and detailed purchasing information for any given license unit group, manufacturer, or UPNSC category. Not only can you quickly determine how many licenses you’ve purchased for any given application, but you can also see how many purchase orders were executed, per unit (and summary) costs, and license type.

In the below example, grouped by manufacturer, you can drill in on the individual license unit to see, for any given order, the machines/users to which purchased items have been assigned. Additionally, this data can be exported to Excel for budgeting, planning, and executive reporting purposes. (more…)