Summary
Express Metrix utilizes a number of methods of collecting information about applications to grow the ESID. One key method is support from customers by scanning PCs containing applications not in the ESID and sending the results to Express Metrix for processing and inclusion in future ESID releases. This Technical Note describes the process of obtaining the scanning tool, scanning an individual machine, and providing the information to Express Metrix.

Contributing to the ESID
The Express Metrix ESID scanner is a tool that collects file and certain registry information on a PC for later inclusion in the Express Software Identification Database. The scanner is actually a special version of the Express Inventory Client, designed to collect only that information needed for ESID processing. Once complete, scans can be sent to Express Metrix so that any unidentified commercial applications can be considered for inclusion in a future ESID release.

Note: The scanner does not collect any sensitive or personal information. Information collected consists of:

• File name, size, and header information for executables; path information is also collected so that the data can be properly analyzed, but no path information is included in the ESID itself
• Application installation information (GUID, title, version, manufacturer, etc.) found in the Windows registry
• Information from the Start Menu used to help identify which application executables the application manufacturer considers most important
• Machine and domain name (for reference only should we need to contact you about the scan - nothing is included in the ESID)

Express Software Manager version 8.0 and above supports scanning a PC directly from the Administrative Console. This process is similar to the functionality used to deploy the Express Client from the console, however, no software is actually installed; the executable is copied, executed, then removed.

To scan a particular machine:

1. From within the Administative Console, browse to the Machines panel and select the machine you want to scan.
2. Select Machine/Contribute to the ESID... to display the Contribute to the ESID dialog box. (You can also display this dialog using the right-click menu on the machine.)
3. Provide the requested information - this information helps us most effectively and accurately process the scan and contact you, if necessary.
4. Click Start to dismiss the dialog and start the scan. The scan, when completed, will automatically be transferred via FTP to Express Metrix.

Note: You may optionally choose to have the scan saved locally and upload it later to the Express Metrix support web site. If you cannot run the scanner remotely from the Administrative Console (for example, if the PC's firewall does not allow access), you can run it manually on the PC itself. The scanner, appscan.exe is found in the \Administrative Console\Appscan folder of your Express Software Manager installation. An accompanying file, AppscanReadme.txt provides additionally information on running the scanner in this way as well as uploading the resulting scans for processing. The application scanner is also available on the Express Metrix web site in the downloads section. Click here to go to downloads. (You may be required to provide your VPA number access this portion of the site.)