Maximizing client value with the Software Summary Report

The Software Summary Report comprehensively overviews a client's software inventory, support statuses, and associated risks. This article guides you through accessing, interpreting, and leveraging the report to enhance your client management strategy.

Understanding the Importance of the Software Summary Report

The Software Summary Report is tailored for each client managed within Lifecycle Manager. It summarizes all software assets, categorizing them by their support status to help you swiftly identify risks and opportunities for proactive action. This report is important for IT service providers aiming to ensure software compliance, optimize software lifecycle management, and mitigate security risks.

Accessing the Software Summary Report

To utilize this report, follow these steps to access the report:

  1. Navigate to the Clients Page:
    1. Begin by signing into Lifecycle Manager and head to the Clients page. This section houses all your client-specific information.
  2. Select a Specific Client:
    1. Choose the client for whom you want to generate the Software Summary Report. This selection should be based on current needs for review or scheduled routine checks.
  3. Locate the Software Menu:
    1. Within the client’s detailed page, click on the Assets menu, and then select the Software option. This pathway will direct you to the software-specific section of the client’s asset management.
  4. Generate the Report:
    1. Find and click the Software Summary Report button located at the top-right of the page. This action generates the report for the selected client.

Interpreting the Report

Overview of the Report Layout

  • High-Level Summary Page:
    • The front page of the report provides a high-level, color-coded summary that makes it easy to grasp the overall risk associated with the client’s software assets. This intuitive design helps in assessing the urgency and extent of potential issues.
  • Detailed Software Asset List:
    • Following the summary, the report lists every software asset the client possesses. Each entry includes detailed information such as the number of installations and the support status (e.g., supported, unsupported, nearing end-of-life).

Utilizing the Report to Enhance Client Strategy

Risk Identification and Management

  • Spot Critical Vulnerabilities:
    • Use the color-coded risks to identify software that is unsupported or nearing end-of-support. These are potential vulnerabilities that could expose your client to security breaches.

Action Opportunities

  • Plan Upgrades and Changes:
    • Based on the support statuses, plan and propose upgrades or replacements for at-risk software, ensuring your client's environment remains secure and compliant.
  • Customize Client Discussions:
    • Armed with specific data from the report, engage in more meaningful discussions with clients about their software strategy.

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