Performing a software inventory is the fist step in understanding your software assets. Watch this animated tutorial and take the first step in understanding software asset management.

Note: File size is 350KB. Tutorial will launch in new window. Requires Flash Player 6.

There are two main techniques for inventorying software:

You can perform a manual inventory by checking the hard drive of each PC and recording the information in a report. One easy way to start is to view the Add or Remove Programs screen on each PC. More info

You can use a software inventory tool to perform an automatic inventory of your company’s PCs and servers. The Software Inventory and Asset Management Tools catalog contains a searchable list of these types of tools. In addition, you can use the Microsoft Software Inventory Analyzer (MSIA) to determine which major Microsoft titles are installed. These automated tools make inventorying software easy.

You can use MSIA or a software asset management tool to scan PCs that are on a network or to scan each non-networked PC (stand-alone). Most SAM tools automatically generate software inventory reports – there are example reports available in the Downloadable Documents section. If you use such a tool on stand-alone PCs, you will need to install the tool on each PC

When you’ve inventoried all of your company’s PCs, combine the information into one master report. This report will be instrumental in the next step of SAM and as a reference for all SAM work moving forward.

Related Downloadable Documents: PC Software Inventory Report Template Summary Inventory Summary Report Template

Walk through this example on performing a software inventory.