Software scan
Software scans include information about files on computer disks and Windows system registry entries. The software product library is then used to create a list of installed products based on the scanned data.
A prerequisite for a correct evaluation of software scans is an up-to-date software product library. The library is regularly updated, see Administration - Asset Management - Settings - SW product library.
For the system to be able to perform software scan, all the computers you want to scan must be registered in the tree. It is sufficient that an object of type computer exists in the tree. You do not need to perform hardware scan. For more information on how to add computers to the registry, see the Device objects page.
After Collector performs a scan and loads it into the database, it automatically evaluates it against the software product library and updates the Installation registry.
When the library is loaded into the database, the application identifies itself to the Alvao service with the data contained in the activation key.
If the system fails to detect certain programs and you see unrecognized entries on the Software tab, select those entries and choose Send SW to identify... from the shortcut menu. A wizard will be displayed where you can enter advanced information for the unrecognized records, and once this wizard is complete, a ticket will be created and sent by Collector to our specialists. They will add the unrecognized products to the standard library. You will then be able to download the updated library from the Internet using the command Software - Software Product Library - Load current library. After downloading the new library and re-evaluating the relevant scans, the records will be recognized.
You can also extend the software product library in a custom way, see Custom software product library.
The computer Installation registry is automatically updated by software scan only if this option is enabled in scan profile for the computer.
A quick overview of the software that is installed on a particular computer or in an organizational folder can be seen on the Objects - Object - Software tab.
Installation registry
In the installation registry, records are kept for each computer about which program (software product) was installed on which computer when and by whom, or when it was uninstalled. Similarly, records of activation, configuration, etc. may also be recorded. When software is scanned on a regular basis, the Installation registry automatically creates records of program installations or un-installations so that the current status of the Installation registry matches the scanned status.
You can manually enter records in the Installation registry by using the Objects - Object - Software tab - Add installation and Remove installation commands.