• Navigate to the "Devices" tab and click "Add Device".
• Enter the IP address or hostname of the device hosting the software applications you want to monitor.
• Provide authentication credentials (if required) for accessing the device.
• PRTG will automatically discover available sensors for software license monitoring.

Configuring Software License Monitoring Sensors:

• Select the appropriate software license monitoring sensor (e.g., WMI Software Sensor, SNMP Custom Sensor).
• Configure sensor settings such as monitoring intervals, thresholds, and authentication details.
• Define specific parameters to monitor, such as software usage, license counts, and license expiration dates.

Dashboard Customization:

• Customize the dashboard to display software license usage and compliance metrics.
• Add widgets for real-time and historical data visualization.
• Arrange the layout for easy monitoring of software license status.

Setting Up Alerts:

• Configure alerts for license usage violations or impending expiration dates.
• Define thresholds for acceptable license usage levels and remaining days until expiration.
• Choose notification methods (email, SMS) for alerts to ensure timely awareness of license compliance issues.

Historical Data Analysis:

• Analyze historical data to identify trends in software license usage and compliance.
• Generate reports to gain insights into license usage patterns, compliance status, and trends over time.
• Compare data across different software applications or periods for compliance evaluation and audit preparation.

Compliance Management:

• Use monitoring data to ensure compliance with software licensing agreements.
• Track license usage against purchased licenses to identify overutilization or underutilization.
• Take proactive measures such as reallocating licenses, purchasing additional licenses, or uninstalling unused software to maintain compliance.

Integration and Automation:

• Integrate PRTG with license management systems for enhanced functionality.
• Automate monitoring tasks such as alert acknowledgments and compliance reporting workflows.
• Leverage third-party integrations for advanced analysis and reporting of software license usage and compliance.

Maintenance and Updates:

• Keep PRTG updated to access the latest features and security patches.
• Monitor PRTG health for optimal performance.
• Perform routine maintenance tasks like database cleanup and sensor optimization.

By following these steps, you can effectively monitor software license usage and ensure compliance with licensing agreements across your network using PRTG Network Monitor, helping you avoid potential legal risks and financial penalties associated with non-compliance.