ManageEngine AssetExplorer vs. OpenLM for Engineering Licensing

The purchase order module can be very useful if you put a process in place. It is miles ahead of using a spreadsheet or something simple to do purchase orders and track spending. It can be good to keep track of equipment and software you have in house. However it is imperative you have dedicated staff and processes in place to maximize the utility of the software else it can become a white elephant if not implemented properly as it is a complex piece of software that does many things.

Incentivized

OpenLM can simplify the reporting of complex licenses with multiple toolboxes or products on one server. It covers most of our license server types, but not all. The academic version is reasonably priced (e.g. for educational institutions) giving 90% of the features, however setting it up on-premise was more complex than our original pilot would suggest. We couldn't do without it now.

• The asset discovery across the network is great.
• The periodic scanning and updating of asset status is super valuable.
• The software discovery is outstanding. Receiving list of installed software helps greatly with license compliance.

Incentivized

• Peak concurrent license use for any period of time, often less than expected, saves unnecessary over purchase.
• Denials of license, can quickly see where a license is not working, say, after an upgrade.
• Comparison of license utilisation (% when near the limit).
• Quick check of expiring licenses.

• You can fill the database and link it.
• You can also add assets that aren't connected with the offline script, I would prefer to get a .exe but this import XML works well.
• All is handled via the web, I would prefer a GUI standalone client.

Incentivized

• You can share a link to a dynamic report (e.g. the last 365 days). The URL is very long but it can be used with a 3rd party short URL utility and shared with users.
• Upgrading to the latest version took a long time to troubleshoot, which left a short gap in the saved data.

It is not a perfect solution. I don't believe it is the best software for some of the components it offers but I do like and appreciate what it does offer. It offers complexity and a range of features for a company to take advantage of if planned and implemented properly.

Incentivized

Altiris is very daunting for users that have never worked with it. AssetExplorer was much easier to use for our team that had no experience with asset management.

Incentivized

X-Formation, OpenIT, JTB, Sassafras either more expensive for the particular task of managing and monitoring concurrent licenses, or they had a different set of features (such as Sassafras K2/Keyserver also for remote access)

• Allow us to stay in compliance with licensing requirements. We usually have just the right amount of licenses +2 or 3. We don't have to guess on where we are.
• Allows us identify older assets and proactively replace them. Reduces downtime.
• No negative impacts I can think of.

Incentivized

• The academic version has paid for itself handsomely, including our setup costs. The ongoing strategic information saves costs.