How to use Currentware's Cost Insights for Software Metering
Understanding and Using the Cost Insights Dashboard in CurrentWare
CurrentWare’s Cost Insights dashboard, available through the BrowseReporter Dashboard module, is a powerful tool designed to help organizations gain deeper visibility into software utilization and associated costs. By providing detailed insights into software usage patterns and license renewals, Cost Insights can assist IT administrators and finance teams in identifying areas of software waste and recovering unnecessary expenditures.
Accessing the Cost Insights Dashboard
To begin using this feature, open BrowseReporter and navigate to the Dashboard menu located on the left-hand side. In the top right pane, you will find a list of available dashboards. Locate and select Cost Insights from this list. If you do not immediately see the Cost Insights dashboard, click the three-dot menu(...) icon to expand the full list of dashboards. This will reveal any hidden options, including Cost Insights.
Configuring Applications for Reporting
In order to begin collecting data on software usage, you will need to define the applications you wish to track. To do this:
Click the "New Software" button located in the upper-right corner of the dashboard interface.
A configuration window will appear where you can enter the details of the software you would like to monitor. This includes the application name, license type, and associated cost and renewal data.
You can also group multiple applications into a single entry if they are part of a bundled suite, such as Microsoft Office 365 subscriptions. This enables you to monitor usage holistically and accurately track costs across software packages that are deployed together.
Viewing Application Usage Details
Once your software entries are configured, they will appear at the bottom of the Cost Insights dashboard. Here, you can view important metrics and information such as:
- Application name
- Usage statistics (e.g., active hours, frequency of use)
- Cost per license
- Potential cost savings opportunities based on usage trends
To explore an individual application in greater depth, click on the application title. This will open a dedicated dashboard for that specific application, offering more granular insights into how frequently it is used, by whom, and whether the current license allocation is justified. These insights can be instrumental in making informed decisions about renewing, reducing, or reallocating licenses.
Setting Up Monthly Reports
For ongoing visibility, you can automate the delivery of monthly reports that summarize software usage and cost data. To enable this feature:
1. Click the "Monthly Email" button located in the upper-right corner of the main Cost Insights window.
2. Enter the email addresses of the recipients you would like to receive these reports. You can include multiple stakeholders such as department heads, IT managers, or procurement officers.
These reports provide regular snapshots of software utilization, helping your organization stay proactive in managing software assets and identifying opportunities for cost optimization.
Related Articles
Today’s Insights
Today’s Insights provide real-time updates on team and user activities, productivity, and availability, giving managers valuable insights into the daily work of their employees. By keeping this information up-to-date and easily accessible, managers ...Best practices to block mouse mover software
Employers have a common concern with productivity when employees are working remotely A common occurrence with remote working is having employees fake mouse and keyboard movements to avoid getting an “idle” or “away” status with related work apps. ...Can I use CurrentWare at home?
Our software is designed and developed for business use, but it can work in any local network, whether in an office or at home. CurrentWare can easily be installed on any Windows desktop or laptop. BrowseReporter, AccessPatrol, enPowerManager and ...CurrentWare for Productivity Management
Effective productivity management is key to maximizing efficiency in today's work environment. This guide will provide links to support articles, samples, best practices, and setup guidance to maximize your CurrentWare deployment for optimizing your ...How to use Gmail to send CurrentWare Emails
Google introduced a new security feature with their Gmail account that prevents Non-Google applications from signing onto Gmail. For CurrentWare to work with Gmail clients, the mailbox must be setup with an Application Password. As of May 2022 Google ...