Software License Management in Citrix/WTS Environments

Managing enterprise software licenses can be an extremely challenging and tedious process even when the most robust software asset management tools are utilized. Software license management becomes significantly more complicated when an organization’s IT environment also includes servers running Citrix or Windows Terminal Server (WTS), as few software asset management tools can provide inventory or usage data on applications delivered through these technology platforms.

When determining how to manage license compliance in a Citrix and/or Windows Terminal Server environment, three different license models must be considered, each of which demands a unique approach.

• Per User Licensing: This model is based on a specified number of end users. When an application is licensed in this manner, an organization’s license management technology must be capable of prohibiting additional non-licensed users from launching the software.
• Concurrent Licensing: This licensing scheme is defined by the maximum number of users permitted at any time. When software is concurrently licensed, the license management tool must be able to prevent users beyond the allowable maximum from using the application.
• Per Seat Licensing: In this model, licenses are obtained for a precise number of machine installations, regardless of the number of users. When software is licensed in such a way, the license management tool must be able to prohibit any additional machines from running the software.

Effectively managing software licensed based on any of these models requires software license management technology that collects software usage data at the server level and at the machine and user level. In addition, it must have features that let administrators to manage which machines and/or users can launch applications to which these licensing models apply. This blend of capabilities is known as “software usage metering” and can be found in most “best-of-breed” software license management products.