[How-to] Track On-Prem Software Usage and Uncover Shadow IT in AssetSonar

Struggling to figure out which software is being used across your organization’s devices? With AssetSonar’s new On-Prem Software Metering, you can stop guessing and start knowing. This feature gives you direct visibility into on-prem software activity on Windows machines, helping you uncover unused licenses, spot unauthorized software, and take control of Shadow IT.

This beta release is currently available for Windows devices only. Mac and Linux support will follow soon.

1. Enable On-Prem Software Metering

To turn on software usage tracking:

Go to Settings → Items Settings → On-Prem Software Metering (Beta).
Select Enabled and click Update.

2. Install Required Tools

To begin capturing software usage data, you’ll need to install two tools on your Windows machines:

ActivityWatch for Windows
This open-source tool tracks application activity locally.
- Head to the ActivityWatch download page.
- Click the Installer (recommended) option.
- Run the downloaded file to complete the setup.

AssetSonar ITAM Agent
This enables AssetSonar to fetch and interpret device-level usage data.

You can find both installation links under Settings → Item Settings → On-Prem Software Metering (Beta). Both tools must be installed for AssetSonar to collect and display on-prem software usage insights.

3. View Software Usage of an Asset

Once everything is set up, AssetSonar begins collecting usage data automatically.

Note: It may take some time for the initial sync to complete and for usage data to appear, depending on device activity and network conditions.

To view software activity on a specific asset:

Go to Items → Assets and open the relevant asset’s Details Page.
Click the Software tab.
You’ll see the list of Discovered Software for that asset, providing you with the information on the Name, Version, Publisher, Installation Date, and Last Access Date. Use this view to spot unused software on individual devices — ideal for 1:1 investigations or cleanups.

4. Get the Full Picture: Devices, Users, and License Insights

Once software usage is detected, AssetSonar ties together insights from devices, users, and licenses — all from the Software’s details page.

Navigate to Items → Software and open any software to explore:

Associated Assets tab
View all devices on which this software has been installed, including when each last accessed it.
Associated Users tab
See who accessed the software, whether on-prem or via cloud. You’ll also see their license status and last activity timestamp.
Associated Software Licenses tab
If the software is licensed, go to the Associated Software Licenses tab and click on a license. You’ll land on the License’s details page, where you can view a consolidated breakdown of cloud and on-prem usage from the User Insights tab. Similarly, on the Installation Insights tab, you may find installations that are licensed or unlicensed. In either case, where on-prem users or installations are unlicensed, you may entitle them directly from here.

5. Visualize Usage Trends with Widgets and KPIs

Once software usage tracking is enabled, AssetSonar provides actionable insights through dedicated KPI cards and usage widgets across your workspace.

These visualizations help you quickly identify:

Most used and least used software.
Users or assets with high or low software engagement.
Shadow IT risk via cloud-only access.
Optimization opportunities based on actual usage.

These insights help CIOs and IT leadership make smarter renewal, budgeting, and compliance decisions at scale.

You’ll find these KPIs in three main areas:

A. Software Details Page → Usage Insights Tab

Go to Software (Navigation Menu) → Software Name → Usage Insights to view:

Top Members by Usage – Bar graph of users who used the software the most.
Top Assets by Usage – Bar graph of devices with the highest usage.
Software Accessed Through – Donut chart breaking down cloud vs on-prem access.
Software Last Accessed By – Table of users with timestamps and devices.
Unused Software Installs – Devices where this software is installed but unused.

Use the date range filter to adjust the timeframe of these insights.

B. Asset Details Page → Software Usage Insights Tab

Go to Items (Navigation Menu) → Assets → Asset Name → Software Usage Insights to see:

Top Software by Usage – Most used software on the device.
Software Usage by Category – Donut chart showing the category of each software (e.g., Design tool, Productivity tool, Development tool).

Note: This insight is available only for software that has been normalized. To normalize software, go to Software → Normalization.

Total Software Usage Time – KPI card aggregating usage duration.
Last Accessed Software – Table of recently used software.
Unused Software Installations – Installed apps not used during the selected period

C. Member Details Page → Software Usage Insights Tab

Open Members & Access → Member Name → Software Usage Insights to explore:

Top Software by Usage – Software used most by this person
Software Usage by Category – Donut chart showing the category of each software (e.g., Design tool, Productivity tool, Development tool).

Note: This insight is available only for software that has been normalized. To normalize software, go to Software → Normalization.

Total Software Usage Time – KPI of all detected usage
Last Accessed Software – Recently used apps with timestamps and device
Unused Software Installations – Installed software never used by this member

Note: These insights are available only for devices with ActivityWatch and the AssetSonar Agent installed.

D. Dashboard and Reports

If you’re on the Software Asset Management (SAM) or Unified ITAM plan, you may also add new widgets on the Dashboard:

Top Used Software
Members with Highest Software Usage
Unused Software Installations

These help you track trends, uncover underutilized software, and prepare for license optimization or renewals.

Ready to Reclaim and Right-Size Your Software?

With AssetSonar’s On-Prem Software Metering, you finally have the missing link in your software usage visibility. Whether it’s spotting underused tools, identifying unmanaged installs, or bridging cloud and on-prem usage — you’re in control.

And this is just the beginning. As Mac and Linux support roll out, you’ll gain even deeper insights into your organization’s Shadow IT footprint. Turn it on. Take action. Track what matters.

Need help getting started or deploying the agent? Email us at support@ezo.io — we’re happy to assist!