> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.nexthink.com/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/software-metering/managing-software-metering.md).

# Managing Software Metering

Examine the software license usage within your organization by creating a software metering configuration for each product of interest.

## Accessing the Manage software metering page <a href="#managingsoftwaremetering-accessingthemanagesoftwaremeteringpage" id="managingsoftwaremetering-accessingthemanagesoftwaremeteringpage"></a>

* Select **Software Metering** from the main menu.
* Click the **Manage software metering** in the navigation panel.

You can only meter software that has been configured in the Applications module. Refer to the [Manage Applications](/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/applications/managing-applications.md) documentation for more information.

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-fa2e6bb7c853cc30790f270c3a0164a9edabb12a%2Fdex-1702625695.png?alt=media" alt="Accessing the Manage software metering page" width="760"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Create a new software meter <a href="#managingsoftwaremetering-createanewsoftwaremeter" id="managingsoftwaremetering-createanewsoftwaremeter"></a>

Click on the **New software metering** button in the top-right corner of the **Manage software metering** page to begin the configuration process.

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-874e574ddc3a7753d19da16d647bc7ff70cc6d74%2Fdex-1702625278.png?alt=media" alt="Manage software metering page" width="744"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You need proper permissions to configure software metering. Refer to the Permissions section of the [Getting started with Software Metering](/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/software-metering/getting-started-with-software-metering.md) documentation for more information.

### Configuration <a href="#managingsoftwaremetering-configuration" id="managingsoftwaremetering-configuration"></a>

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-98381aeed5007e5b9f1bc0d737c998e0c39c0845%2Fsm-1694174261.png?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Enter the following information:

* **Software metering name**: This name appears on the Manage software metering page and the list of software meters in the navigation panel for the module.
* **NQL ID**: An NQL ID generated from the software metering name for use when writing queries. Once the system has created the software meter, you can no longer change the NQL ID.
* **Description**: A meaningful description of the configuration.
* **License type**: This can be either **User-based** or **Device-based**. The license type dictates the insights provided by the system and adapts the configuration options.&#x20;
* **Applications**: Select one or multiple applications for the metering. Click inside the text field to view the list of applications.\
  **Note**: Changing the selection of applications is not retroactive and the system reflects the change starting on the day of the change.
  * Applications can only be associated with one software metering configuration at a time.
  * If you have chosen a **Device-based** licensing model, you cannot select web applications.

### **Underusage**

Depending on the type of application selected, desktop, web, or hybrid, you must configure different monthly usage thresholds for the application per device or per user.

For web applications:

* **Metric**: Focus time is selected automatically by the system.
* **Threshold**: Select the amount of time for the usage **threshold**.
* **Unit**: Define the unit of time: **minutes** or **hours**. You must enable data collection of web usage time on your system. Refer to the *Collect usage time for web applications* section in the [Manage Applications](/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/applications/managing-applications.md) documentation for more information.

For desktop applications:

* **Metric**: Choose between **Execution duration** and **Focus time**.
* **Threshold**: Select the amount of time for the usage threshold.
* **Unit**: Define the unit of time: **minutes** or **hours**. You must enable data collection of focus time on your system. Refer to the [Focus time metric](/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/references/database-information-and-organization/focus-time-metric.md) documentation for more information.

### **Package details**

This option is only available for **Device-based** licensing.

* Select either a single package or multiple packages per desktop application.
* The same package can be associated with multiple desktop applications.

## Editing a software meter <a href="#managingsoftwaremetering-editingasoftwaremeter" id="managingsoftwaremetering-editingasoftwaremeter"></a>

Click on the name of the software meter on the Manage software configuration page to edit it.

## Deleting a software meter <a href="#managingsoftwaremetering-deletingasoftwaremeter" id="managingsoftwaremetering-deletingasoftwaremeter"></a>

Hover over a software meter to reveal the action menu on the right side of the table. Click on it and select **Delete** to remove the configuration.

{% hint style="info" %}
You cannot add or delete a software application while editing the existing software metering configuration.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="https://268444917-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FxJSUDk9NTtCHYPG5EWs3%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ad05c25aedcdeecc9087a6762ff16d74874cd64a%2Fdex-1702625519.png?alt=media" alt="Delete option in the action menu" width="760"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

RELATED TOPICS

* [Getting started with Software Metering](/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/software-metering/getting-started-with-software-metering.md)
* [Software Metering NQL examples](/platform/~/changes/Sh4xqs4GDClkDKT9Hvux/user-guide/software-metering/software-metering-nql-examples.md)


---

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