As more software vendors move toward consumption-based licensing, IT asset managers and software procurement teams are facing a new reality: rising complexity, unpredictable costs, and increasing pressure to align spending with actual usage. But how do you define actual usage in a way that’s meaningful and measurable?
At IAITAM ACE 2025, Open iT invites you to discover a more precise and actionable approach in the session: True Active Usage: Optimizing Consumption-Based Licensing.
Join Linda Cole, Solutions Architect at Open iT, on April 24, 2025, from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM, at Modena 3, The M Resort, Las Vegas, and unpack the concept of true active usage—a method that goes beyond logins and license checkouts to uncover how software is being engaged with across teams, projects, and geographies. Learn how deeper visibility into real usage can drive smarter negotiations, eliminate waste, and support sustainable, cost-efficient license management in a consumption-driven world.
Actual Usage as a Quantifiable Metric
Consumption-based licensing promises flexibility, but without visibility into actual software usage, it often results in inefficiencies and unplanned expenditures. Traditional indicators—such as license checkouts, login timestamps, or peak usage snapshots—can misrepresent demand and distort entitlement planning.
At IAITAM ACE 2025, Linda Cole will introduce the concept of true active usage: a methodology that correlates user behavior with license consumption at a granular level. This approach enables ITAM professionals to distinguish between passive access and actual, value-generating software interaction.
By tracking real-time user activity, measuring foreground application engagement, and identifying idle vs. active periods, organizations can develop an evidence-based strategy for optimizing license allocation, renewal planning, and vendor negotiations.
True Active Usage: Real World Examples
To contextualize this methodology, Linda will present two anonymized case studies illustrating how organizations operationalized true active usage insights to achieve measurable outcomes:
Strategic Cost Reduction Through Global Usage Visibility
A multinational enterprise faced escalating costs for high-end engineering software. Despite a large global entitlement pool, utilization patterns were unclear, and application licenses were often underleveraged.
Through true active usage analysis, the organization established a centralized view of usage across regions and teams. By isolating inactive sessions and automating license harvesting, they supported strategic vendor renegotiations. Within 12 months, they achieved a 39% cost reduction for one of their most expensive applications, while preserving business continuity and access for high-value users.
Seamless Software Access Across Different Regions
Another organization with a global user base experienced frequent abnormal license consumption even during periods of inactivity. The issue stemmed from nonproductive license holds—where users would retain licenses without active engagement.
By analyzing license usage data (session duration, activity rate, and user interaction depth), they identified low-efficiency usage patterns and restructured allocation policies. The result: optimized license distribution, improved access during peak hours, and enhanced return on existing entitlements.
Key Takeaways
Understand Consumption-Based Licensing
Gain a clear understanding of how modern consumption-based models work—and why they often shift financial risk from the vendor to the customer. This session will explore the mechanics behind these models, how costs are calculated, and what hidden inefficiencies may be baked into default usage metrics. Learn how to assess the real cost drivers behind your software portfolio and identify where overspending may be occurring.
Improve Visibility into Active Usage
Move beyond high-level metrics like license checkouts or login events. Discover how true active usage data provides granular visibility into how, when, and by whom software is being used, down to the minute. By identifying idle time, over-licensed applications, and underutilized tools, you can better align license allocation with actual user behavior and business needs.
Optimize Software Cost Management
Leverage active usage analytics to inform smarter budgeting, procurement, and renewal decisions. This session will showcase how organizations are using usage-based insights to rightsize entitlements, negotiate from a position of strength, and implement automated license harvesting strategies. The result: reduced waste, improved availability, and more predictable, sustainable cost control across high-value software assets.
About Linda Cole
With over 35 years of expertise in enterprise software license management, Linda Cole applies a rigorous, insight-driven methodology to solve real-world challenges in software asset management. Her strategic guidance has enabled clients to achieve measurable ROI, streamline licensing operations, and make informed decisions grounded in true usage intelligence.
Catch Linda Cole on April 24, 2025, from 11:15 AM to 12:15 PM, at Modena 3, The M Resort, Las Vegas.
And don’t forget to stop by Booth #42 to connect with the Open iT team and explore how advanced license usage analytics can help your organization optimize costs, improve operational transparency, and build resilient, future-ready SAM strategies.
See you at IAITAM ACE 2025!
