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Software is considered "authorized" to be used if/when it meets the following criteria:
 

1. It is an MSL application ...AND...

2. It was automatically discovered as a rogue installation ...OR...

3. It was requested and approved through the Software Request Portal ... OR ...

4. It was auto-authorized through status-driven authorization or Configuration Item-driven authorization ... OR ...

5. It was authorized through the bulk authorization process ... OR ...

6. A new user was added to a group to which an authorization had been granted.

 

Note: The MSL item does not necessarily have to be physically installed for an authorization to exist.  If an authorization exists, it means that the MSL item may be installed or used with no further need of request/approval.  For authorizations that have been assigned to physical assets, the MIE does provide auto-harvest capability for authorized MSL items that have not been "seen" by autodiscovery to be physically on the asset within a given time frame.  Auto-harvest, if used, will remove the authorization automatically and, if the authorization had been covered by a license, will return the license to the unallocated pool for future use.
 

Note: The thought of an MSL item being "authorized" upon detection (without having first gone through the proper request and approval cycle) may, at first, seem counterintuitive.  However, remember that during a software audit, the existence of a software package on any organizational asset implies that the instance is authorized and requires a license.  Therefore, it is critical that any effective SLM program adhere to the same assumptions and guidelines.  Accordingly, the MIE will produce a charge for the software upon detection, which will ensure the detected MSL item will get proper MSL license coverage.  Since the software is on the machine, the MIE considers request/approval mute at that point and assumes the proper approval happened using some other means.