Software asset management typically refers to the tracking and management of computer software installed on a computer system for the purposes of keeping the computer software up to date, identifying conflicts, managing software licenses, and tracking software usage. Software asset management solutions are typically employed in large organizations where numerous packages of computer software are deployed to a multitude of computer systems in a networked environment.

A signature file is often used to detect software installed on a computer system. Quite frequently, this signature file is just a text file that is dropped down on to (e.g., installed on) the computer system during installation to identify the software. Unfortunately, these signature files are often dropped down in error. Additionally, these signature files, even when dropped correctly, are not removed when a software decommissioning process for a desired software application is complete. A software scan will then report the software as installed. In reality, the software may not be on the system at all, and only the signature file is resident. As such, identifying software decommission candidates (potentially uninstalled and unused software application/components) becomes extremely difficult and challenging and may result in unintended/unnecessary payment of software license royalties to external vendors on unnecessary licensing related to these uninstalled/unused software components.