Patent ID: 6029145
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G06F,G06Q

Abstract:
Apparatus for proprietary product usage verification and reporting at plural, discrete computer sites, the apparatus comprising:a central computer for communicating with the plural discrete computer sites which are remote to the central computer;each computer site including:a. a memory and at least one proprietary product stored in the memory;b. a monitoring program that monitors usage of the at least one proprietary product at the discrete computer sites; andc. a reporting program that transmits, to said central computer, a local report which quantifies the usage of the at least one proprietary product at the discrete computer site;said central computer including:a correlating program which receives the local reports from the plural discrete computer sites and collates and orders information in the local reports into data packets formed on the basis of vendors of the at least one proprietary product; anda central reporting program for communicating with vendors and reporting to vendors usage of proprietary products at the plural discrete computer sites which are licensed by the vendors.