Snow License Manager

Basic Information

Snow License Manager (SLM) is a comprehensive Software Asset Management (SAM) tool designed to provide visibility, control, and optimization of an organization's software, SaaS, and IaaS assets.

• Model: Snow License Manager (SLM)
• Version: The latest stable version is 9.45.0, released on June 18, 2025, with General Availability (GA) on June 26, 2025. A new major version, 25.1.0, is targeted for release in Q3 2025 (September 2025).
• Release Date: Version 9.x was originally released in 2018. Version 9.45.0 was released on June 18, 2025.
• Minimum Requirements: Requires Microsoft Windows Server for server components and Microsoft SQL Server for the database. Specific hardware requirements scale with the number of inventoried devices.
• Supported Operating Systems: The server components run on Microsoft Windows Server. For inventory data collection and import, it supports a wide range of platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
• Latest Stable Version: 9.45.0 (as of June 2025). Version 25.1.0 is expected in Q3 2025.
• End of Support Date: Snow License Manager v9.x and earlier versions will reach End-of-Support (EOS) on March 31, 2026.
• End of Life Date: Snow License Manager v9.x and earlier versions will reach End-of-Life (EOL) on December 31, 2025. There are currently no plans to withdraw the on-premise solution of Snow License Manager.
• License Type: Supports various commercial licensing models, including complex metrics for vendors like Microsoft, Adobe, IBM PVU, Oracle, and SAP. Pricing is typically obtained by contacting sales.
• Deployment Model: Available as an on-premise solution and a Service Provider Edition (SPE). Snow Atlas serves as its SaaS alternative.

Technical Requirements

Snow License Manager's technical requirements are scalable, adapting to the size and complexity of the IT environment it manages.

• RAM: Varies significantly based on the number of inventoried devices. For a Snow License Manager server, 64 GB RAM is a typical requirement, while a dedicated SQL Server can require 128 GB RAM or more for larger environments.
• Processor: Processor requirements are dependent on the scale of the deployment. For a Snow License Manager server, a configuration like 1/8 CPU (referring to cores/threads) is noted, and for a SQL Server, 1/16 CPU. These are examples and scale with the number of inventoried client computers and mobile devices.
• Storage: Storage needs are substantial, especially for the database. An example configuration includes 128GB for the OS drive, 50GB for the application drive on the SLM server, and for the SQL Server, 128GB for OS, 256GB for TempDB, 50GB for Data, 500GB for Snow Inventory Database, 1TB for Snow License Manager Database, and 500GB for DB Logs. These figures are for specific server roles and scale with the environment size.
• Display: Standard display capabilities for accessing a web-based user interface.
• Ports: Standard network ports for web applications (HTTP/HTTPS) and database connectivity are implicitly required.
• Operating System:
  • Server OS: Microsoft Windows Server. Flexera supports Windows Server versions and editions that have not reached end of mainstream support or retirement. Installer support is available for Microsoft Windows Server 2025.
  • Database: Microsoft SQL Server. Supported versions are those not at end of mainstream support or retirement. SQL Server Enterprise is recommended for installations managing over 50,000 computers/devices, and Microsoft SQL Server Agent is required.
  • Other Software: Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7.2 or later, and Microsoft PowerShell 4.0 or later.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for Snow License Manager emphasize a robust Microsoft-centric infrastructure. The scalability of RAM, processor, and storage is critical, directly correlating with the volume of assets managed. Organizations must plan their server and database resources carefully, especially for large-scale deployments, to ensure optimal performance. The reliance on current Windows Server and SQL Server versions necessitates adherence to Microsoft's lifecycle policies for continued support and security.

Support & Compatibility

Snow License Manager offers broad compatibility for inventory data collection while maintaining a focused server-side environment.

• Latest Version: Version 9.45.0 is the current stable release, with version 25.1.0 anticipated in Q3 2025.
• OS Support: The core server components operate on Microsoft Windows Server. It supports inventorying and managing assets across diverse operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, Unix, iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
• End of Support Date: Older versions, specifically Snow License Manager v9.x and earlier, will cease to receive support on March 31, 2026.
• Localization: The system includes language settings for user accounts, indicating support for various locales.
• Available Drivers: As an enterprise software solution, traditional hardware drivers are not applicable. Instead, it integrates with various inventory sources and platforms to collect data.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Snow License Manager demonstrates strong compatibility for managing a heterogeneous IT environment, capable of collecting data from a wide array of operating systems. The upcoming transition to version 25.1.0 and the announced end-of-life/support dates for older 9.x versions indicate a clear product roadmap and a commitment to evolving the platform. Organizations must plan for upgrades to maintain full support and access to the latest features and security patches. The primary server infrastructure remains Windows-based, requiring organizations to maintain compatible Microsoft environments.

Security Status

Snow License Manager integrates various security measures to protect sensitive asset and licensing data.

• Security Features:
  • Ensures data integrity and confidentiality, preventing unauthorized access.
  • Utilizes modern security technologies and includes features for web application security, system and audit logging, network transport, endpoint security, and database security.
  • Implements role-based and user-level access control, defining access to functionality, object categories, and reports based on organizational structure.
  • Provides whitelisting and blacklisting capabilities to manage approved and prohibited software applications.
  • Offers native discovery and reporting of application patch versions to identify security risks.
  • Supports data encryption.
  • Renders user input as strings to prevent injection attacks (implemented in versions 9.40/9.41).
• Known Vulnerabilities:
  • Historically, blind SQL injection (CVE-2023-3864) affected SLM On-Premises/SPE versions 8.0.0 up to 9.30.1 (CVSS 7.2, high severity).
  • Cross-site scripting (CVE-2023-3937) was found in SLM On-Premises/SPE version 9.30.1 and earlier (CVSS 4.8, medium severity).
  • A data leakage vulnerability was identified in the Adobe connector in SPE 9.27.0.
  • Windows Unquoted/Trusted Service Paths Security Issues affected versions 9.x.x prior to 9.20.1.
  • Vulnerabilities have also been identified in the Snow Inventory Agent (e.g., CVE-2023-7169 and CVE-2024-1149 in versions prior to 7.0.0).
• Blacklist Status: Features whitelisting and blacklisting to identify and manage prohibited applications.
• Certifications: Snow Atlas, the SaaS alternative, has achieved ISO 27001 certification and completed SOC 2 Type 1 examination. Specific certifications for the on-premise Snow License Manager are not explicitly detailed.
• Encryption Support: Data encryption is a listed security consideration.
• Authentication Methods: Supports federated authentication via SAML 2.0 for Single Sign-On (SSO) and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with Identity Providers like AzureAD, OneLogin, and Okta. It also supports Windows Authentication and local user accounts. The API uses basic authentication, which requires SSL/TLS and HTTPS for secure transmission.
• General Recommendations: Regular upgrades to the latest versions are crucial to mitigate known vulnerabilities. Implementing SSL/TLS and HTTPS for all API communications is strongly recommended to protect credentials.

Analysis on Overall Security Rating

Snow License Manager provides a comprehensive suite of security features, including granular access controls, policy enforcement, and support for modern authentication standards like SAML. The vendor actively identifies and addresses vulnerabilities through updates. However, the presence of past high-severity vulnerabilities underscores the critical importance of maintaining the software with the latest patches and adhering to security best practices, such as securing API communications with SSL/TLS. The certifications for Snow Atlas suggest a strong security posture for the vendor's cloud offerings, which likely influences the on-premise product's security development.

Performance & Benchmarks

Snow License Manager is designed for scalability and continuous optimization, particularly in data processing and reporting.

• Benchmark Scores: Specific, publicly available benchmark scores are not provided.
• Real-world Performance Metrics:
  • Performance optimizations have been implemented for various reports, including the "All Computers" report and "Device/Computers per user" report.
  • The Data Update Job, especially when integrated with quarantine management, has seen performance improvements.
  • Snow Atlas, the SaaS alternative, offers near real-time data processing, addressing a common "pain point" associated with the batch-oriented Data Update Job in the on-premise Snow License Manager.
• Power Consumption: Not directly applicable to the software itself; power consumption is determined by the underlying server hardware and infrastructure.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly applicable to the software itself; depends on the efficiency of the deployed hardware and data center.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Snow License Manager is positioned as a highly scalable, multi-platform solution for software license optimization. Its performance characteristics are often implicitly compared to its SaaS counterpart, Snow Atlas, which offers advantages in real-time data processing and continuous feature updates. The solution aims to provide comprehensive visibility and optimization across desktop, datacenter, mobile, and cloud environments.

Analysis of Overall Performance Status

Snow License Manager is engineered to handle large enterprise IT estates, with a focus on scalability. While explicit benchmark figures are not publicly disclosed, the product documentation highlights ongoing efforts to enhance performance, particularly in areas like report generation and data processing. The distinction between the on-premise Data Update Job and Snow Atlas's near real-time processing suggests that organizations requiring immediate data insights might find the SaaS offering more aligned with their performance needs. For on-premise deployments, performance is heavily influenced by the underlying hardware and database configuration, necessitating careful resource allocation based on the scale of the environment.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback for Snow License Manager generally highlights its effectiveness in managing complex software licensing environments, with some areas for improvement.

• Strengths:
  • Provides comprehensive visibility into software assets, usage, and entitlements, enabling organizations to gain an accurate view of their IT estate.
  • Effectively reduces costs and minimizes compliance risks by optimizing license positions.
  • Simplifies the management of complex datacenter licensing models, including those from IBM, Oracle, and SAP, by automatically calculating compliance.
  • Automates compliance calculations and identifies opportunities for license optimization and re-harvesting of unused software.
  • Offers a unified view of cloud, on-premise, mobile, and datacenter assets through a single interface.
  • Features customizable dashboards and reporting tools that cater to various stakeholders, including IT, finance, and procurement.
  • The unique Software Recognition Service accurately identifies and classifies a vast number of applications.
  • Aids significantly in audit preparedness by providing an effective license position and tracking entitlements.
  • Automates the discovery of hardware and software assets across multi-platform networks.
• Weaknesses:
  • The announcement of End-of-Life and End-of-Support for older 9.x versions necessitates mandatory upgrades, which can be a significant undertaking for some organizations.
  • The batch-oriented nature of the Data Update Job in the on-premise version can be a "pain point" for users desiring more real-time data processing, a feature offered by the SaaS alternative, Snow Atlas.
  • Specific pricing details are not transparently published, requiring direct engagement with sales.
  • Past vulnerabilities in certain versions highlight the ongoing need for diligent patching and updates.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Core Software Asset Management (SAM) functions, including compliance tracking and optimization.
  • Tracking license entitlements and usage in public cloud environments to reduce audit risk.
  • Establishing and maintaining an accurate Effective License Position (ELP) for various software vendors.
  • Preparing for software license audits.
  • Optimizing software licensing to reduce overall IT expenditure.
  • Managing complex datacenter licensing scenarios.
  • Automating the discovery and inventory of hardware and software assets across the IT estate.
  • Identifying and re-harvesting unused software installations and cloud subscriptions.

Summary

Snow License Manager is a robust and highly scalable enterprise solution for Software Asset Management, serving as a central hub for managing an organization's diverse IT assets. Its primary strength lies in providing comprehensive visibility across on-premise, datacenter, mobile, and cloud environments, enabling organizations to achieve and maintain license compliance, reduce costs, and mitigate audit risks. The platform excels at simplifying complex licensing models from major vendors and offers powerful automation for discovery, inventory, and optimization tasks. Customizable dashboards and reporting tools cater to various stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making.

Key strengths include its ability to automatically calculate compliance positions, identify unused software for re-harvesting, and provide a unified view of assets and entitlements. The Software Recognition Service is a significant advantage, ensuring accurate identification of applications. However, a notable weakness for on-premise users is the batch processing nature of its Data Update Job, which can limit real-time insights compared to its SaaS counterpart, Snow Atlas. Additionally, the necessity to upgrade from older versions (9.x and earlier) due to upcoming end-of-life and end-of-support dates requires proactive planning from customers. While the product incorporates strong security features and authentication methods, the history of identified vulnerabilities underscores the importance of timely updates and adherence to recommended security practices.

Overall, Snow License Manager is a critical tool for organizations seeking to optimize their software investments and ensure compliance in increasingly complex IT landscapes. Its extensive feature set makes it suitable for large enterprises with diverse software portfolios and multi-platform environments. For those prioritizing real-time data processing and continuous feature delivery without managing underlying infrastructure, the Snow Atlas SaaS offering presents a compelling alternative.

Information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.