--- sourceDocument: Australia IT Service Management sourceDocumentLink: https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/r/it-service-management Release : - australia ft:locale : - en-US ft:publication_title : - Australia IT Service Management ft:clusterId : - itsm bundleId : - itsm workflow : - Technology --- # Software discovery models in the legacy Software Asset Management plugin # Software discovery models in the legacy Software Asset Management plugin {#ariaid-title1} Release version: Australia Updated March 12, 2026 ![](https://www.servicenow.com/docs/portal-asset/ico-clock) 1 minute to read Software discovery models in the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin can be used to help normalize the software you own by analyzing and classifying models to reduce duplication. Software discovery models are stored in the Software Discovery Model \[cmdb_sam_sw_discovery_model\] table. There is a distinct difference between software models and software discovery models. * A software model is a specific version or configuration of software. * A software discovery model is a model created when Discovery runs and identifies software. {#c_UsingSoftwareDiscoveryModels__ul_fqn_m55_hp} Software discovery models cannot be created manually. The ServiceNow platform uses any of the following field combinations to match the new software discovery model to an existing software model. * Display Name, Publisher, and Version * Display Name and Version if the Publisher field is empty * Display Name only if the Publisher and Version fields are empty {#c_UsingSoftwareDiscoveryModels__ul_hms_s55_hp} When analyzing version numbers, the ServiceNow platform always searches for an exact match first, but rounds down to a major version number if an exact match is not found. For example, if no match is found for version number 8.0.4, but version 8.0 is found, then version 8.0 is used in the Software model field. * **[Edit a software discovery model using the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/jLzNIfiqlWjwvmCwpt5MJA)** You can edit only the Software model field and Approved check box on the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin Software Discovery Models form. * **[Automatically match to an existing model using the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/kGH7FVXUFpjXQbJXB0xZRQ)** The automatic matching feature in the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin allows you to match a software discovery model to an existing software model. * **[Create new models using the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/DNsc9mMxMRhp~YwlGgEoIg)** If the automatically generated software model is not correct or if the system cannot find a match from existing models, you can create a new model using the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin. **Related concepts** * [Legacy Software Asset Management plugin Overview module](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/QXVLbVrl4XlKJIve9lwakQ "The Overview module for the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin is a homepage that displays various software asset management reports.") * [Legacy Software Asset Management plugin setup process](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/sVO99TX3jE8kBkOETYJbCA "To get started with the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin, you need to identify and discover software owned, create software models, create license records, and configure software counters.") * [Determine where software is installed using the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/A6~cX8KA2lnXeVzclofIiQ "When using the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin to determine where your software is installed, you must keep the following points in mind.") * [Software licenses in the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/qduUcv2gS_IKiOJ66qX~kA "Software licenses are based on models that are defined through the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin.") * [License calculations with the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/EcghOsl~pnJaFs9XgW6v9w "Software license calculations with the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin count the number of licenses that exist in your network environment.") * [Legacy Software License Compliance Checker](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/bbToIS2e9OHU4RjW4XiL1A "The Software License Compliance Checker that is included in the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin is a fast way to see if the software licenses used in your organization are compliant based on number of rights purchased and number of installations.") * [Software license reconciliation counters for the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/A2m5ZzDE0r9kb1pdVvjW5A "Software counters for the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin reconcile software rights with software installations to verify compliance.") * [Legacy IBM PVU Process Pack](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/fTSjAteDYx~E3oXL5g_e4A "Processor Value Unit (PVU) is a unit of measurement defined by IBM to determine software licensing costs based on processor or server model.") * [Software contracts for the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/dwxhXQk9LxI3TjTT7K~GTw "A software contract is a binding agreement between the owner of a software product and a buyer. The contract enables the buyer to use the software legally.") * [Legacy Oracle process pack](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/5yZUUJqmIm5GwhXRdEwCPg "The legacy Oracle process pack is an add-on to the legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin that provides the ability to manage software licensed under the Oracle licensing model.") **Related tasks** * [Manage software models using the legacy Software Asset Management plugin](https://servicenow-prod.fluidtopics.net/QMb8njfi4OlJXzq23FVgMA "The legacy Software Asset Management (com.snc.software_asset_management) plugin uses software models to manage licenses, specifically in software counters and license restrictions, and to track upgrade and downgrade licenses.")