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IBM License Metric Tool

ibm.com

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Spec score 8.1 #5 of 19 in Software Licensing Management Software

What it is

IBM License Metric Tool inventories IBM software measured by processor core and measures required licenses in full-capacity and virtualization sub-capacity environments. IBM recommends it for full-capacity licensing and requires it for sub-capacity licensing. It scans infrastructure for installed IBM software and version details that can support version management and security patching. For sub-capacity use, it produces audit reports, tracks license utilization thresholds, and sends email notifications when thresholds approach or exceed their limits. Installation options are License Metric Tool Lite, License Metric Tool with Ansible, and License Metric Tool with BigFix. It integrates with BigFix and provides a REST API for external systems, which must retrieve data through the API rather than directly from the database. The tool is free, with a listed price of free; customers supply hardware and installation services. Linux installations require DB2, included at no charge for use only with the tool. Windows installations require a customer-provided MS SQL Server instance; MS SQL Server Express is supported for environments under 500 endpoints. Sub-capacity audit snapshots must be generated quarterly and kept for at least two years.

Spec sheet

Purpose
The tool inventories core-based software in full-capacity and virtualization sub-capacity environments and measures required product licenses.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Integrations
The tool integrates with BigFix and provides a REST API for external systems; data must be retrieved through the API rather than directly from its database.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Audit retention
For sub-capacity compliance, audit snapshots must be generated quarterly and stored for at least two years.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Container and Kubernetes scope
The tool can discover software in Docker and Podman containers under stated scanning conditions, but IBM says to use IBM License Service for software running on Kubernetes or Red Hat OpenShift.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Database requirements
A Linux server installation requires DB2, which is included at no charge for use only with the tool; a Windows installation requires the customer’s own MS SQL Server instance, with MS SQL Server Express supported for environments under 500 endpoints.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Discovery
It scans infrastructure to identify installed IBM software and report version details useful for version management and security patching.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Install options
The three installation modes are License Metric Tool Lite, License Metric Tool with Ansible, and License Metric Tool with BigFix.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Licensing role
IBM recommends the tool for full-capacity licensing and requires it for sub-capacity licensing.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Reports and alerts
It provides sub-capacity audit reports, license utilization thresholds, and email notifications when thresholds are approached or exceeded.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Security and data handling
It collects hardware and software data needed to identify IBM software and license metric use; data is sent externally only when IBM Software Central integration is configured, and then on demand.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Setup deadline
Customers must install and begin using the tool within 90 days of deploying their first eligible sub-capacity product.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Support limitation
IBM support covers the disconnected scanners and tool server, but not the Ansible platform itself.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com
Update cadence
IBM says the tool is updated quarterly and advises customers to use the latest version.Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com

Plans and prices

IBM License Metric Tool Free Download from Passport Advantage · Customers supply hardware and installation services Read 8 Oct 2026 · ibm.com

Every IBM License Metric Tool plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free plan listed at free
  • Scans for installed IBM software and version details
  • Sub-capacity reports and threshold email alerts
  • Three installation modes are available

Limits

  • Sub-capacity audit snapshots require quarterly generation
  • Snapshots must be retained for at least two years
  • Windows requires a customer-provided MS SQL Server
  • IBM support does not cover the Ansible platform

Who it suits

It suits organizations managing IBM software license requirements, particularly those using virtualization sub-capacity licensing. It is deployed on premises and requires customers to provide hardware and installation services.

Verdict

The tool combines IBM software discovery with license measurement and compliance reporting. Before adopting it, account for the 90-day setup deadline after the first eligible sub-capacity deployment, database requirements, and audit-retention duties.

Where Specifiction places it

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