Unlocking Software Efficiency with Software Metering in Microsoft Intune

For most IT teams, managing software usage across hundreds or even thousands of devices has become increasingly complex. Between rising licensing costs, compliance pressures, and the constant introduction of new applications, gaining a clear view of what’s actually being used and by whom isn’t always straightforward.

Microsoft Intune has become the go-to tool for modern device management, offering visibility, security, and control. However, while it’s excellent at managing endpoints and enforcing policies, it doesn’t currently provide full software metering capabilities. That means many businesses are still missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: understanding how often applications are being used, where licenses are being wasted, and where optimisation opportunities lie.

Previously, SCCM (System Centre Configuration Manager), also known as Config Manager, offered robust software metering features, helping businesses track software usage and license consumption. With the shift to Intune, companies are left wondering what to do next, as Intune doesn’t provide the same capabilities. This leaves a gap in visibility that many businesses need to bridge in order to optimise their software and manage costs effectively.

That’s where software metering comes in.

Why visibility into software usage is the key to control

Software metering gives IT teams the ability to monitor real usage across their organisation. It tells you not just what software is installed, but how frequently it’s opened, by which users, and for how long.

Without this visibility, organisations can easily overspend on unused software or miss compliance gaps that create unnecessary risk. It’s not uncommon for IT teams to discover they’re paying for dozens of licenses that haven’t been touched in months, or that essential software is being used on unapproved devices.

With accurate usage data, these problems can be solved before they even surface. You can identify inactive applications, right-size licenses, and make smarter procurement decisions that cut waste and improve governance.

The challenges for Intune users 

For Intune users, the lack of built-in software metering creates a visibility gap. You can see what software is deployed, but not how it’s used.

That gap makes it difficult to:

• Track whether applications are still delivering value
• Identify redundant tools across teams or departments
• Detect compliance issues caused by under- or over-licensing
• Justify renewal costs or vendor spend

IT teams often find themselves relying on manual checks, user surveys, or expensive third-party audits to get the data they need. All of these approaches take time and don’t scale well.

Adding software metering capabilities back into Intune

At Eido, we’ve developed a way to bring back the power of software metering, without the need for additional agents or complex deployments.

Using lightweight PowerShell scripts that integrate directly with Intune, Eido’s approach lets teams capture usage data securely and automatically. You’ll be able to see:

• Which applications are used and how often
• When they were last opened
• Which devices or users are the most active
• Where licenses could be reclaimed or reallocated

What you can do with Intune metering data

Once you have that visibility, optimisation becomes straightforward. You can:

• Cut unnecessary costs by identifying unused software and reclaiming licenses
• Improve compliance with accurate records of who is using what
• Plan smarter renewals based on data rather than estimates
• Understand productivity trends by seeing which tools are driving daily workflows

With Eido’s solution, all of this happens seamlessly within your Intune environment. No agents, no new infrastructure, and no disruption to end users.

Why every IT team needs usage data in 2025

The shift to remote and hybrid working, combined with BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policies, has made software metering more difficult than ever. Unlike when everyone was using company-managed devices in the office, teams are now adopting new cloud-based tools at record speed, often without full oversight from IT. This leads to software sprawl, overlapping tools, duplicate costs, and compliance risks that can easily go unnoticed.

Software metering helps organisations take back control. It’s not just cost reduction but having the insight you need to make informed, strategic decisions about your technology stack.

See how software metering works inside Intune

If you’re currently using Intune and want to see how software metering can help you close the visibility gap, we’d be happy to show you how it works in practice.

Book a short demo with our team to see how usage data can help you optimise your software estate, improve compliance, and make smarter decisions about the tools your teams actually use.

How does it work?

Our software metering capability is agent-less, requiring only a simple PowerShell script to be deployed to your devices (this can be done as a Platform Script via Intune or using your preferred method). The script creates a scheduled task that sends application usage data back to Eido every 2 hours. The solution is lightweight and efficient, as it only collects data on when each metered app is opened and closed. It’s also transparent - the script runs without impacting your system's performance.

For more technical details, visit our Software Metering Support Page.