What does the concept of true-up in software licenses refer to?

The concept of true-up in software licenses refers specifically to an audit process that reconciles actual software usage with the licensed entitlements. This is a critical practice in Software Asset Management (SAM), as it ensures that an organization is compliant with its licensing agreements and that the number of licenses used aligns with what has been purchased.

During a true-up, organizations review their software deployment and usage data to determine if they have exceeded or are underutilizing their licenses. If they find that they are not compliant due to excess usage, they may need to acquire additional licenses. Conversely, if they find they have too many licenses for their actual usage, they can adjust their procurement strategies accordingly. This process helps organizations avoid potential legal issues from non-compliance and optimize their software expenses by managing their licenses effectively.

The other options revolve around different aspects of software management but do not capture the essence of true-up. Acquiring new software, improving performance, and enhancing interfaces are not related to the compliance and reconciliation aspect that true-up specifically addresses.