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Activity for Microsoft applications on devices

Microsoft optimization requires collection of user activity in applications installed on devices, to complement activity collected by the Microsoft 365 connector and the browser extension for SaaS versions of Microsoft applications.

Microsoft offers multiple applications and application bundles, some as SaaS applications, and some as applications installed on devices, such as computers. The Microsoft 365 connector collects information on your subscriptions, users, and user activity in Microsoft 365 SaaS applications. The Browser extension for SaaS or Agent-based browser extensions complements the connector data with collection of user activity in Microsoft's SaaS applications.

The user activity in Microsoft applications installed on devices must be gathered from the users' devices. This is applicable to the following Microsoft applications:

  • Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise

    This is an application bundle that includes local installations of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneDrive, and Teams.

  • Microsoft Project installed locally

    Activity for the cloud-based version of Microsoft Project is collected through the browser extension.

  • Microsoft Visio Plan 2

    Activity for Visio Plan 1 is collected through the browser extension.

  • Microsoft Dynamics 365

If you have these applications installed in your IT estate, you must connect to a discovery source that collects their user activity. This is a prerequisite for accurate usage metrics, subscription optimization, and insights. For more information on collection of user activity in Microsoft applications installed on devices, see Device application usage. For more information on discovery sources, see SaaS discovery.

note

Activity for Power BI is collected through the Microsoft 365 connector and the browser extension, but activity for Power BI Pro specifically, is not possible to collect from any source.