What does the discovery tool in ServiceNow primarily do?

The discovery tool in ServiceNow primarily identifies and recognizes software applications and features installed on devices within an organization's network. This automated process gathers crucial information about the software assets, including their versions and licenses, which helps organizations maintain an accurate inventory of their software landscape.

By recognizing the software present on devices, the discovery tool plays a vital role in ensuring compliance with software licensing agreements and helps in understanding software usage details. This functionality also assists in identifying unauthorized software installations, supporting overall software asset management and governance efforts.

The other options focus on different aspects of software asset management that the discovery tool does not directly address. For instance, managing procurement processes, negotiating with vendors, and tracking asset depreciation involve strategic management and financial aspects rather than the technical discovery of software assets within the environment. The primary purpose of the discovery tool is to provide visibility into what software is being used, which directly aligns with recognizing and cataloging software on devices.