a method for performing software discovery by an installer controller is provided and may include detecting , at a computer , an attempt by a software installer to execute on the computer , wherein during execution , the software installer modifies software on the computer . a software asset management computer server may be queried for an approval status corresponding to a software package provided by the software installer . the installer controller executes the software installer upon receiving on the returned approval status ; aggregates a result from the execution of the software installer based on the software installer modifying the software on the computer ; and updates a discovery software signature on the computer when the returned approval status is marked as known .