Discovery models are automatically generated when a discovery source, such as ServiceNow Discovery or a third-party integration like SCCM, identifies a new software installation on a configuration item (CI). When a software installation record is created, the system checks for an existing discovery model that matches the discovered publisher, product, and version. If no matching model is found, a new discovery model is automatically created. This process is a fundamental part of software normalization, which standardizes discovered software data for effective asset management.

A. Manually created: While it is possible to manually create discovery models for software that cannot be discovered, this is a secondary method and not the primary way they are generated.
C. When SAM Plugin is enabled: Enabling the Software Asset Management (SAM) plugin sets up the necessary tables and functionality, but it does not create any discovery models. Models are created based on data gathered after the plugin is active and discovery runs.

1. ServiceNow Product Documentation - Discovery models: "Discovery models are automatically created during the discovery process when a new software is found on a device. Discovery models are also created when software installation data is imported." (ServiceNow Product Documentation, Vancouver Release, Software Asset Management, Discovery models, Section: Discovery model creation).

2. ServiceNow Product Documentation - Software normalization process: "When software is discovered, a discovery model is created from the software installation record. The discovery model represents the software that is installed on a device." (ServiceNow Product Documentation, Vancouver Release, Software Asset Management, Software normalization, Section: Normalization process).

3. ServiceNow Product Documentation - Create a discovery model: This document outlines the steps for manual creation, stating its use case is for "software that is not discoverable." This confirms that manual creation is an exception, not the primary rule. (ServiceNow Product Documentation, Vancouver Release, Software Asset Management, Create a discovery model).