Storage managers are used in data storage management systems for license distribution, compliance, and updates. A licensed quota is managed at an aggregate level applicable to a collective plurality of storage operation cells and not by licensing each individual storage operation cell. A multi-cell environment belonging to a given customer is licensed by using an enhanced storage manager in each cell. One storage manager is a “license server” to the other storage managers or “child licensees.” A licensor issues a global license to the customer's designated license server, which distributes child licenses and manages other licensing aspects. Rather than licensing usage for individual storage operation cells, licensed usage is managed at an aggregate level using the license server and child licensees in a “self-service” model.