A computer-implemented method for using tags to manage software across a product life cycle, including storing by a server computer (i) a tag prototype database and (ii) a tag instance database, the method including the steps of creating a tag for a client software component, storing the tag in the tag instance database, receiving, by a client computer, the tag and the client software component, from an electronic software distribution computer, receiving a request from the client computer to initiate a session of the client software component, obtaining the tag, by the server computer, from the client computer, verifying the tag obtained from the client computer, updating the tag to include information about the session, and replacing the tag in the client computer with the updated tag.