Configuration Manager Asset Intelligence Datasheet.pdf

Microsoft® System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Asset Intelligence

Translates inventory data into information, providing rich reports that help you optimize software and hardware usage and includes a “live” connection to dynamically update your knowledge based on changing asset conditions Information technology expenditures comprise an increasing portion of IT budgets—IT assets can often account for more than half of an enterprise’s total asset base. With the changing nature of today’s technology and the complexity of network environments, enterprises find it difficult to track the IT assets they own. Without an accurate record of their IT assets, it is impossible for enterprises to determine if IT is providing value and to meet financial, regulatory and license compliance requirements. ®

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 includes hardware and software inventory and software metering capabilities that help IT organizations understand exactly what hardware and software assets they have, who is using them, and where they are. Asset Intelligence translates the inventory data into information, providing rich reports that IT administrators can use to optimize hardware and software usage. This information is paramount to organizations planning their Windows Vista upgrade strategy. With Configuration Manager 2007, companies can make informed decisions about their IT assets, improve IT operations and mitigate compliance risks. Asset Intelligence Asset Intelligence gives a clear picture of IT assets by providing comprehensive identification and categorization of the servers, desktops, laptops, mobile devices and software installed across both physical and virtual environments. A “live”

connection enables Asset Intelligence to indentify new and changing systems and dynamically update IT administrator knowledge based on the changes. Through the new Internet Based Client Management (IBCM) feature, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 enables secure updates of inventory information for devices that seldom or intermittently connect to the corporate network. By providing an accurate picture of their network infrastructure, Configuration Manager 2007 helps IT organizations manage the entire IT asset lifecycle, facilitating support, upgrade and migration planning, software consolidation, license reconciliation and more. Standards-based Hardware Inventory

With System Center Configuration Manager 2007, IT administrators can collect a wide variety of information about the computers and mobile devices on their network such as memory, operating system, peripherals, and services that are running on the computer. They can also get a view into portable devices within their organization through details about USB devices connected to PCs across their network. Powerful tracking functionality in Asset Intelligence allows IT administrators to track each user that has logged onto a machine and their login time. Based on this information, they can run a report that indicates to whom the asset belongs (based on login activity), streamlining management of the device.

By utilizing Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), Configuration Manager 2007 provides improved clientside performance during inventory scans and a rich set of inventory data reporting on approximately 1,500 hardware properties. IT administrators can also extend hardware inventory by inventorying additional WMI classes, registry keys, and other customizations to accommodate their organization's requirements. With new asset change summarization, Configuration Manager 2007 provides a summary of changes to computer assets. This keeps IT administrators abreast of the recent modifications to their network and reduces the complexity of asset management by letting them manage only the deltas when appropriate. Comprehensive Software Inventory The software inventory feature of System Center Configuration Manager 2007 tracks nearly all the software assets on a network, providing comprehensive details about both physical and virtual applications installed across an enterprise. An extensive software knowledge base of more than 400,000 categorized applications let IT administrators view details about nearly every application in their environment. Asset Intelligence in Configuration Manager 2007 attaches meaningful business terminology to inventory information, helping IT administrators determine how software was installed (individually or from suites), how users access the applications (shortcuts, auto-

start, etc.), how often the applications are used and whether the application is in a physical or virtual environment. New identification and categorization capabilities classify installed software for easier tracking and management. Configuration Manager 2007 helps IT organizations prioritize their software asset management efforts and reduces costs by giving them better control over software assets. Software Metering Administrators can also monitor physical and virtual application usage with System Center Configuration Manager 2007, reducing support and licensing costs by identifying unused or underused applications. Using software metering, IT administrators can collect detailed information such as program and usage information, user name, file description, start time, and end time for the applications they choose to monitor. The rich inventory and usage tracking capabilities of Configuration Manager 2007 provide an excellent planning tool in the application deployment process. Equipped with information such as the number of Microsoft Office 2003 installations and usage metrics in the sales and marketing department, enterprises can make informed decisions on issues such as "how many copies of Office 2007 are needed in sales and marketing," potentially decreasing purchasing costs. Effective License Management With the wide range of applications in the enterprise, staying compliant with licensing requirements is a complicated

© 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication. The information represents the product at the time this document was printed and should be used for planning purposes only. Information subject to change at any time without prior notice. This data sheet is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, Active Directory, Windows, the Windows logo, and Windows Server System are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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task. System Center Configuration Manager 2007 enables simplified license compliance tracking by monitoring concurrent application usage, arming enterprises with the information they need to make educated licensing decisions. Integrated Microsoft license usage reporting & reconciliation provides additional licensing details for Microsoft products such as summary reports on Client Access License (CAL) usage for Windows Server and Exchange. Configuration Manager 2007 also helps IT administrators distinguish between different license types such as OEM, volume license and retail licenses. Integrated Customizable Web Reporting To ensure that the rich inventory and usage tracking information is easily accessible and relevant to the business, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 includes a robust, highly flexible, and fully extensible Web reporting engine, with over 300 customizable reports available out of the box. Instant queries and drill-down capabilities let IT administrators zero-in on specific details such as viewing on what computers an executable has been recently used, or what specific changes have occurred on a hardware device. By providing a comprehensive view of the IT assets in an enterprise, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 helps maximize the investment in hardware and software while controlling costs, improving manageability of the IT asset lifecycle and ensuring software license compliance.