Integrating Barcode Scanning with BMC Remedy Asset Management
For most organizations today, there is in place some sort of IT Asset Management systems and/or policies. The key to an effective Asset Management implementation is the accuracy of the Asset Data that is inputted into the CMDB (Configuration Management Database). Many Asset Management systems rely exclusively on Auto-discovery as the method to identify assets. The problem with this is that many assets may not be in the network and will not be included into the CMDB.
The accuracy of an organization’s CMDB is truly become a daunting task. There are many non-networked assets of value that need to be included into an organization CMDB for Asset Management to be effective. These non-networked assets may include, PDAs, cell phones, Blackberry phones, notebook / laptop computers, scanners, printers, supplies, spare parts, as well as, mobile computing resources that are used by telecommuting employees. Many of these items above fall outside of the auto-discovery reach, thus are not included in the CMDB.
Since non-discoverable and mobile assets can be over 20% of an organization’s total asset population, a regular physical inventory is required to ensure the integrity of the CMDB. This is extremely labor intensive and prone to human error. For an effective Asset Management system to be in place, Auto-discovery tools are not enough. A successful asset management process must include all assets, not just those connected to a network, especially the mobile computing assets.
Barcode scanning provides a reliable method of ensuring database integrity, especially among mobile assets and assets that are not easily discoverable. Today, barcodes are on just about everything manufactured and are used for asset tracking and identification in most businesses. Bar-coding should be used whenever there is a need to accurately identify or track something. With barcode scanning an organization can receive or verify inventory by scanning the applicable asset barcode and physically entering the location into the barcode scanner. Then inventory, location, and client data can be uploaded to store and synchronize with the CMDB for automatic inventory and asset reconciliation. Communication with the mobile barcode scanners is achieved via wireless local area networks, or by direct connection to the network via Scanner Cradles. The use of barcode scanning integrated into an organization Asset Management Systems will reduce the time required to verify and reconcile inventory.
Once the barcode scanning has been integrated into an organization’s CMDB, after the intial scanning effort is done, the CMDB could be 100% accurate. In order for the CMDB to remain accurate, a Barcode Strategy must be in place. Strategies may include an annual wall to wall inventory, to monthly inventory checks with new and out of service items, to daily scans of all new assets, with decommissioned asset being removed from the CMDB.
Peningo Systems Consultants have designed solutions and integrated custom barcode scanning systems with BMC Remedy Asset Management systems. Should your organization be looking to improve your existing Asset Management Systems with Barcode Scanning, please consider Peningo Systems as a resource for your Remedy Asset Management / Barcode Scanning system integration. Peningo Systems has the resources with the expertise in integrating barcode scanning with Asset Management, as well as, expertise in developing Barcode Scanning policies for continued accuracy of a CMDB.
If you are looking to implement a Best Practice approach for Asset Management and ITIL Configuration Management, please click the link for a white paper published by BMC. This is an excellent resource for any IT Manager looking to improve their Asset Management and Configuration Management procedures:
BMC® Best Practice Process Flows for Asset Management and ITIL Configuration Management
Below is a link to an article published by BMC in “Viewpoint, Focus on CMDB”
Barcode Scanning and the Physical Model
If you are an “End Client” looking for IT Consulting Service providers to support your Applications, Peningo Systems provides Consultants with expertise in many areas including:
- WebSphere Portal
- Tivoli Consultants
- WebSphere Commerce
- WebSphere Eclipse Development
- WebSphere MQ
- System Security Architecture
- Tivoli Access Manager
- Tivoli Identity Manager
- Tivoli Storage Manager
- DB2 – UDB,
- SAP,
- Remedy
- Peregrine / HP Openview AssetCenter and ServiceCenter
- J2EE based systems architecture and development.
To see Peningo Systems areas of expertise, please go to the Peningo Technical Areas page or go to the Peningo Remedy Consultants page .