IT Inventory and Resource Management on Steroids - GLPI
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Right on the main page of OCS Inventory NG you can read the recommendation of the authors that you should couple its power with a free IT and asset management application such as GLPI. The way OCS Inventory NG’s database works is open-source and, thus, a lot of possibilities were left open for the community. Lots of people created custom modules via the OCS API, built upon its schema, and so forth.
GLPI is probably the best IT asset management suite that offers not only inventory but also assistance (tracking) functions. As per its architecture, it can import the data collected and stored within an OCS Inventory NG centralized management server. And the beauty of GLPI is that its GUI is really advanced. Users can also post ticket requests, while technicians can solve their issues; but, of course, administrators have the full right to do practically anything, such as reconfigure the system, create reports, etc.
Now let’s enumerate some of the new features with which IT inventory and asset management of your company is enhanced. These features include a multiple authentication system (local, LDAP, active directory, POP/IMAP, CAS), permissions and profiles system, support for multi-language management (22 languages at the time of writing), search module, exporting in PDF, CSV, and SLK, saving/restoring to SQL format, exporting the content of the database in XML format, UTF8 interface, and an updates check system.
Administrators can also manually add new systems without the need for additional agents. You may set up for an upcoming system, virtual systems, or to-be-built PCs. It’s quite amazing that the close relationship within usernames (within a domain) or profiles, their computers (on which they log on), along with their monitor, and the devices that they frequently connect to, is also stored in the inventory and accesses via the easily configurable web interface. Everything works seamlessly.
The same goes for software management. Expiration date management is also possible, as well as monitoring the leftover licenses as per individual products and/or suites. Commercial and financial information can also be managed (purchases, warranties, consumables, etc.). In case of repairs (such as hardware), you can actively record the status of the activities and their progress. Admins can edit everything via the GUI.
As I mentioned earlier, users can open requests (tickets) via the web interface or email. Technicians and administrators are able to track the progress of each ticket, manage the inventory (read as: John Doe, from the second floor at the R&D division, fourth cubicle on the right, requests a new USB mouse), assign interventions, and ultimately finish (close), or re-open if need be, the ticket. Priorities can also be assigned (high/low/etc).
Generating reports and statistics is critical within an organization. You can create these reports by months, year, or total. There are various categories, priorities, users, hardware, and other type of reports. Management of authorized documents, contracts such as loaning, hiring, leasing and insurances, and direct connections with suppliers, conveyors, and such are also possible via the system. Like we said, it’s truly complete.
And finally, you can create articles and publish them via the Knowledge Base of the company that can be reached within this inventory and asset management System. This means the technicians or admins can write public FAQs about the usage of software applications (such as using the inventory system per se or posting tickets/requests, etc.). But you can also publish important documents for employees.
Next: Final Thoughts >>
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