SOLUTION
We offer implementation of resources inventory and software distribution system based on Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and VMware vCenter Configuration Manager. Such comprehensive system requires diligent and considered configuring performed by skilled specialists for each specific task.
This solution allows:
- Using advantages of software distribution centralized management.
- Keeping count and control of software licenses usage.
- Using advanced capabilities for software update management.
- Carrying out automated inventory of IT-hardware and software at any time.
- Getting information about software usage in the company.
- Using customized reports system and notifications about status of all the computers in the company.
- Providing users with self-service portal for installation of permitted applications without engaging help desk.
The complexity of offered solution depends on many factors: number of devices being managed; existence of company branches integrated into global network infrastructure; quality and capacity of communication channels between distributed network nodes; system use cases.
Let’s consider as an example large company having distributed network of branches interacting via dedicated channels. Each branch has its own local network with different number of users. In order that the offered solution work in the most efficient way it is necessary to divide these branches into sites corresponding to physical network bounds. Inside each site there will be its servers running roles assigned to them according to branch demands. Such approach reduces load on communication channels and customer’s servers during exploitation.
Standard project of the system implementation includes following stages:
1) Audit of customer’s infrastructure.
2) Defining a list of tasks to be solved by the system basing on customer preferences and our recommendations following research results.
3) Planning solution architecture taking into account infrastructure features. Creating and approving documentation.
4) System implementation into customer’s infrastructure, configuring main nodes according to the plan.
5) Configuring the platform in accordance with the list of tasks to be solved:
- Adjusting rules of device collections creating.
- Preparing installation packs of applications being used by the customer and device drivers.
- Configuring automated tasks for operating system deployment or other tasks; preparing images.
- Customizing reports system.
- Customizing parameters and schedule of gathering inventory information.
- Integration with other systems.
6) Testing correct work of all components in various scenarios, preparing supporting documentation.
7) Training customer’s staff.
This solution solves a large list of various problems appearing to IT-department of almost every medium or large company. Using unified IT-resources inventory and management system increases work efficiency and agility of the whole IT-department, decreases labor contribution, helps to avoid failures caused by human factor and always contains comprehensive and up-to-date information available in handy form.