Asset Inventory Service

Oct 2, 2007 12:02 GMT  ·  By

Are you looking for a tool to analyze, register and report an inventory of the software installed on a computer? But are you limited to just a desktop-based utility? Asset Inventory Service is a hosted service dropped on top of Microsoft's System Center. This is of course an integer part of the Redmond company's business strategy to provide Software plus Service. System Center is a Microsoft solution designed to gather and centralize information related to infrastructure, policies, processes in a corporate environment and the best practices associated with effective system management. Both Asset Inventory Service and System Center are products focused on enabling businesses to cut costs, enhance software availability and boost service delivery.

"Asset Inventory Service is a hosted service that allows you to download a small client and install it on your PCs, upon which the client will register and report the software inventory of that PC to a web-based service. The service compares the list with the AIS central software title catalog, rationalizes the publisher, names and version numbers, and categorizes the software in your report. You (and your designee's) can then securely access the reports through a simple-to-use webpage after providing proper credentials. You can use these reports to simply count your installations, prepare for your next round of procurement, or check the successful deployment of applications," revealed Paul Bourgeau, from Microsoft's AIS team.

But Microsoft has not only connected the Asset Inventory Service with System Center but also with the Desktop Optimization Pack. Currently, the Asset Inventory Service Community Technology Preview is accessible only to Microsoft's Software Assurance customers that have also deployed the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack. Bourgeau promised that in the future, users will be able to not only perform inventories by capturing and aggregating their software resources, but also view the relation between the data and their Microsoft licenses.

"MDOP customers can register for the CTP program via the Asset Inventory Service Connect site once they have activated their AIS account. After logging in to AIS, simply click on the "AIS Support" link on the right side of the AIS homepage. From there, you can register on the AIS Connect site. The AIS Connect site, you will allow you to post feedback directly to our development team, and participate in feedback and discussions about the service", Bourgeau added.