Change model category of laptops using Discovery

[shane_davis]

Our Discovery is not changing the model category as I hoped it would.   Any help will be appreciated!

Current design:   Laptop models are being placed in the Computer model category.

Requested design:   Our Asset Management group has requested that all of our laptop models be in a new Laptop model category.   Throughout the years, there are many of these.

Completed so far:

1. Followed CMDB Classifications - ServiceNow Wiki   to do the following:
   • Created a new table called Laptops [u_cmdb_ci_laptop] which extends the Computer [cmdb_ci_computer] table.
   • Set the order of the new Laptops module to 628
   • Created a model category called Laptop using the new Laptops table
2. Moved the laptop model that we use (fake example: P5645) from the Computer model category to the Laptop model category
3. Ran a Quick Discovery on my laptop which is the model I moved to the Laptop model category.....nothing changed

Many thanks,

Shane

[Community Alums]

Shane,

Where are you looking for the change to occur? Something to keep in mind here: Model categories are used to create an Asset from a CI or a CI from and Asset. With both items created and linked, there is some synchronization that happens between the items. Model Category does not really come into play once the connection is made, apart from categorization. Discovery sources can change the CI classification, but this won't affect the Model category on the Asset. If you want to do that, you would need to set up a script to also update the Asset.

Out of curiosity, why did you choose to create a Laptop CI Class? Is there specific operational information you want to track about laptops? If you are just looking to report on laptops versus other types of computers, you could set up a Form factor field on the Model records that you can use for reporting like that.

Ben

[shane_davis]

Ben,

        Thank you for your reply.   Asset Management submitted an enhancement to us that they wanted laptops and desktop models categorized as Laptop and Desktop rather than Computer in the Hardware Assets > Model Category field.   However, they (nor I) knew what happened behind the scenes that causes the model category to be set as Computer.   I believe all they really want is a way to look in Hardware Assets and easily see & filter off of Laptops or Desktops without having to filter on all the models which could be extensive.

        From your statement, it sounds like I need to leave the model category of Computer working as it is.   I am not really sure what the best method of getting Asset Management an easy Laptop/Desktop view is though.

        I created the Laptop CI Class because I found the Wiki and thought that was what I needed...  

Thank you for your help,

Shane

[Community Alums]

Shane,

If you put a Form factor field on the Model (described in a blog post here: Model Extension: Model Management Part 8), you can still easily get a pretty easy asset report on laptops and desktops. This should give you what you need without creating new Classes.

You can view the Form factor field in Asset forms and lists:

Group by form factor:

And report on this information:

[shane_davis]

Ben,

        That looks like what Asset Management is looking for except that, from what I see, populating the Form factor choice will require a manual action by the AM team rather than an automated action by Discovery.   Am I missing anything?   Thank you very much for the information!

Shane