CMDB and SAM Pro implementation guide

[kbkrabbenhoft]

Ok all you guru's I am working to determine how best to discover the installed software packages on Linux and AIX boxes. I have the CMDB pulling in data yet no groups, CI Class Mgr. Attributes but no rules or relationships. 

The Configuration Items are switches, scanners, communication devices etc.. Should I leave this unconfigured only discovered while I implement SAM Pro? I may be a bit naive but I truly do not know the best way to proceed. ServiceNow says you DO NOT need a CMDB to implement SAM PRO. Implementation companies I have talked to beg to differ. Insights would be great. 

[Doroth_e]

Hi Karen 🙂

The recommended approach from ServiceNow to discover installed software on Linux and AIX servers is through ServiceNow Discovery. That will populate the CMDB and SAM Pro (once installed) will use the software inventory in its processes for Software Asset Management.
https://www.servicenow.com/docs/r/zurich/it-operations-management/discovery/r-discovery.html

I would suggest you focus on servers and databases in your infrastructure first if you want to use SAM Pro.

For items like switches, scanners and communication devices, generally, software installed on those devices are generally proprietary and already included in the manufacturers' agreements. Discovery is beneficial to get visibility into your infrastructure and is critical to support Service Management processes. 

For end user devices, you can connect with a system like SCCM (MECM) / Intune/ via Service Graph Connector  or deploy ServiceNow ACC agents to manage the devices and capture the software installed. Similarly, the CMDB will be populated with the Configuration items discovered and SAM Pro will make use of the software inventory. 

Hope this clarifies your understanding.