CSM - Need an explanation for Product inventory, CI and Install base item

[naveenkumar423]

Hello All,

I need help to understand how this product inventory works and how it will be helpful to customers. Please explain in detail the total structure of inventory like Product inventory, CI and Install base item. How we are using product offering and product specifications, product offering catalog, categories for it? I know how those are building relationships, but I got stuck to understand how this data model works theoretically. Please explain with the best real time example. Would be grateful.

Thanks,
Naveen

[GlideFather]

Hi @naveenkumar423,

• Product inventory
  • laptops, servers, monitors, ...
  • it is a catalog of products (usually to be procured, not available at the moment)
• Configuration item (CI)
  • it is a record to track operational status of components,
  • again: router, server, laptop, printer, ...
  • relationships are super important here - you can see what devices are connected to what server and in case that this server is done you can easily see what is the impact
• Install base
  • it is a group of products INSTALLED in a particular location,
  • imagine an office in Coimbra - all the devices are in this base,
• Install base item
  • it is each one piece in the base as seen above.

Let me know if this makes sense to you or if you have further questions.

PS: this is on edge with Asset management, CMDB and CSM 🙂