Inventory modelling - Resource Specification versus CI

Gaurav Tewari · ‎03-14-2024

We need to model CFS, RFS, Resource and its Installed Base Item (IBI). Project is using OMT and CSM along with ITSM. There are 2 options:

We can model CFS and RFS in OMT Service Specification and resource as Resource Specification. Further Resource Specification can be related to Service Specification using OOB relationships. But if we do that then we cannot get the inventory in CI-IBI-Sold Product model.
Alternatively we can model the resource as a CI which will be related to Sold Product via the IBI in Installed Products. But in this option modelling the CFS and RFS will be a challenge.

Please suggest on how to model the resource so that I can relate Resource Specification with CI.

ShashankInamdar · ‎03-14-2024

@Gaurav Tewari

I can rephrase your question as - when should a Resource be modelled as a Resource Spec versus a Configuration Item?

A Resource in the context of P-S-R model, represents a tangile or intangible entity required to deliver a Service and where the Resource solely belongs to the customer such that it's lifecycle is tightly coupled with the customer. If the customer decides to disconnect, the Resource instance is also deactivated.

A CMDB CI is Resource+. By that, I mean the CI can represent a Resource that solely belongs to the customer but it can also represent a shared Resource instance that is common across different customers and serves more than one Service.

Based on this, a Resource can be represented in 3 ways -

[1] Only as a Resource Spec, and the instantiated record are stored in the Product Inventory table.

[2] Only as a CI, which can be linked to the Service Spec via Install Base Item

[3] Both as a Resource and CI

Pattern 2 and 3 are useful in Service Impact Analysis and Assurance use cases.

Based on your needs, you can either follow pattern 2 or 3.

You do not need TNI for this.

You mention, if you model the Resource as a CI then modelling CSF/RFS is a challenge. This I do not understand. Can you elaborate?

View solution in original post

MolayD21 · ‎03-14-2024

@ShashankInamdar ,

I believe NOW has provided some samples on pattern 2 & 3 in SDWAN workflows. Haven't it?

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Molay

ShashankInamdar · ‎03-15-2024

Yes, the demo data has samples for this.

Mahesh_Krishnan · ‎03-14-2024

Thanks @ShashankInamdar Will look into it.

Gaurav Tewari · ‎03-15-2024

@Mahesh_Krishnan We are currently modelling resource as CI so that we can proactively raise tickets and create cases on IBI linked to CIs.

@ShashankInamdar Following pattern 2 should solve my challenge.

Thanks both for your inputs.