Improving CMDB data quality for HAM

  • Release version: Zurich
  • Updated September 2, 2025
  • 2 minutes to read
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    Summary of Improving CMDB Data Quality for HAM

    The Remediation actions panel in the CMDB success advisor dashboard for Hardware Asset Management (HAM) provides targeted actions to enhance the quality of your Configuration Management Database (CMDB). This tool helps ensure better accuracy, consistency, and usability of configuration items (CIs) within the CMDB, which is crucial for effective asset management.

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    Key Features

    • Guided Actions: The panel offers step-by-step recommendations to improve CMDB data quality.
    • Context-Aware Suggestions: Actions are tailored to the specific data displayed in the selected chart.
    • Focused Remediation: Directs attention to significant tasks that can enhance data integrity.
    • Availability: The panel appears only when actionable insights are present, ensuring relevance.

    Key Outcomes

    By utilizing the Remediation actions panel, customers can address various data quality issues, including:

    • CIs with Invalid or Unpopulated Names: Correct naming to enhance discovery and alignment.
    • CIs with Missing Model Entries: Ensure complete model data for better normalization and lifecycle tracking.
    • Stale CIs: Remove or update outdated CIs to maintain an accurate environment representation.
    • Duplicate CIs: Eliminate or merge duplicates for a unified source of truth.
    • Virtual CIs with Assets: Identify and remove incorrect hardware assets linked to virtual CIs.
    • CIs Missing Serial Numbers: Resolve issues with unassigned serial numbers for better tracking.
    • CIs Missing Location: Fix gaps in asset tracking by addressing location assignments.
    • CI and Asset State Mismatch: Align installation statuses with asset states to improve lifecycle reporting.

    Access the Remediation actions panel by selecting a segment or count on a chart in the CMDB success advisor dashboard for HAM. This feature empowers users to take informed actions that significantly enhance CMDB data quality.

    The Remediation actions panel available for a chart in the CMDB success advisor dashboard for Hardware Asset Management (HAM) suggests targeted actions to improve the overall quality of your Configuration Management Database (CMDB).

    Figure 1. Remediation actions panel
    Example actions in the remediation actions panel shown for virtual CIs with asset.

    When remediation actions are available for a chart, the Remediation actions panel appears on the KPI Details page.

    You can perform the actions suggested within the Remediation actions panel to address HAM data quality issues in the CMDB. These actions help improve the accuracy, consistency, and usability of configuration items (CIs), promoting better alignment with HAM.

    The Remediation actions panel:
    • Improves CMDB data quality through guided actions
    • Suggests context-aware actions
    • Supports quick, informed remediation steps
    • Focuses attention on meaningful tasks
    • Appears only when actionable insights are available

    Accessing the Remediation actions panel

    To open the Remediation actions panel, select a segment or count on a chart in the CMDB success advisor dashboard for HAM. The KPI Details page opens. If the remediation actions are available for the selected data, the panel appears on the details page suggesting various remediation actions.

    Available remediation actions

    The Remediation actions panel provides relevant suggestions and actions based on the information in the selected chart. For example, if the chart shows CIs that weren't updated recently, the panel suggests reviewing retirement policies.

    The remediation actions are available for the improvement of the following issues:

    CIs with invalid or unpopulated names
    Identify and correct CIs that lack meaningful or complete naming, which can impact discovery and asset alignment.
    CIs with missing model entries
    Resolve CIs missing any model-related data in the CMDB, including model ID, model name, model number, and manufacturer, all of which are essential for normalization and life cycle tracking.
    Stale CIs
    Remove or update CIs that weren't updated or discovered for an extended period, helping maintain an accurate representation of your environment.
    Duplicate CIs
    Remove or merge duplicate records to avoid data fragmentation and promote a single source of truth.
    Virtual CIs with asset
    Identify and remove hardware assets incorrectly created for virtual CIs, which can lead to inaccurate HAM license consumption and reporting.
    CIs missing serial number
    Identify and resolve CIs that have no assigned serial number, which can affect duplicate detection and hardware asset tracking.
    CIs missing location
    Identify and resolve CIs that have no assigned location, which can cause gaps in asset tracking and service mapping.
    CI and asset state mismatch
    Identify and resolve CIs where the installation status does not align with the corresponding asset state, which can lead to inaccurate asset life cycle reporting.