TheMrB Posted July 18, 2017 Posted July 18, 2017 I'm not sure how this happened, I know next to nothing about databases, but... I've been tasked with creating a database with a pretty front end that can add, remove and search the database behind it. Essentially, I need a table that includes a list of computers, monitors, etc etc etc that I can then search from a front page. Users also need to be able to add to the database from the front without opening the database. the issues I have are... 1. I know not what I'm doing. this isn't an urgent job and I've got time to learn the ropes, but I am a complete newb at this. 2. I can't install any additional software. MS Office, Visual Studio, sharepoint, that's pretty much it. I've gotten lost up my own backside looking for tutorials - hardly surprising when I don' know what I'm looking for. If someone could point me in the direction of a tutorial or two, I'd really appreciate it. cheers.
pcstru Posted July 18, 2017 Posted July 18, 2017 I'd suggest just use a list in Sharepoint - which is effectively a table. You can search lists. You can put a pretty front end form on it if you need to and set permissions so users interact as you want them to (read only etc). Relevant tutorial. 1
TheMrB Posted July 18, 2017 Author Posted July 18, 2017 I'd suggest just use a list in Sharepoint - which is effectively a table. You can search lists. You can put a pretty front end form on it if you need to and set permissions so users interact as you want them to (read only etc). Relevant tutorial. I'll get into it. Thanks man! Is this a cmdb? I don't know what that means. See? A complete Newb
dapaulio Posted July 19, 2017 Posted July 19, 2017 (edited) Cmdb??? Even I'm struggling there. Content management database??? You're looking for an asset register by the sounds of it. I designed myself a very simple access database that catalogued all the assets in the school. It has a search feature and have begun creating reports for it also. I then walk around the site with a tablet and a barcode reader and zap everything. It's a little rough around the edge but does the job and isn't all that complex I'm happy to share it with you. Edited July 19, 2017 by dapaulio 2
Popular Post Roberto Posted July 19, 2017 Popular Post Posted July 19, 2017 (edited) Cmdb??? Even I'm struggling there. Content management database???. CMDB is short for Configuration Management Database. It's a key concept in IT management frameworks such as ITIL or FITS. It is (or can be) quite a bit more comprehensive than what I've normally seen included in an asset register, in that a CMDB can hold all kinds of items and establish relationships between them, e.g. you can have entries (known as CIs, for Configuration Items) for different items of hardware obviously, but a good CMDB will allow you to establish a relationship between them, so allowing you to tie together a keyboard, mouse, monitor, desktop and printer as all being associated with one another and also a particular person or location (both of which can be CIs too). Moreso, a good CMDB will tie into, or is built into, helpdesk software and allow you to monitor, manage and even predict faults in individual CIs or even classes of CIs (e.g. if you run a report showing that a particular model of desktop PC is failing at a high rate, you can pinpoint an underlying fault (e.g. bad batch of RAM) and use that to predict which other models of desktop might fail in the future and manage the repair of all the affected items in a controlled manner. CMDBs can also be used to manage software licences and if you tie both hardware and software into your CMDB, it's possible to build up a detailed picture of how each PC or laptop in your system should be configured, what should be installed on it, etc, and then use monitoring tools to scan devices on your network and flag up anomalies. Or if you're really feeling fancy, automatically remediate the issues it finds. Edited July 19, 2017 by Roberto 5
ass17 Posted July 19, 2017 Posted July 19, 2017 We're using AMS (Asset Management Database) you won't find it on the internet as I wrote it in house. Using asp.net and SQL DB. [emoji1303][emoji1]
psydii Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 (edited) We use Sysaid. It's asset register (for physical things) populates its CMDB, which can contain things like software, services, people groups etc. We even put Group Policies in there. We can then link these objects to the change request that caused them to be created. Also does all the basics like serial, cost, date of purchase, owner, department, warranty, supplier etc. Edited July 20, 2017 by psydii 1
TheMrB Posted July 20, 2017 Author Posted July 20, 2017 Cmdb??? Even I'm struggling there. Content management database??? You're looking for an asset register by the sounds of it. I designed myself a very simple access database that catalogued all the assets in the school. It has a search feature and have begun creating reports for it also. I then walk around the site with a tablet and a barcode reader and zap everything. It's a little rough around the edge but does the job and isn't all that complex I'm happy to share it with you. An asset register is exactly what I'm looking for. If you're happy to share it with me, I would really appreciate it. thank you.
round2it Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 I just use a spreadsheet with filters it just works for us but not feature rich
mavhc Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 I use a spreadsheet or https://www.myassettag.com/assettiger/ which is free, they make money selling tags, but you don't have to buy them Basically depends if you want to audit changes, in a real asset management system it's impossible to delete anything, just mark it as destroyed. All changes are logged.
GrumbleDook Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 I wouldn't rule out the CMDB ... just use it for asset management to start with and you'll be surprised how quickly you use it for other things
mavhc Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 I wouldn't rule out the CMDB ... just use it for asset management to start with and you'll be surprised how quickly you use it for other things Just don't write your own. 2
unixman_again Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 We use a MySQL database and a handful of php scripts, which were written in-house years ago. Some of the layout is a bit strange but it works and there is no point in changing. Besides, moving to a new system would be a nightmare. At my two last schools, and when I worked for a couple of e-tailers, they wasn't anything in place when I started. I implemented the "stuff" spreadsheet in OpenOffice and that worked well too. Even handled asset life. 1
markwilfan Posted July 20, 2017 Posted July 20, 2017 We are using Snipe-IT https://snipeitapp.comMoving to this in the summer ourselves. Looks nice 1
dapaulio Posted July 21, 2017 Posted July 21, 2017 An asset register is exactly what I'm looking for. If you're happy to share it with me, I would really appreciate it. thank you. You're welcome to have it. Give me a little time to clone it and remove the data out of it then I'll pm it over to you.
TheMrB Posted July 21, 2017 Author Posted July 21, 2017 You're welcome to have it. Give me a little time to clone it and remove the data out of it then I'll pm it over to you. A true gentlemen. Thank you very much.
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