CMDB Information
The CMDB or the configuration management database has its roots from ITIL. The repository information that is related to the info system’s components also represents the IT environment significant components. Change is the only thing that is permanent in this world and with the global financial crisis a new factor was introduced into the organization structure of IT management. Most of today’s IT structures include financial controllers and commercial managers. Before, these positions report to the information and financial officers.
In order to track the costs, the configuration management database is the primary tool. The visibility level of the services footprint and the overall infrastructure is limited. This aspect alone inhibits in tracking the cost of the IT operations. Today, this is the best practice for the CMDB. An organization can benefit greatly from configuration management database. With this, a better understanding of the relationship between track federation and components can be reached. Configuration items are recorded, as well as the details about the relationships and important attributes between CIs. The CIs are described using configurable attributes such as technical, ownership, and relationship.
To enjoy success after the implementation of the configuration management database, auto discovery of the CIs is important and not only that, all changes should be monitored closely. CMDBs should be up to date but this has always been a weakness of repositories. It was only in 2007 when a proposed white paper was written by vendors including BMC Software, ASG, Fujitsu, CA, IBM, HP Software and Solutions, and Microsoft. The federation workgroup was made up of these representatives. By 2009, the Distributed Management Task Force standardized the specification so that cross-vendor solutions can be incorporated.
Most organizations today now have an IT department. The database is quite helpful since it organizes the data. Now, the data can be examined with ease, regardless of the perspective. As mentioned earlier, the components of the info system are referred as configuration items. A configuration item can be any IT component as long as it’s conceivable; this will include hardware, software, personnel, and documentation, or combinations of these things. The configuration management processes seek to control, specify, and track CIs. The changes made to the CIs are also monitored in a systematic and comprehensive fashion.
ITIL stands for IT Infrastructure library and according to its specs, there are four tasks of configuration management – identification of the CIs, data control, status maintenance, and verification. Only authorized individuals can change the data, as well as in maintaining up to date records on the CIs. The verification process can be done through reviews and audits. These are the ways to determine if data is accurate.
Do you want to build your CMDB? It is suggested that vendors and consultants purchase the needed tools prior to building the configuration management. Most IT departments are unsure about the type of info that they will deal with so you need to be prepared. For starters, you can work using the Excel spreadsheet. You have to map out the entire process before getting fancy tools and software. As long as you know where you start, you can be sure that you’re on the right track. Other processes should also be covered so that the database can include beneficial or useful information. Even incident and change management can benefit from the database. Why don’t you try the BMC Atrium software? This can serve as your references for single and service-based business.
It pays to know a great deal about configuration management before you start using it. The IT department is an integral part of the organization, so make the right decisions and choices.