Asset Type other than "Devices" for Inventory information
Hi everyone!'
We are trying to create separate asset types for tracking in the "Inventory" area other than just "Device" Asset types. For an example, we want to create a new asset type called "Laptop" with no Subtype and have all the inventory information displayed in those assets. It seems that only laptops that are added under the "Asset Types" then "Devices" in Asset Management have the ability to map fields directly from the Inventory area for live asset information. We are tracking Docks and Monitors with their own Asset Types as we are not tracking inventory information for those but we were hoping that it would be possible to track a new "Laptop" Asset Type with fields from the Inventory Scanner. Does anyone know if this is possible or are we restricted to receiving all laptop assets under Asset Types - Device and then Laptop as the Subtype for mapping inventory fields?
Answers (2)
Top Answer
The asset type of Device is specifically and uniquely created to hold the asset information from devices in inventory, hence you are able to map across inventory fields in that device type and no other. The functionality in the asset type Device is specific to connect the inventory and asset data only on devices in inventory, so I would add a major word of caution when saying that you want to map laptops as a unique asset type as it is not how the product was designed?
You can of course create a subtype of Laptop under the Device Asset type and then allow the data fields to be inherited, but again I would question why?
Labels are the easiest and quickest way to isolate inventory based information so just create an D_All Laptops label and use the chassis type, that way you know you can address all laptops.
With Asset management per se you should try to avoid overcomplicating your processes and asset definition is one such area where customers can over complicate, if a tech when needing to update an asset with a new location or status, for example, can't easily find the asset, because you have put it in the Laptop asset "pile" rather than just in the "everything with an agent pile" then they may not bother to update the data.
I would suggest utilizing the Chassis Type field. This information is populated automatically for my inventoried devices. If I pull a distinct list of types from my KACE system, I see: desktop, laptop, tablet, other
Utilizing this filter in searches, labels, reporting, etc. you should be able to separate out the different types of devices without any need to manage them as separate asset types.
Note: If you are working on a SQL report, the field CHASSIS_TYPE is located in the MACHINE table.
