5.4 Inventory

The Endpoint Agent scans your device for software and hardware information. This information is viewable by both you and your administrator.

The following sections contain more information:

5.4.1 What Is Inventory Information Used For?

The software and hardware inventory taken from your device might be used in a variety of ways. Your hardware information, for example, might be used by your administrator to see whether or not your device meets the system requirements for a bundle you need. Or, your software information might be used to validate compliance with company software standards.

You can use the inventory information to quickly find out details about your device, such as its asset tag number, IP address, total memory, and free disk space. You can view hardware details, such as the manufacturer and model of your hard drives, disk drives, and video card. You can also view software details, such as installed hot fixes and patches and the version numbers and locations of installed software products.

5.4.2 Scanning the Device

Unless your administrator has disabled the inventory scan schedule, the Endpoint Agent performs an inventory scan on your device on a regular basis. Your administrator determines the schedule; the default schedule is the first day of every month.

You can also initiate an inventory scan on your device, unless your administrator has disabled your ability to do so.

To initiate a scan:

  1. Right-click the Agent Tray Icon ZENworks icon in the notification area.

  2. Click Technician Portal.

  3. From the left navigation pane, in the inventory menu, click Scan Now.

There is no indication that the scan is being performed. However, when you refresh the Inventory page, you know the scan occurred if the Last Scan field displays the current date and time. You can click View Inventory Details to see the results of the scan.

5.4.3 Viewing Inventory Information

You can use the inventory information to quickly find out details about your device, such as its asset tag number, IP address, total memory, and free disk space. You can view hardware details, such as the manufacturer and model of your hard drives, disk drives, and video card. You can also view software details, such as installed hot fixes and patches and the version numbers and locations of installed software products.

To view inventory information:

  1. Right-click the Agent Tray Icon ZENworks icon in the notification area.

  2. Click Technician Portal.

  3. From the left navigation pane, in the Inventory menu, click View Inventory Details.

5.4.4 Completing a Collection Data Form

In addition to being able to schedule regular scans of your device, your administrator can create a collection data form to gather additional information from you. The information requested in the data form is determined by your administrator.

The collection data form appears as a dialog box on your desktop and remains until you submit the form. In addition, your administrator can configure the Endpoint Agent to display the form as an option when you right-click the Agent Tray Icon ZENworks icon in the notification area. In this case, the option remains even after you submit it; this allows you to resubmit the form when any of the requested information changes.