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Asset Management, Configuration Management, and Service Catalog

Asset Management and Configuration Management

There is some overlap between asset management and configuration management in that you can use the assets in your asset management database to populate the CIs of your configuration management Database (CMDB). However, one of the main features that distinguishes a CMDB from an asset database is relationships. A CMDB allows you to define and manage how CIs are related to one another.

Service Catalog and Configuration Manager

Service Catalog is a part of the FootPrints Configuration Manager add-on module. A Service Catalog is a document that provides a brief overview, in business terms, of all the business and infrastructure services offered by the IT provider, which may also include service charges. FootPrintsService Catalog (SC) enables IT organizations to offer a menu of services customized to their business customers; this allows IT to demonstrate its value to the business, and provide transparency of service costs . Items in the Service Catalog might include new equipment (laptop, Blackberry, etc.), critical business services such as email, or services required for a new hire. An entry in the SC would include a description of service, costs, service level agreement, etc. in a customer-friendly interface.

Terms 

You should be familiar with the following terms as they apply to FootPrints Configuration Manager:

* ITIL V3 Glossary v3.1.24, 11 May 2007. The definition is reproduced with permission.