As IT infrastructure becomes more complex, the importance of tracking and understanding information about the computing environment increases.
In this context, CMDBs are useful for IT managers who need to identify and verify each component of their infrastructure to better manage and improve it.
Find out what a CMDB is and how it can be useful to organizations in multiple industries.
An overview of configuration management databases
Configuration management databases (CMDB) are databases that contain all relevant information about the components used in an organization’s IT departments and how these components are connected.
In a CMDB, an IT infrastructure‘s elements are considered configuration items (CI). CIs therefore refer to any conceivable IT component, even software, documentation and employees. It can also refer to any combination of these elements and the dependencies between them.
A CMDB provides an organized view of configuration data and a way to examine the data from multiple perspectives. It is therefore crucial to configuration management processes since they involve identifying, controlling, and tracking the slightest changes to the IT system.
How to make sure your CMDB is efficient and useful
ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a methodological guide that is constantly updated. It includes a variety of recommendations to organize and improve information systems, reduce IT risks, increase the quality of IT services, and more. It is the main reference for IT specialists.
The ITIL method highlights the four main tasks of configuration management:
- Identification: Identify the CIs to be included in the CMDB
- Control: Control data to make sure that it can only be modified by authorized persons
- Monitoring: Maintain status, i.e. ensure that the current status of any CI is constantly recorded and updated
- Verification: Verify CMDB data for accuracy with audits and data reviews
CMDB: a tool with many benefits for companies and organizations
CMDBs and their configuration management processes are at the heart of the operations that modern IT departments are expected to perform.
They can help companies manage data for components of an IT system in one centralized location, even if the devices are distributed across different sites. This is particularly useful for organizations that have offices or operations across different cities and locations.
Configuration management databases also identify the impact of an event, such as a failure or modification on the IT system and its various components.
CMDBs also help companies perform IT service management processes such as problem, change and incident management quicker and more efficiently.
Finally, a CMDB can be a valuable resource for managers and decision makers seeking information to help them reduce costs and improve the quality and performance of their company’s IT services.
Getting the most out of a CMDB requires an effective ITSM solution
Employees rarely access configuration data directly from the CMDB, partially because of the amount of data it can hold and the format in which it is stored. The large amount of data is stored in rows and columns, which makes it difficult to interpret.
That is where ITSM solutions such as iTop step in with impressive features. These tools access, classify, filter and present the data contained in the CMDB to users in a way that corresponds to the problem they are trying to solve or the decision they want to make.
Does your organization still lack a CMDB?
If you are interested in implementing a CMDB for your organization, SEI Team can offer solutions based on your needs and budget. Contact us!