You have a large investment in personal computers, servers, and software. Make certain that these assets are being used in the most cost-effective way by recognizing where they exist and what they contain. In addition, protect your company against legal action over software licensing violations by making sure that software resident on your computers is covered by valid licenses. Scan provides the information to help you do this quickly and easily!
Scan is an data collection and inventory process for Windows-based PC/server hardware
and software. It uses your existing capability (electronic mail system, Web server, file
server) and network for distribution of the collection software to your user community.
Scan can return the collected inventory information by using your existing MAPI or SMTP
mail system, FTP, a file server, etc. Scan is unique because of its flexibility and
low-cost implementation, avoiding the costly and time-consuming effort to implement
competitive applications.
Scan can be used can be used in "silent" mode when it runs
independent of the PC user. It can also be used in "interactive" mode when the
PC user starts the process. Scan then installs itself and can request optional
manual information (tailored to your requirements.) Scan also optionally analyzes the computer operating system, its hardware and software, and creates an
inventory file. The inventory file may be returned by the computer user or automatically
by Scan.
The returned inventory files are transformed into a format that can be easily imported
into your favorite relational database system or spreadsheet.
It even has an option for transformation to a format compatible with Microsoft
SMS (System Management Server.) All of these can be used to produce management and planning
information. The following list outlines the inventory information collected
(availability is dependent upon the operating system is use and in some cases,
on the installation of WMI 1.5 or later):
Scan allows you to define up to 99 separate input items which you can collect from your user community. These can include simple edit boxes which allow typed entry, "radio groups" which allow one choice to be checked, list boxes which allow a selection, and combo boxes which are a combination of list and edit boxes. You can define which are required and which are optional. Scan also allows for a "hint" that appears when the cursor passes over an entry area.
Scan provides for reporting on all executable files, or on those that you define. It provides detailed internal version information for the 32 bit Windows machines.
Scan Preparation Overview
The client software for Scan is controlled
by a parameter (Ini) file that is distributed with the executable. It is easy to
prepare using Scan Configurator. The executable and the customized Ini file are
then combined into a distribution file using one of the popular "Zip" programs.
Scan Operation Overview
The distribution file (executable and parameters) can be delivered to the PC user using a number of different options. It can be attached to an Email and mailed using your MAPI-compliant SMTP mail system. It can be placed on a web site and accessed by a URL sent to the PC user. It can be placed on a file server and started with a log-on script, or accessed by the PC User. It can even be sent to the PC user on a diskette. In other words, you can use a distribution method or methods that are compatible with your environment.
The inventory file that Scan creates can be returned for processing using a method or methods that also is compatible with your environment. With the exception of returning on a diskette, these methods can be automated so that Scan does all them work. If the inventory is returned via Email, the messages can be automatically read by Scan Reader. The inventory files are then processed by Scan Preparation to obtain files that are suitable for almost any relational database system, or for input into Scan Database Generator to produce Microsoft Excel, Access, or SQL Server databases. They can also be processed by Scan SMS to create files for input into Microsoft SMS.
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