Online Help | Desktop App

Configuring Inventory Data Mapping

Alloy Navigator Express uses Network Inventory Synchronization when importing audit snapshots from Network Inventory.

Network Inventory Synchronization performs the following operations:

  • Creating Computer records for computers discovered in Network Inventory (including Chromebooks)

  • Creating Inventory Item records for network devices discovered in Network Inventory

  • Creating Person records for computer users

  • Creating Location records for user departments

  • Creating Organization records for user companies

  • Updating existing Computer and Inventory Item records with the audit data from Network Inventory

  • Synchronizing the Software Catalog with the Software Catalog from Network Inventory

  • Tracking installed software and monitoring Software License Compliance

  • Deleting original records of retired objects

    • NOTE: The Automation Server controls the audit snapshot processing; therefore make sure the Automation Server is configured and running.

All snapshot attributes correspond to Computer's and Inventory Item's fields in accordance with Mapping Rules. The Network Inventory Synchronization also uses Templates to assign initial values to other fields of newly created Computers and Inventory Items. For example, the Computer's Status is set to In Stock, and the Inventory Item's Type - to Peripheral.

The default templates and mapping rules are usually sufficient, but you can modify the defaults, if needed.

Customizing Templates for Computers / Chromebooks / Inventory Items

Using Templates, you can assign initial values to a number of Computer's , Chromebook's, and Inventory Item's fields that the Network Inventory Synchronization creates.

ClosedTo customize a Template for the Network Inventory Synchronization:

  1. Go to Customization > IT Assets > [Computers / Inventory Items] > Workflow > [Object Class] Data Mapping > [Object Class] Template

  2. Each row specifies the initial value for a particular field. Customize the Template as needed:

    • To add a new field:

      1. Click New. A new row appears.

      2. In the new row, click the down arrow in the Field Name column and select the Ticket field from the list.

      3. In the Value column, assign a value to the selected field. For details, see Defining field values in Templates.

    • To delete a field:

      • Select a row and click Delete.

    • To modify a field:

      • Select a row to modify and make your changes. For details, see Defining field values in Templates.

  1. When done, click Save on the toolbar.

Configuring Network Inventory mapping

Alloy Navigator Express creates and updates Computers and Inventory Item records in accordance with mapping rules. The default mapping is usually sufficient, but you can modify or delete the default rules, create new rules, and restore the default mapping, if needed.

Under Customization > IT Assets > [Computers / Inventory Items] > Workflow > [Object Class] Data Mapping > Field Mapping for New / Existing [Object Class], you can control how the Network Inventory Synchronization imports Computers, Chromebooks, and Inventory Item records from Network Inventory into Alloy Navigator Express.

All imported audit snapshot attributes correspond to Computer's and Inventory Item's fields in accordance with the mapping rules. These mapping rules are grouped in two sections:

  • Field Mapping for New [Computers / Chromebooks / Inventory Items] - contains mapping rules for creating new records for new computers and discovered devices.

  • Field Mapping for Existing [Computers / Chromebooks / Inventory Items - contains mapping rules for updating existing records.

The default mapping is usually sufficient, but you can modify or delete the default mapping rules, create new rules, and restore the default mapping.

  • ClosedTo modify a mapping rule:

    1. Under Field Mapping for New / Existing [Object Class], double-click the rule to modify. The Field Mapping window opens.

    2. Change the rule as needed and click OK.

    3. Click Save on the toolbar.

  • ClosedTo create a mapping rule:

    1. Under Field Mapping for New [Computers / Inventory Items] or Field Mapping for Existing [Computers / Inventory Items], click New. The Field Mapping window opens.

    2. Choose the destination Computer's or Inventory Item's field, specify the replacement mode (for updating existing records), and choose the source audit snapshot attribute. For details, see Field Mapping window.

    3. Click OK.

    4. Click Save on the toolbar.

  • ClosedTo delete a mapping rule:

    1. Under Field Mapping for New [Computers / Inventory Items] or Field Mapping for Existing [Computers / Inventory Items], select a rule to delete and click Delete.

    2. Click Save on the toolbar.

  • ClosedTo restore the default mapping:

    1. Under Field Mapping for New [Computers / Inventory Items] or Field Mapping for Existing [Computers / Inventory Items], click Default.

    2. Click Save on the toolbar.

Checking results of Network Inventory Synchronization

To make sure that the Network Inventory Synchronization works as expected:

  1. View the log: Go to Logs > Network Inventory > Import and open the corresponding log file. For details, see Managing Network Inventory Import Log.

  2. In the Desktop App, go to IT Assets > Computers and view the created Computer records. On the Configuration tab of each record, click Show Audit Information and view the latest uploaded snapshot.

Related Information:

Managing Automation Server jobs

Configuring the Automation Server