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  • Welcome to ASM HERMES!
    • HERMES 10.6.8 Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.14379 AUG 24 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.14627 SEPT 24 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.14701 OCT 24 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.14800 OCT 24 2 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.14879 NOV 24 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.14901 N0V 24 2 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15038 DEC 24 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15097 JAN 25 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15121 JAN 2 25 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15289 FEB 25 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15348 FEB 2 25 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15509 MAR 25 MR Release Notes
      • 10.6.8.15572 APRIL 25 MR Release Notes
    • HERMES 10.6.9 RC Release Notes
      • 10.6.9.14735 OCT 24 RC Release Notes
    • ASM Video Library
  • ITSM Solutions
    • Example Solutions - Best Practices for a Successful Outcome
      • Managing Changes to your ASM Application
      • Business Continuity Planning
      • Capacity Planning
      • Change Management
        • Planning Change Management
        • Build Your Workflow
      • Dynamic Ticket Routing
      • Environmental Impact Analysis (for TBL Accounting)
      • Knowledge Management
        • Planning Knowledge Management
      • Major Incident Management
        • Configure Major Incident Management
        • Allow Users to Subscribe to MI
      • Project Management
        • ASM Project Management How-To Videos
      • Service Validation and Testing
        • Example Configuration
      • User Survey Systems
        • Planning and Implementing Surveys
        • Survey Fields and Configuration
      • Workforce and Talent Management
        • Example Configuration
      • 2-Part Call Close Process
      • Incident Management
        • Planning Your Incident Management Implementation
        • Setup IPK Management
        • Build Screens to Support IPK
  • Use ASM
    • About the Alemba Service Manager Family
      • URLs and Access Parameters
        • System Access URLs
        • ASM Self Service Portal URLs
        • Pre-Populating Search Fields
    • Using the Self Service Portal
      • Logging on to Self Service Portal
        • Forgotten User ID and Password (Self Service Portal)
        • Password Expiry
      • Self Service Portal Home Page
      • Self Administration in Self Service Portal
        • Updating Your Contact Details
        • Changing Your Password
        • Delegating Work
      • Logging and Reviewing Tickets and Tasks/Approvals
        • Using the Logging Forms in Self Service Portal
        • Suggested Knowledge in the Self Service Portal
        • Reviewing Your Tickets in the Self Service Portal
          • Cloning Tickets in Portal
          • Chasing Ticket or Request
        • Off-Line Conversations with Support
        • Closing Your Tickets
        • Reopening Your Tickets
        • Cloning Your Tickets
      • Following Tickets
      • Self-Help/Self-Diagnosis in Portal: Scripts
      • Searching the Knowledge Bank in Self Service Portal
      • Chat
        • Alembot - Chatbot
      • Service Request Catalog
      • Your Surveys
    • Using Nano
      • Nano Feature List
      • NANO Video Tutorial - Quick Start
      • Nano Application
        • Viewing Your Workload in NANO
        • Viewing Bulletins
        • Nano Matching Panel
        • Using the Call, Request, and Task Details window
        • Working with Entities in Nano
          • Followers
        • Using Resource Manager in NANO
        • Viewing Your Outstanding Tasks
        • Keyboard Shortcuts
    • Using ASM Core
      • Getting Started
        • The ASM Core Window
          • The Information Panel
          • The View Option
          • The New Option
          • Configuring search results
        • Changing your Password
        • Generating an ASM statistics report
        • Printable Reports from within Core
        • Searching for Items
          • Using Wildcards in Search
          • Outstanding Item Searches
          • Saved searches
          • Viewing Search Results in Graphs
          • Creating Reporting Views from Search Results
        • Indicators - Icons
      • View Your Consolidated Workload
      • Viewing Daily Stats
      • Chat
      • Managing Followers
      • Managing Your Tickets - Calls and IPK
        • Working with Calls
          • About the Call Details Window
          • Cloning Option
          • Log New Request from Call
          • Watch Call
          • Change a Call from an Incident to a Problem, Known Error, Major Incident, or Service Request
          • About the Service Window
          • About the Call Information Panel
          • About the Matching Panel
          • Add Notes - Updating Your Tickets
            • Notes: Offline Conversations with the User
          • Managing and Using Call Activities
          • Assigning Work Based on Skills
        • Call Details Explorer Options
          • Call Activities Explorer Option
          • Linking Explorer Option
          • Forum Analysts Explorer Option
          • AI Ops Explorer Option
          • Viewing Event Transactions from a Call or Request
          • Email All Explorer Option
        • Overview of CTI in Alemba Service Manager
          • Storing Telephone Numbers for CTI
        • Logging a Call
        • Using Quick Solutions
        • Using Quick Forms
        • Deferring a Call
        • Reassigning/Forwarding a Call(s) Internally
        • Forwarding a Call Externally
        • Creating an Outage from a Call
        • Closing a Call
        • Global Updates
        • User Chased Tickets
        • Escalating Tickets
      • Sending Ad-Hoc Surveys
      • Requests and Tasks
        • Viewing your Request Workload
          • Viewing Outstanding Requests
          • Searching for Requests
        • Submit a New Request
        • Escalate a Request
        • Searching for Tasks
        • Suspending a Task
        • Completing a Task
        • Sending email from a task
        • Forwarding a Task Internally - Reassignment
        • Completing an Approval
        • Managing Change Calendars
        • Managing Resources
          • Preparing to Use Resource Manager
          • Using Resource Manager
          • Allocating Tasks in Resource Manager
      • Ordering Service Actions within ASM Core
      • Adding Attachments
      • Managing your CMDB
        • Managing CMDB Items
          • Cloning CMDB Items
          • Completing CMDB Item Details
          • CMDB Linking Diagram
          • Freezing CMDB Items
          • Linking CMDB Items
        • Managing Your Assets
          • Managing Inventory Items
          • Managing Software Products
          • Thresholds Explorer Option
          • Managing Transactions
            • Purchasing Items
            • Reserving Items
            • Allocating Items
            • Transferring Ownership of Items
            • Retiring Items
            • Changing Availability Status of Items
            • Adding an order from a search field
          • Specifying Usage Criteria
        • Managing your Service Portfolio
          • Managing Services
          • Managing Service Actions
            • Defining the Outcome of Selecting a Service Action
          • Managing Service Bundles
        • Managing Organizations
        • Managing Locations
        • Managing Cost Centers
        • Managing Jurisdictions
        • Managing Subscriber Groups
        • Managing Stakeholders
        • Options in the CMDB Items Explorer Pane
        • Allocating Change Windows to CMDB Items
        • Managing People
        • Managing Contracts
        • Managing Availability
          • Managing Outages
          • Impact Criteria
          • Displaying Outages
        • SLM - Managing Agreements
          • Defining Agreement Thresholds
          • Linking Service Items to an Agreement
          • Attaching Selection Criteria to Agreements
          • Agreement Measurements
      • Configuring AI Ops
        • Using the AI Ops Wizard
        • Managing AI Ops Rules
      • Knowledge Management
        • Managing Knowledge Entries
        • The Knowledge Bank Explorer
        • Viewing Knowledge Entries
        • Knowledge Administration
      • Configuring Reminders
      • Using IPK Workflow Rules
        • Part 1 - Building the Workflows
        • Part 2 - Defining Workflow Criteria Rules
          • Defining Call Fields for IPK Rules
        • Part 3 - Assigning Workflows to Rules
        • Configuring Call Auto Close Rules
        • Running Multiple Workflow Types on a Call
      • The Bulletin Board
        • Viewing Bulletins
        • Managing Bulletins
      • Using Timesheets
      • Scheduling Calls and Requests
      • Using Quick Forms
      • Using Call Scripts in Core
      • Instant Messaging/Internal Messages
      • Sending an Email
        • Finding Recipients
      • Delegation Setup
      • Purging Data
  • SetUp & Configure ASM
    • Licensing
      • Licensing model
      • ASM Person Licenses
    • Installation and Patching
      • Alemba Service Manager On-Premise Architecture
      • HERMES Installation Guide
        • HERMES Prerequisites
        • Upgrading/Installing ASM to HERMES Step by Step Guide
      • Installation PowerShell Parameters
        • Administration Using PowerShell Scripts
      • Installation Guide for Syncfusion Dashboards
        • Part 1-Syncfusion Dashboard Server Installation
        • Part 2-Syncfusion Server Check HTTPS Binding has been Configured
        • Part 3-Syncfusion Server User Management Server (UMS) Configuration
        • Part 4-Syncfusion Server Configure the Dashboard Server
        • Part 5-Syncfusion Server Patching the Scheduler Service
      • Upgrading from vFire 9.2 or Below
      • Installing and upgrading on Multiple Web Servers
      • Patching where downloading files is not possible
        • Installation Using Setup.exe
      • Configuring external network access to ASM
      • About the Polling Services
      • Uninstalling ASM Core
    • Setting Up your System
      • On-Premise: System Console Configuration Settings
      • Logging in as Administrator
      • ASM Nano
        • Enabling Nano
        • Request Phases
      • Setup IM (Internal Messaging)
      • Setup Email
        • Setting Up Incoming and Outgoing Email
          • Email Server Configuration
          • Methods of Authentication for Mail Servers
          • Incoming Email
            • Recognized Incoming Email Subject Headings
            • Incoming POP3, and IMAP Email Server Settings
            • Incoming Email via API
            • How the Logging Analyst is Determined on an Incoming Email
          • Outgoing SMTP Email Server Settings
          • Outgoing Email via Webhooks
          • Configure Azure MS Graph API
          • Configuring Exchange Web Services (EWS)
            • Prerequisites
              • Web Redirect URL Configuration
              • Creating an Azure Client Secret
            • EWS - Configure Outgoing Email
            • EWS - Configure Incoming Email
            • EWS - Authorize the Connection
            • EWS - Troubleshooting
        • Mail Message Access (MMA)
      • Setup Chat
    • Configuring your System
      • Accessibility Features
      • ASM Solutions
      • Call Template Administration
      • Configuration Post Go-Live
        • Preparing Production for Sys Admins and Developers
        • ASM Application Configuration Change Management
          • ASM Application Configuration Change Screens
          • ASM Application Change Workflow Template
      • Configuration Post Go-Live using SDLC
      • Configuring Escalations and Chase
      • Configuring the Data Purge Service
      • Configuring Screens
        • Creating New Screen Sets
        • Screens Available for Configuration using ASM Designer
        • Building Screens in ASM Designer
          • Configuring Fields
          • Creating a Custom Field
          • Deleting & Unlinking Fields
            • ASM System Fields for Call Screens
            • ASM System Fields for Request Screens
            • ASM System Fields for Task Screens
            • ASM System Fields for Approval Screens
            • ASM System Fields for CMDB Item Screens
          • Screen Widgets
            • Data-Grid Widgets
            • Self Service Portal System Widgets
          • Knowledge Article Screens
          • Configuring Message Templates
          • Importing/Exporting Screens
          • Troubleshooting Screens: The Screen's Dead Zone
        • Dynamic Screens
          • Deep Linking Field Data Across Screen Sets
          • Field Calculations
          • Using Rules
          • Adding Images and Progress Indicators to your screens
        • Deleting a Custom Screen
        • Configuring Button Labels
      • Conversation History Widget For Nano
      • Customizing Options for the Self Service Portal
        • Add Me: Set up "Add-Me" for Subscribing to or Following Issues
        • Styling the Self Service Portal
        • Enable Request Correction and Resubmission
      • System Administration Settings
        • Custom Global Profile Fields
        • System Settings Menu
          • Your Organization
          • Partitioning
            • Configuring Partitions
            • Partition Settings
          • System Settings
          • Security Profiles
          • Server Time Zone
            • Storing Time Zone Information
            • Time Zone Settings
          • Defining Working Hours
          • Defining public holidays
          • Reset References
          • System Source Titles
          • Browse Limits
          • Messaging
          • Message Types
            • Message Type Definitions
          • Pager Settings
          • Pager Types
          • Activity Log
          • Stored Procedures
          • System Titles
          • Quick Launch
          • Quick Notes
          • Auditing
            • Administration Audit Trail
          • User and Analyst Search Field Settings
          • Email Header and Footer
        • Security
          • Security Settings
          • Security Settings (Partitioned)
          • IPK Groups
          • Workflow Management Groups
          • Controlling log in
          • Email and Pager Options for IPK and Workflow Groups
        • Security Roles
          • General Access Security Role
            • Admin Tab
            • Timesheets Tab
          • IPK Management Security Roles
            • IPK Management Role: Options Tab
            • IPK Management Security Role: Groups Tab
            • IPK Management Security Role: IPK Streams Tab
            • IPK Management Security Role: IPK Statuses Tab
            • IPK Management Security Role: Forms Tab
            • IPK Management Security Role: Quick Launch Tab
            • IPK Management Security Role: Fwd Groups Tab
          • Workflow Management Security Roles
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Shared Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Requests Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Tasks Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Processes Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Groups Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Request Screen Sets Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Task Screen Sets Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Appr. Screen Sets Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: User Approval Screen Sets Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: External Supplier Screen Sets Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Closure Task Screen Sets Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Forms Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Template Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Request Quick Launch Tab
            • Workflow Management Security Role: Task Quick Launch Tab
          • Configuration Management Security Roles
            • Configuration Management Security Role: CMDB Items Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: People Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Roles: Organizations Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: Locations Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: Contracts Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: Subscriber Groups Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: Cost Centers Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: Jurisdictions Tab
            • Configuration Management Security Role: Forms Tab
          • Service Level Management Security Roles
            • Service Level Management Security Role: Options Tab
            • Service Level Management Security Role: Forms Tab
          • Availability Management Security Roles
          • Knowledge Management Security Roles
            • Knowledge Management Security Role: Options Tab
            • Knowledge Management Security Role: Content Access Tab
            • Knowledge Management Security Role: Statuses Tab
          • Bulletin Board Security Roles
          • Dashboard Management Security Role
          • Integration Security Role
        • IPK and Workflow
          • Incident, Problem & Known Error (IPK) Management
            • Configuring IPK Settings
            • IPK Settings (Partitioned)
            • Action Type
            • Call Attributes
            • Call History Types
            • Call Impact
            • Call Physical Statuses
            • Call Priority
            • Call Screen Sets
            • Stakeholder Roles
            • Call States
            • Call Status Titles
            • Call Urgency
            • Closure Groups
            • Custom Call Profiles
            • User Survey
            • User Survey Screen Set
            • IPK classes
            • IPK Streams
            • IPK Statuses
            • Link Stream/Status to Call Screen Set
            • Link Type/Stream/Status to Call Screen Set
            • Link Screen Set to Reasons
            • Link Type to Reason
            • Limit Type by IPK Status
            • Link Type to Call Screen Set
            • Priority Matrix
            • Quick Forms
            • Quick Solutions
            • Reasons
            • Call Scripts: Scripting
            • Type Tiers
          • Workflow Management
            • Workflow Management Settings
            • Workflow Attributes
            • Approval Types
            • Request Action Types
            • Request Implementation Profiles
            • Request Implementation States
            • Request Link Types
            • Request Physical Statuses
            • Request Phases (Nano)
            • Request Priority
            • Request Risks
              • Request Risk Assessment
              • Request Impact
              • Request Complexity
              • Request Risk Assessment Matrix
            • Screen Sets for Requests, Tasks and Approvals
            • Request Stakeholder Roles
            • Request Completion Statuses
            • Request Types
            • Task Action Types
            • Task Phases
            • Task Physical Statuses
            • Task Priority
            • Task Status Titles
            • Task Types
            • Workflow Management History Types
            • Request History Filters
            • Workflow Processes
            • Workflow Export and Import - Workflow Porting
            • Linking Approval Screens to Partitions
        • Service Level Management
          • SLM Settings
          • Agreement Attributes
          • Agreement Selection Priority
          • CMDB Selection Priority
          • Agreement Stakeholder Roles
          • Agreement Statuses
          • Exclusion Reasons
          • Agreement Types
          • Event Activity Types
          • Agreement Matrices
          • Measurement Types
          • Payment Types
        • CMDB (Configuration Management Database)
          • CMDB Settings
          • CMDB Service Levels
          • CMDB Item Classes
          • CMDB Item Criticality
          • CMDB Item Physical Statuses
          • CMDB Item Types
          • CMDB Link Status
          • CMDB Link Types
          • Contract Support Type
          • Contract Types
          • Cost Center Category
          • Custom CMDB Profiles
          • Person Profile
          • External Contact Type
          • User VIP Statuses
          • Disposal Methods
          • Financial Statuses
          • Financial Category
          • Freeze Statuses
          • Link Manufacturer to Model Type
          • Manufacturers
          • Model Types
          • Organization Profiles
          • External Supplier Statuses
          • Purchase Method
          • Service Link Types
          • Service Portfolio Statuses
          • Service Cost Types
          • Service Periods
          • Asset Management - Asset Lifecycle Status
          • Asset Management - License Type
          • Asset Management - Transaction Status
          • Self Service Portal Display Categories
          • Stakeholder Roles
          • Auditing Configuration Items
        • Availability
          • Configuring Availability Management
          • Outage Types
          • Schedule Definition
        • Depreciation
          • Batch Run Parameters
          • Depreciation by CMDB Item Type
          • Depreciation Methods
          • Depreciation Schedules
        • Knowledge Bank
          • Knowledge Bank Settings
          • Knowledge Base Types
          • Knowledge Entry Types
          • Knowledge Profiles
          • Knowledge Ratings
          • Knowledge Statuses
          • Knowledge Document Import
        • Bulletin Board
          • Configuring the Bulletin Board
          • Bulletin Board Priorities
          • Bulletin Stakeholder Roles
        • Text Retrieval
          • Common Words
          • Keywords
          • Synonyms
        • Analytics
          • Analytics Settings
          • Classic Syncfusion Dashboard Server Configuration
        • Self Service Portal
          • Self Service Portal Settings
          • Self Service Portal Settings (Partitioned)
          • Self Service Portal Roles
            • Options Tab
            • CMDB Tab
            • Content Access Tab
            • Workflow Templates Tab
            • Call Templates Tab
            • IPK Status Tab
            • Dashboard Management Tab
          • Self Service Portal Systems
          • Self Service Portal My Options
          • Self Service Portal Tables
          • Service Order Status Titles
          • Question Mappings
          • Catalog Promoted Items
          • Suggested Knowledge in the Self Service Portal
          • Creating Custom Pages
          • Link Organization to Portal Key
        • Nano
        • Preview Features/Advanced Options
          • Settings
            • Multi Language
              • Languages
                • Portal Label Language Updates
                • Service Title Language Updates
            • Call Activities
            • Enable Active Directory Mappings to Sub Groups
            • CTI
              • Setting up the Alemba Service Manager CTI
            • SignalR Scale Out Options
            • External Chat tool Integrations
          • Portal Settings
          • Global Search
          • Chat Bot
      • Workflow Template Administration
        • Basic Process for Building a Workflow
          • Task List for Workflow (Request Template) Creation
            • Create a Service Action and Attach a Workflow to it
        • Managing Tasks - Adding Tasks to the Dependency Diagram
          • About Tasks - General
          • Task Types in the Task Palette
            • Defining Request Start Details
            • Creating a Standard Task
            • Create Request Task
            • Creating an Approval Task
            • Creating a User Approval Task
            • Conditional Branching Tasks
              • Defining a Dependency Rule
              • Defining Dependency Actions
            • Creating a Messaging Task
            • Creating a Delay Task
            • Creating a Manage CMDB Task
              • Recursive CMDB Task
              • Adding Transactions to a Manage CMDB task
              • Asset Management Transactions in a Manage CMDB Task
              • Mapping Fields to be Updated by a Transaction
            • Creating an Outbound Action Task
            • Creating an SLM Start Clock/Stop Clock Task
            • Creating an External Supplier Task
            • Creating a Run External Procedure Tasks
            • Creating a Change Window Task
            • Creating a Closure Task
            • Creating an Activation Task
        • Component Workflows
        • Setting Up Amendable Requests
        • Troubleshooting Workflow and Service Action Linking
        • Sharing Parent Request Items with Child Requests
    • Dashboards and Reporting
      • Dashboard Configuration and User Learning Guide
      • Descriptions of Default Reports and Dashboards (SDI Classifications)
        • 8.3 Number of Incidents and Service Requests
        • 8.4 Average Time to Respond
        • 8.6 Average time to resolve incidents or fulfill service requests
        • 8.7 First Contact Incident Resolution and Request Fulfilment Rate
        • 8.8 First Level Incident Resolution and Request Fulfillment Rate
        • 8.9 Reopned Incident Rate
        • 8.10 Backlog Management
        • 8.11 Percentage of hierarchic escalations
        • 8.21 Percentage of Functional Escalations copy
        • 8.23 Average incident resolution time by priority
        • 8.24 Average request fulfilment time by priority
        • 8.25 Average resolution time by incident category
        • 8.26 Average fulfilment time by service request type
        • 8.27 Comparison of service level targets to performance
        • 8.28 Service Desk Knowledge Usage
        • 8.29 Customer Facing Knowledge Usage
        • 8.30 Service Desk Knowledge Quality and effectiveness
        • 8.31 Customer facing knowledge quality and effectiveness
        • 8.33 Monitoring Incidents caused by changes measured against target
        • 8.34 Total cost of service delivery
        • 8.35 Average cost per incident by channel
        • 8.36 Average cost per service request by channel
        • 8.43 Problem records created through proactive problem management
        • 8.44 Incident reduction through problem management
      • Install SDI Reporting Pack
      • Dashboards and Reports (.sydx Files)
      • Connecting to Other Data Sources
      • Sample SQL Queries
      • Migrating your Syncfusion Dashboards to a New Server
    • FAQ
      • Limited Support/End of Life Capabilities
        • Configuration Portability
          • Overview & Best Practices
          • Porting Configuration Data
          • Viewing the Export and Import Logs
        • Server Console
          • Accessing the Server Console
          • Creating a New ASM System
          • Server Console system tasks
          • Customization nodes
          • SQL Server and Table Ownership
          • Updating Scripts
          • ASM Core Registry Keys
        • Concurrent Licensing
          • License Corrals
        • Alemba Classic API
          • Programming with the Classic API
            • WCF Client
          • Code Examples
          • Return Values
          • API Message Types
          • API Lookups
          • API Transactions
            • Availability Transactions
            • Call Transactions
            • CMDB Item Transactions
            • Contract Transactions
            • Cost Center Transactions
            • Jurisdiction Transactions
            • Location Transactions
            • Organization Transactions
            • Person Transactions
            • Subscriber Group Transactions
            • Knowledge Transactions
            • Bulletin Transactions
            • System Transactions
              • Session Transactions
              • Add Note Transactions
              • Attribute Transactions
              • Development Transactions
              • Message Transactions
              • Object Transactions
              • Stakeholder Transactions
            • Workflow Transactions
              • Workflow (Request) Transactions
              • Task Transactions
          • API Classes
          • API WSTester Application
      • Configuration or Customization
  • Integrate
    • Integration Overview
    • Managing Integration
      • Setting Up the Integration Platform
        • Defining Connectors
        • Defining Sources
        • Configuring an Integration Source
        • Resource Mapping
        • Defining Property Transforms
        • Defining Profile Maps
        • Defining Resolution Rules
        • Defining Link Type Mapping
      • Single Sign-On using SAML
        • Integrated Security vs. Single Sign On
        • Technical and Access Requirements
        • Configuring ASM for Single Sign-On
        • Importing Identity Provider Metadata
        • Service Provider Signing Certificate
        • Configuring the Service Provider
        • Exporting Service Provider Metadata
        • Importing Service Provider metadata into the Identity Provider
        • SSO Troubleshooting
        • SSL Binding
        • Creating a Self Signed Certificate
        • Extending the Single Sign-On Connector
      • Configuring Azure Active Directory discovery
      • Azure Multi-factor Authentication
      • Viewing Integration Activity
        • Viewing Integration Log
      • Connectors to ASM Core
        • Connector Matrix
        • Installing Connectors
        • CMDB Connectors
          • Altiris Network Discovery Connector
          • CA Cohesion Connector
          • Centennial Discovery/FrontRange Connector
          • EMC Smarts NCM Connector
            • Service Assurance Manager Connector
          • LANDESK Connector
          • Microsoft Azure Connector
          • Microsoft SCOM Connector
          • Microsoft SMS and SCCM Connector
          • Snow Connector
          • SolarWinds Connector
          • VMware Application Discovery Manager Connector
          • VMware vCenter Configuration Manager Connector
          • VMware vCloud Director Connector
          • vRealize Orchestrator Connector
        • LDAP Connectors to ASM Core
          • Microsoft Active Directory Server Connector
          • Novell eDirectory Server Connector
        • Generic Connectors to ASM Core
          • Email Event Connector
          • External Process Connector
          • Stored Procedure Connector
          • ASM to ASM Connector
          • Jira Connector
            • Developer Notes for the Jira ICNF
          • CSV File Connector
          • MS Azure DevOps Connector
          • Connector Suite for MS SQL Server Tables
          • Resource Databases Connector
            • Tutorial for Configuring the Database Resources Connector
        • Microsoft Alemba ITSM Connector
      • Build your Own Connector
        • Microsoft Entra ID (Azure Active Directory) - Connector Builder
        • Microsoft Intune - Connector Builder
      • Managing the Federated CMDB
        • Managing Scheduled Integration Scans
        • Auditing Configuration Items
      • Managing External Resources
      • Selecting Fields for Mapping
      • Managing Inbound and Outbound Actions
        • Configuring Inbound and Outbound Actions
          • Configuring Outbound Actions
            • Using Outbound Actions
          • Configuring Inbound Actions
        • Inbound or Outbound Action Source Parameters
      • Managing Events
        • Configuring Event Management
          • Event Management Source Parameters
          • Viewing Event Types
          • Managing Event Type Mappings
        • Using Events
      • Webhooks
        • Webhook Payloads
      • Canvas App Widgets
      • Microsoft Teams Chat Integration
      • Microsoft Project Integration
      • Connector Diagnostics
    • API's
      • Alemba RestFul API
        • Alemba API Architecture
        • Installing the Alemba API
        • Logging In to the Alemba API Explorer
        • Navigating the Alemba API Explorer
        • Alemba API Programmers’ Guide
        • Alemba API Programmers' Cookbook
          • Recipes
        • Alemba API Related Database Tables
        • Using API Reporting Views
        • Authentication
          • Configuring Authentication for the Alemba API
          • Configuring Windows Authentication for the Alemba API
          • Configuring Single Sign On using SAML for the Alemba API
      • Azure/ Web API/Logic Apps
      • ASM API Quick Reference Guide
        • Getting Started: The ClientId
        • Postman for Testing
        • Search for Existing Calls
        • Locking and Updating Calls
        • Creating New Calls
  • Earlier Versions of ASM
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On this page
  • Functionality
  • Connector Details
  • Connector Installation
  • vCM Database Preparation
  • Maintenance
  • ASM Core Server Preparation
  • Connection Source Creation
  • SQL Server Authentication
  • Integrated Windows Authentication
  • Incident Management
  • Resource Types
  • Machine
  • Recommended Configuration
  • Resources
  • Software License Management
  • Resource Types
  • Link Types
  • Recommended Configuration
  • Links
  • Change Management
  • Event Types
  • Outbound Actions
  • Input Parameters
  • Output Parameters
  • Error Handling
  • Recommended Configuration
  • Modeling your Change Management Process
  • Mapping RFC Events
  • Approving / Denying Changes

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  2. Managing Integration
  3. Connectors to ASM Core
  4. CMDB Connectors

VMware vCenter Configuration Manager Connector

This section of the documentation contains technical information on the ASM Core to VMware vCenter Configuration Manager Connector.

Alemba is currently reviewing and updating the whole of the connector section, including all subsections. Expect this section to be updated by end of June, 2025.

Including:

  • The name of the .NET assembly file

  • The connection methodology

  • The resource and link types that can be discovered

  • The events that are generated

  • The actions that can be called under workflow control

For compatibility and version support details, refer to the ASM Connector Matrix.

You should familiarize yourself with the information in Installing Connectors before installing any connectors, and read the Integration topics for more information on how to configure them.

Functionality

The VMware vCenter Configuration Manager connector allows organizations to enhance the following processes:

  • Incident Management. Automatically discover machine resources into the ASM Core Federated CMDB for the purposes of incident classification, reporting, and routing.

  • Asset Management. Automatically discover installed software into the ASM Core Federated CMDB for the purposes of comparing the actual deployments of software with software license assignments.

  • Change Management. Automatically enforce the initiation of a formal Change Management process in ASM Core whenever a server administrator attempts to roll out changes (eg: Windows service packs or security bulletins) using VMware vCenter Configuration Manager.

Connector Details

Information fields

Description

Connector

VMware vCenter Configuration Manager <-> ASM Core

ASM Core

v10 and above

Third-party application

VMware vCenter Configuration Manager

Assembly

Infra.Connector.vCM.dll

Configuration file

Infra.Connector.vCM.icnf

Connection methodology

Database

Connector Installation

The steps below detail how to install the connector.

  1. Download the connector zip package, save it in a temporary directory then unzip it.

  2. The unzip folder should contain 4 sub-folders: Bin, Config, Doc, and vCM Scripts.

vCM Database Preparation

A number of operations must be performed against the vCM database server as part of the connector installation. These operations must be performed by an account that is a database owner of the target database catalog such that any objects created in these steps should be created in the “dbo” schema.

Some of these operations are performed by shipped database script files (*.sql). Others should be performed by the SQL Server administration interface.

The connector connects solely to the main vCM database catalog. By default this will be called “VCM”; in some upgraded environments this may be “SCM” or “ECM”.

vCM utilizes additional database catalogs with suffixed names e.g.“VCM_Unix” and “VCM_Coll”. The database account used by the connector requires some access to one of these, the “Unix” database. However, the connector will never connect to this database directly.

  1. Copy the contents of the vCM Scripts directory to your vCM database server.

  2. Login to the SQL Server administration interface as an administrator.

  3. Create a dedicated database login for the ASM connector.

  4. On the main database catalog:

    • Run the provided SQL script Create_vSM_Connector_Objects.sql. (This creates the stored procedure used by the connector.)

    • Run the provided SQL script Grant_vSM_Connector_Access_Main.sql. (This creates the vSM_Connector database role and assigns it permissions.)

    • Add the dedicated login as a user to the catalog

    • Add the user as a member to the database role vSM_Connector.

    • Run the provided SQL script Enable_vCM_Integration.sql. (This enables vCM to create RFC events.)

  5. On the “Unix” database catalog:

    • Run the provided SQL script Grant_vSM_Connector_Access_Unix.sql.

    • Run the provided SQL script Grant_vSM_Connector_Access_Unix.sql. (This creates the vSM_Connector database role and assigns it permissions.)

    • Add the dedicated login as a user to the catalog

    • Add the user as a member to the database role vSM_Connector.

Maintenance

If required at a later date, RFC events can be disabled by running the database script Disable_vCM_Integration.sql.

ASM Core Server Preparation

  1. Copy the contents of the bin and config directories to the following locations on the ASM Core server:

File Name
Target Location(s)

bin / Infra.Connector.vCM.dll

< ASM Root>

<Target System>/bin

config / Infra.Connector.vCM.icnf

<Target System>/config

config / Infra.Connector.vCM.Install.scp

2. In the ASM Core Server Console, execute the SQL script Infra.Connector.vCM.Install.scp against the target system.

Restart the following Windows services:

  • The World Wide Web Publishing Service

  • The ASM Connector Service

Connection Source Creation

When creating a new VMware vCenter Configuration Manager source from the Source option of the Integration Platform, some specific parameters have to be entered as follows:

DB Connection String

Identifies the database server and catalog using an ADO.NET Native SQL Server Client connection string, minus explicit credentials.

E.g. Server=server-host-name-instance-name;Database=vCM

DB User ID

The login id of the database user assigned to ASM Core.

DB Password

The password of the database user.

Two modes of authentication against the database are supported:

  • SQL Server Authentication

  • Integrated Windows Authentication

SQL Server Authentication

In SQL Server Authentication the connector uses the credentials of a user created within the database. In this scenario, the credentials of that user are specified within the “DB User ID” and “DB Password” parameters.

Integrated Windows Authentication

In Integrated Windows Authentication the connector is authenticated using the credentials of a Windows account granted permission to the database. When this method is used the “DB User ID” and “DB Password” parameters are ignored and should be left blank. Instead, connector is authenticated using the account of the executing process. To use this mode of authentication:

  1. The “DB Connection String” parameter requires an addition suffix, “;Integrated Security=SSPI”. E.g. Server=server-name;Database=main;Integrated Security=SSPI Where main is the name of the main database (see previous explanations about main vCM database).

  2. The following processes must be configured to execute using a Windows account with the prerequisite database permissions.

    • The IIS Application Pool used by the ASM Core virtual directory (directories)

    • The various ASM Core Windows services

A common mistake users make when configuring Integrated Windows Authentication is to only configure the account for one of the required processes. If the IIS Application Pool is configured with the correct account but the ASM Core Windows services are not, users may be confused as the connection will succeed within main application but background tasks such as scheduled FCMDB scans will fail.

Incident Management

The VMware vCenter Configuration Manager connector allows you to populate your Federated CMDB with machines (ie: physical servers, virtual servers, desktops, and laptops) for the purposes of incident classification, reporting, and routing.

Resource Types

Machine

A resource that represents a single computer.

Field
Data Type

Machine ID

Int

Machine Name

String

Domain Name

String

Manufacturer

String

Model

String

Primary User

String

Primary User NT Domain

String

Primary User NT Login

String

Last Rebooted

date/time

Is Managed by vCM

Boolean

Is VM

Boolean

OS Name

string

OS Vendor

string

OS Version

string

Time Zone

string

Machine Type

string

Recommended Configuration

Resources

We recommend that you:

  • Create a Machine CMDB Item Type and design a screen for it.

  • Create a Machine Template Eg:\

  • Set up a resource mapping in the Integration Platform to map vCM Machine resources and attributes onto ASM Core Machine CIs. The key fields to consider mapping are:

ASM Core Machine CI Attribute

Possible sources from the vCM Machine Resource

Ref

Machine ID

Title

Machine Name

User

The connector dissects the “Primary User” field published by vCM into NT Domain and User ID components. These are provided to enable you to derive the “User” field of an imported Configuration Item using a Resolution Rule. If the ASM System is also integrated with Active Directory, these dissected fields can be matched to the “NT Domain Name” and “NT User ID” of an imported User. The criteria for such a resolution rule should be defined as follows:

{Person:NT Account Name} = {Resource:Primary User NT User Login}

AND {Person:NT Domain Name} = {Resource:Primary User NT Domain Name}

The “Primary User” presented by vCM may not necessarily correspond to the “User”, or may not be populated at all. If this is a concern, use discrepancy reporting on this field to monitor changes to this value.

You may also consider mapping other attributes such as Manufacturer, Model, OS Vendor, OS Name, and OS Version which can be useful for incident diagnosis, routing, and reporting purposes.

Software License Management

The VMware vCenter Configuration Manager connector allows you to populate your Federated CMDB with the software actually installed on each machine. This is intended to be used in conjunction with the Asset Management capabilities of ASM Core, which are used to maintain your inventory of software licenses and their current assignments. By comparing the software actually installed on machines with the current license assignments, you can determine whether you are under or over licensed.

Resource Types

Windows Software

A resource that represents a specific minor version of a Windows software product that is installed on one or more machines.

Field

Data Type

Product Key

String

Product Name

String

Product Version

String

Major Version

String

Minor Version

String

Publisher

string

Unix Software

A resource that represents a specific minor version of a UNIX software product that is installed on one or more machines.

Field

Data Type

Product Key

string

Product Name

string

Product Version

string

Major Version

string

Minor Version

string

Long Name

string

Description

String

Category

String

Link Types

Windows Software Installed On

A relationship between a Machine resource and a Windows Software resource indicating that the software is installed on that machine.

Resource Type A
Machine

Resource Type B

Windows Software

Field
Data Type

Date Installed

date/time

Date Collected

date/time

Date Last Used

date/time

Frequency

string

Install Source

string

Unix Software Installed On

A relationship between a Machine resource and a UNIX Software resource indicating that the software is installed on that machine.

Resource Type A
Machine

Resource Type B

Unix Software

Field
Data Type

Date Installed

date/time

Date Collected

date/time

Date Last Used

date/time

Recommended Configuration

Resources

It is recommended to either:

  • Store both Windows and UNIX software in the in-built Software Product CMDB Item type.

  • Create separate descendent CMDB Item Types for Windows Software and UNIX Software.

It is recommended to map the VCM Resource attribute Product Name to the ASM Core Configuration Item attribute Title.

There are three possible ways to manage versions of software products in the CMDB as follows:

  • Each software product is stored as a single Configuration Item. To support this scenario, set up a Matching Rule based on:

  • Product Name

  • Each major version of a software product is stored as a single Configuration Item. To support this scenario, add a Major Version attribute to your CMDB Item and set up a Matching Rule based on:

    • Product Name

    • Major Version

  • Each minor version of a Software Product is stored as a single Configuration Item. To support this scenario, add Major Version and Minor Version attributes to your CMDB Item and set up a Matching Rule based on:

    • Product Name

    • Major Version

    • Minor Version

The appropriate approach should be determined based on the granularity of tracking desired. By setting up Criteria in combination with Matching Rules it is possible to track different Software Products at different levels. As per any kind of matching configuration in ASM Core, users are advised to regulate ambiguous and non-matching resources to ensure flawed data is handled sensibly.

Links

It is recommended that the Installed On links be imported using a special link type such as:

  • Category should be set to Summary. A single machine may have a large number of software products installed; similarly, a single software product may be installed on a very large number of machines. Therefore, rendering software installations in a CMDB linking can greatly reduce the readability of the CMDB Linking diagram and obfuscate those relationships that should be clearly visible in the diagram. This configuration is used to hide software installations on the diagram allowing more significant impact relationships to be more clearly presented.

  • Principal should be set to the CMDB Item Type of the machine CMDB Items imported from vCM, or a common ancestor thereof. This could be as simple as Configuration Item. Optionally, it can be helpful to specify a descriptive role name for Principal such as Installed On.

  • Summarized should be set to Software Product or whatever descendent type is being assigned to your software product CMDB Items imported from vCM. Optionally, it can be helpful to specify a descriptive role name for Summarized such as Installed Software.\

Change Management

The VMware vCenter Configuration Manager connector allows you to automatically enforce the initiation of a formal Change Management process in ASM Core whenever a server administrator attempts to roll out changes (eg: Windows service packs or security bulletins) using VMware vCenter Configuration Manager.

Event Types

RFC Event

An RFC Event represents a notification that a job has been created within vCM to affect some change in the environment that needs to be approved in order to proceed.

The event type exposes the following fields:

Field
Data Type
Description

RFC Event GUID

String

The unique identifier of the job with VCM.

Notes

String

Any notes the VCM administrator has entered to describe the change.

Type

String

The type of job as characterized by VCM.

Run Now

Boolean

A flag indicating whether the VCM administrator plans to run the job immediately or not.

Run Time

date/time

The date/time at which the VCM administrator plans to run the job.

Machine CIs

Reference to zero or more Machine resources

The list of machines that will be impacted by the job, for impact analysis purposes.

Machine CI Ids

String

A textual representation of above.

Event ID

String

The ASM Core request/call ID (will be automatically updated by the connector).

RFC No

String

The ASM Core RFC number (will be automatically updated by the connector).

RFC Status

String

The status of the job. Will initially be “Pending” when the event is received.

Outbound Actions

The two Outbound Actions published by the connector are:

  • Approve Change. This action allows a change (as identified by a previous event) to proceed.

  • Deny Change. This action stops a change (as identified by a previous event) from proceeding.

Both actions have the same parameters as follows:

Input Parameters

Field
Data Type

RFC Event GUID

string

RFC No

string

RFC Status

String

RFC Notes

String

Output Parameters

The same fields exposed during receipt of the initial event are available as parameters from actions.

Error Handling

All outbound actions in the connector are attempted synchronously, with one of the following three outcomes possible:

Success

Outbound Action tasks that are created and complete successfully will activate the Completion branch of the workflow.

Failure to Create

Outbound Action tasks that cannot be created due to a soft error (for example, if they cannot connect to the VCM database), will remain active and open. Such tasks will be subject to the retry and email notification parameters as defined in the connection source.

Failure to Complete

Outbound Action tasks that cannot be completed due to a hard error (for example, if the GUID field is not mapped), will cause the Not Completed branch of the workflow. Possible completion errors are:

  • RFC Event GUID Not Mapped

  • RFC Event GUID Empty

  • RFC Event GUID Invalid

Recommended Configuration

At a high level, the steps involved in setting up Change Management are as follows:

  1. Configure vCM Service Desk Integration. See the vCM documentation for details.

  2. Model your Change Management process using the ASM Core Workflow Template Administration.

  3. Map RFC Events through to your process using the ASM Core Integration Platform.

  4. Add Outbound Actions tasks to your process to Approve / Deny changes in vCM.

Modeling your Change Management Process

Your Change Management process should be modeled using the ASM Core Workflow Template Administration. A simple Change Management process can be seen below:

Create a Screen Set for your change process, and add the following extension fields to it. Display these fields as read only fields in your Request Details screen within that Screen Set.

Field
Data Type

VCM GUID

Text

VCM Notes

Text Area

VCM Type

Text

VCM Run Now

Checkbox

VCM Run Date Time

Date

Mapping RFC Events

The ASM Core Integration Platform should be used to map the receipt of vCM RFC Events onto the initiation of a request:

All other Incoming Transactions should be configured to Take No Action as follows:

It is recommended to set up the following incoming field mappings:

ASM Core Request Attribute
VCM Event Source
Update

VCM GUID

RFC Event GUID

Always

VCM Notes

Notes

Always

VCM Type

Type

Always

VCM Run Now

Run Now

Always

VCM Run Date Time

Run Time

Always

Request CIs

Machine CIs

Always

The mapping of the GUID is important as this is needed to approve or deny the change. The mapping of the Machine CIs is important as it allows impact analysis to be performed.

Approving / Denying Changes

At appropriate points in your ASM Core Change Management process, you should insert Outbound Action tasks that approve or deny changes. The only important field to map is the RFC Event GUID as follows:

The RFC No field will be automatically populated with the ASM Core request number (eg: Request#123). It is possible to overwrite this default format by providing an alternative mapping for this field (eg: RFC352).

The RFC Notes field can also optionally be mapped to pass additional information back to vCM.

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Prepare the vCM Database. See .

Prepare the ASM Core Server. See .

Configure a Connection Source. See .

vCM Database Preparation
ASM Core Server Preparation
Connection Source Creation