Configuration Management
Configuration management is the control of changes made to all hardware and software configurations. ITSM describes these as configuration items (CI) and can include configuration settings and policies, user accounts and access permissions. Most IT organizations recognize the need to implement a comprehensive Configuration Management Database (CMDB) to assist their quest in improving service quality. However, even though CMDB technologies are getting more wide spread, not all IT infrastructure has been incorporated into the CMDB, especially older applications, mainframe applications, or even brand new applications that CMDB technologies do not have built-in models.
To complement the CMDB implementations, IT organizations should implement additional technologies, such as TIBCO LogLogic® Log Management Intelligence (LMI), to provide a comprehensive view of all hardware, software and application configuration changes. In addition, many IT organizations recognize that over-bureaucratic change management processes will increase the time it takes to make configuration changes and diminish process effectiveness. To increase efficiency and decrease configuration time, IT organizations are starting to adjust their processes to allow approved standard changes to take place without going through formal change management processes.
However, with this new process, some of the changes will no longer be documented by the change management system. It is crucial that IT organization periodically review all configuration changes to ensure they are appropriate and authorized. Log Intelligence solution can be used to report on all configuration changes, including hardware, software and applications that are not managed by the CMDB technologies. Log Intelligence can also report on all configuration changes so the IT organizations can review and adjust the process as needed.