This comment from a colleague in Texas intrigued me:

spiceworks rocks! we installed it for the helpdesk (an absolutely awesome tool), but it has other great features. it’s inventory application constantly scans the network. it picks up all of the workstations, servers, printers, switches, ap’s, etc. it gives info on mac, serial number, and even picks up error messages from the hardware. it also has a monitoring feature that lets you set up spiceworks to watch for specific network occurrences.

oh, and did i mention: it’s FREE!

But what IS Spiceworks? You can watch this video and get more information.

And, from it’s web site:

Spiceworks combines everything you need to manage IT in one easy-to-use application:

• Software inventory, network inventory, PC inventory. Inventory every IT thing you manage.
• Network monitoring, Exchange monitoring, license monitoring and more. Stay alert!
• Asset reporting, inventory reporting… share a report. Report to your heart’s content!
• Helpdesk & IT Portal. Let ’em submit a ticket! Now you can track every IT task and project.

Find out more at http://spiceworks.com and/or read this press release.

Another testimonial:

It is the single most used piece of software we use.  Without it there is no way we could manage this network with only two people.  The trouble ticket system is incredible and runs on any android device.  Remote management of desktops is a breeze and the inventory system is better than the highest end solutions I have used in the aerospace industry.  One of the few products I will give my 100% endorsement and its free! Integration is a snap and it was designed by techs so it makes sense to techs.  It’s like having three other techs on staff.  Your users can correspond with you on the trouble tickets so you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to call and let them know you ordered the part.  The end user can see all work and schedules wherever and whenever.  The coolest thing is you can setup reports for your principals so they can keep up to date with problems that there staff is having without you having to go crazy because they left it to the very last minute before there meeting with the super to ask for the information.  They can see the status any time they like.  I can’t tell you how incredible Spiceworks is you have to see it for yourself.  Oh yea , added plus, you can now do all your ordering and track P.Os within the admin console. All kinds of plugins available from every vendor.  Network mapping and discovery built in.  I could go on and on. Easy to use and easy to install.

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Everything posted on Miguel Guhlin’s blogs/wikis are his personal opinion and do not necessarily represent the views of his employer(s) or its clients. Read Full Disclosure