Enhance Management Of Windows Devices With AssetSonar’s Microsoft SCCM Integration

SCCM is the leading software management suite provided by Microsoft that enables IT-intensive enterprises to manage a large number of Windows-based computers. It features a remote control, patch management, operating system deployment, network protection, and various other services.

How do you benefit from this integration? The AssetSonar Microsoft SCCM integration facilitates a one-way mass import of Windows devices from SCCM into the AssetSonar database. You can fetch configuration and installed software data regarding all your Windows devices from SCCM, and save time and manual effort.

Note: The Windows devices must be client-installed to be imported into AssetSonar.

We support all the latest versions of Microsoft SCCM, including version 1902.

Contents

1. Benefits of AssetSonar’s Microsoft SCCM Integration
2. [How-to] integrate with Microsoft SCCM
   Step 1: Enable the integration
   Step 2: Install AssetSonar’s SCCM Connector 
   Step 3: Launch the SCCM Desktop App
   Step 4: Import IT Assets
3. Syncing data
4. Database Security
5. Troubleshooting

1. Benefits of AssetSonar’s Microsoft SCCM Integration

Our integration with Microsoft SCCM offers convenience to all IT professionals at the helm of dedicated device management. Here are the benefits:

1. Centralized ITAM database: AssetSonar imports data from various device and server management solutions, including SCCM and Jamf. This way, you have a consolidated database of both Windows and Apple devices used within your enterprise. You can manage them all from a single space.
2. Faster issue resolution: It further integrates with ITSM solutions like Zendesk and Jira. You can access all your Windows devices from within ITSM solutions, view IT asset checkout and vendor details to speed up ticketing and issue resolution processes.
3. Non-intrusive device management: AssetSonar reduces security risk and facilitates non-intrusive device management by importing data from the Microsoft SCCM application installed on the SQL servers within your enterprise.

2. [How-to] integrate with Microsoft SCCM

Let’s walk you through some basic steps on how to use the Microsoft SCCM integration!

Step 1: Enable the integration

To enable the integration, follow the pathway: Settings → Add Ons → SCCM Integration and select ‘Enabled’. Hit ‘Update’.

This action reveals additional settings below.

1. AssetSonar’s SCCM Connector: To proceed, download the Connector.
2. Unique Agent Tag: You will need to enter this Agent Tag into a dialogue box when prompted.

This downloads the Connector application as an MSI file into your ‘Downloads’ folder as shown:

Step 2: Install AssetSonar’s SCCM Connector

Next, carry out the following actions to install the SCCM Connector.

1. Right-click on the SCCM Connector icon and click ‘Install’.

2. Run the file.

3. This action will prompt open an installation wizard for SCCM Desktop Application as shown:

Click ‘Next’ for all the stages and ‘Close’ the wizard when the installation is complete.

The SCCM Desktop Application is now installed on your Windows device. Here’s how it looks like:

Step 3: Launch the SCCM Desktop App

Next, you must integrate your AssetSonar account with the SCCM application used by your business. To do this, launch the SCCM Desktop Application you just installed.

Go to your Desktop, open the SCCM Desktop App. Allow the app to make changes to your device.

This will pop open a dialogue box with the following options:

1. Integrate via SQL Credentials
2. Integrate via Windows Credentials

Step 3.1. Integrating via SQL Credentials

This is useful when you have the SCCM application installed on a remote SQL server database and AssetSonar’s SCCM Connector installed on a separate Windows device.

Configure the details as illustrated below:

Step 3.2. Integrating via Windows Credentials

You can integrate using Windows Credentials when both the SCCM application and SCCM Connector have been installed on the same Windows device.

The system automatically pulls up the login ID and password of the Windows device that you’re using. All other fields have the same value as in Step 3.1.

Hit ‘Continue’. Once your connection is successful, the system will pop open an overlay.

Step 4: Import IT assets

You can now import devices from your SCCM application. To do this, specify the Agent Tag value from Step 1 in the overlay and click ‘OK’.

The system will analyze your SCCM data and alert you via an email when the IT assets have been imported into your AssetSonar account. All the installed software data on these IT assets will also be imported into AssetSonar. This includes a CSV file that lists all the IT assets that have been successfully imported.

You can verify whether the IT assets listed in the CSV have been imported by going to Items → Assets. You can also fetch all the items imported from SCCM by creating a custom report which identifies SCCM as the ‘source’ of externally discovered devices.

You can also map the BIOS serial number of a discovered IT asset to the AIN of an existing asset as follows:

3. Syncing data

The system runs automatic sync after every 24 hours so that your data is always up-to-date.

You can also schedule syncs to occur after intervals of your preference. To do this, go to Settings → Add Ons → SCCM Integration and specify the interval of your choosing between SCCM syncs.

4. Database Security

If you have security concerns that accessing your database through SCCM will open up your network and create a gateway for cyber attacks, then you can create a user with restricted permissions to ensure that only relevant information is fetched from your database. While importing devices from your SCCM application, open your database and click on ‘View’ as shown below:

Clicking on ‘View’ will further allow you to select Permissions on the relevant database view as shown below:

You can easily grant selected permissions on these views and deny the rest of the permissions. AssetSonar uses the following:

• V_R_SYSTEM
• V_RA_SYSTEM_IPAddresses
• V_RA_SYSTEM_MacAddresses
• V_GS_Processor
• V_GS_Operating_System
• V_GS_PC_BIOS
• V_GS_Computer_System
• V_GS_Logical_Disk
• V_GS_Disk
• V_ADD_REMOVE_PROGRAMS
• V_GS_SCSI_CONTROLLER
• V_GS_IDE_CONTROLLER
• V_GS_USB_CONTROLLER
• V_AgentDiscoveries
• V_GS_Network_Adapter
• V_GS_Printer_Device
• V_GS_Encryptable_Volume

By granting selected permissions, you can ensure that no user can perform any malicious action on the database.

5. Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues with our SCCM integration, go to C Drive → ProgramData → AssetSonar and open the file ‘yyyymmsccmapp’ in your Windows device. This log file lists all the issues in the SCCM integration, should they occur. Email the log file to support@ezo.io and we’ll take care of the rest for you.

Read more: Enhance Your Apple Device Management With AssetSonar’s Jamf Pro Integration

Discover more with our additional out-of-the-box integrations

• Jamf Pro
• Microsoft Intune
• Google Endpoint Management
• Open-AudIT

Have any questions?

AssetSonar is a powerful IT Asset Management tool used by IT-intensive organizations and businesses all over the globe.

For more assistance, drop us an email at support@ezo.io.