This table controls the basic configuration item information that may be provides a method of standardizing by model the information used within an individual configuration item. It holds records that define details of the CI Type, CI Subtype, Vendor, Manufacturer, specific model numbers, pricing, and so on. Configuration Items that are based on catalog items link in the item on which the CI is based to prepopulate all of that information for a single CI.
Use Case
Catalog Items can be created and edited by members of the admin, admin import, and configuration manager groups. It is expected that the Configuration Managers will be responsible for maintaining the catalog information.The form contains the following fields:
The list of CI Subtypes is held in a separate CI Subtypes table and is filtered once the CI Type is selected to only the subtypes associated with that type. The Latest Unit Price gives an idea of the latest pricing for the item. Rules could be set up configured to push the price paid when a service request purchase is completed an item requested record is updated with the current price into this record to keep it updated as purchases are made.
Configuration Items Use of Catalog Items
Catalog Items are pulled into CI's, as shown below. When setting up a new configuration item, the user selects the CI Type, and then the CI Subtype, and optionally enters the Manufacturer. If the CI Subtype is used with catalog items, then the user chooses a matching Catalog Item Name/Number from the available items. The catalog items are filtered based on a match of CI Type and , CI Subtype, and Manufacturer, and once selected, their details are pulled into the CI record. If the catalog item has a preferred vendor, it is auto-populated into the Vendor field in the configuration item, but it can be modified.
Automation
There is no automation on the Catalog Items table. It is purely a background table.