Device asset tracking and service desk using an external network management system as a data source
A system for managing devices associated with an enterprise comprising an internal network device management system configured to interface with a plurality of internal network devices through an application operating on each internal network device that is associated with the internal network device management system, to receive data from each of the internal network devices. An external network device management system configured to interface with a plurality of external network devices through an application operating on each external network device that is associated with the external network device management system, to receive data from each of the external network devices. The internal network device management system is configured to interface with the external network device management system and to receive the data from each of the plurality of external network devices and to generate one or more reports that include the data from the internal network devices and the data from the external network devices.
1. A system for managing devices associated with an enterprise comprising:
an internal network device management system operating on a processor and configured to interface with a plurality of internal network devices over a first network through an application operating on each internal network device that is associated with the internal network device management system, to receive data from each of the internal network devices;
an external network device management system operating on a processor and configured to interface with a plurality of external network devices over a second network through an application operating on each external network device that is associated with the external network device management system, to receive data from each of the external network devices;
wherein coordination between the internal network device management system and the external network device management system is managed by an enterprise device management system; and
wherein the internal network device management system is configured to interface with the external network device management system and to receive the data from each of the plurality of external network devices and to generate one or more reports that include the data from the internal network devices and the data from the external network devices, and wherein the enterprise device management system further comprises an external network device management system interface configured to receive a request to access one of a plurality of external network device management systems from the internal network device management system, to select an application programming interface associated with the external network device management system and to convert the request into a format compatible with the selected application programming interface.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the external network device management system interface further comprises an update timer system configured to request update data for each device associated with one of a plurality of external network device management systems.
3. The system of claim 1 wherein the external network device management system interface further comprises an update timer system configured to request update data for each device associated with a first external network device management system prior to requesting update data for each device associated with a second external network device management system.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the enterprise device management system further comprises a unified reporting and display system configured to assemble reporting data for internal network devices and reporting data for external network devices and to generate a unified display with the internal network device reporting data and the external network device reporting data.
5. The system of claim 1 wherein the external network device management system interface further comprises an administrator access system configured to receive and store configuration data for administrator access to the external network device management system and to utilize the stored configuration data to access the external network device management system.
6. The system of claim 4 wherein the unified reporting system further comprises a plurality of external network application programming interfaces, and wherein the unified reporting system is configured to select one of the plurality of external network application programming interfaces as a function of a selected external network device management system.
7. The system of claim 4 wherein the unified reporting system further comprises a reporting system configured to generate a single report for the plurality of internal network devices and the plurality of external network devices in response to a user selection of one or more of a plurality of device attributes.
8. The system of claim 4 wherein the unified reporting system further comprises a service ticket system configured to track service ticket status from service ticket initiation to service ticket close-out for each of the plurality of internal network devices and the plurality of external network devices.
9. A method for managing devices associated with an enterprise comprising:
interfacing with a plurality of internal network devices through an application operating on each internal network device that is associated with an internal network device management system;
receiving data from each of the internal network devices;
interfacing with a plurality of external network devices through an application operating on each external network device that is associated with the external network device management system;
receiving data from each of the external network devices;
generating one or more reports that include the data from the internal network devices and the data from the external network devices;
transferring data between the internal network device management system and the external network device management system;
receiving a request to access one of a plurality of external network device management systems from the internal network device management system;
selecting an application programming interface associated with the external network device management system; and
converting the request into a format compatible with the selected application programming interface.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising requesting update data for each device associated with one of a plurality of external network device management systems.
11. The method of claim 9 further comprising requesting update data for each device associated with a first external network device management system prior to requesting update data for each device associated with a second external network device management system.
12. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
assembling reporting data for internal network devices and reporting data for external network devices; and
generating a unified display with the internal network device reporting data and the external network device reporting data.
13. The method of claim 9 further comprising:
receiving and storing configuration data for administrator access to the external network device management system; and
utilizing the stored configuration data to access the external network device management system.
14. The method of claim 12 further comprising selecting one of a plurality of external network application programming interfaces as a function of a selected external network device management system.
15. The method of claim 12 further comprising generating a single report for the plurality of internal network devices and the plurality of external network devices in response to a user selection of one or more of a plurality of device attributes.
16. An article of manufacture comprising:
a non-transitory computer-readable medium; and
computer-executable instructions carried on the computer-readable medium, the instructions readable by a processor, the instructions, when read and executed, for causing the processor to:
interface with a plurality of internal network devices through an application operating on each internal network device that is associated with an internal network device management system;
receive data from each of the internal network devices;
interface with a plurality of external network devices through an application operating on each external network device that is associated with the external network device management system;
receive data from each of the external network devices;
generate one or more reports that include the data from the internal network devices and the data from the external network devices;
transfer data between the internal network device management system and the external network device management system;
receive a request to access one of a plurality of external network device management systems from the internal network device management system;
select an application programming interface associated with the external network device management system; and
convert the request into a format compatible with the selected application programming interface.