I often think the two types of inventory are confusing to newcomers, in as much as what they are called. A lot of it comes from the original SMS 1.x, where the descriptions were more accurate in those days. I often explain that:- Software Inventory - Should really be called File Inventory, as it scans for files matching a certain criteria. It doesn't necessarily have to be software though. Hardware Inventory - Should really be called Configuration Inventory, since it returns more than just hardware items, but also OS related items e.g. registry values, service configuration, and of course Add/Remove Programs data. Regards, Tom Watson, E-Mail: Tom_...@... Blog: http://myitforum.com/cs2/blogs/tom_watson

Hello, I'm trying to get a grasp on the software installed on clients in my environment. Currently on SCCM 2007 SP2. A single site server with all roles, and 2 bdps. I do not have the software inventory client agent configured for file collection, so if i try to run a report say Software 01A-Summary of installed software in a specific collection, nothing populates. Would someone be able to point me in the right direction to be able to get this accomplished? Thanks!

Wow ok that makes much more sense, I see that I can also get more specific with editing the MOF files if need be but I think the defaults under asset intelligence should be a great start. Thanks for the help everyone. That blog is really nice and I will refer to it in the future. :)

First of all, forget, completely wipe it from your mind, the "File Collection" tab. that is very, very rarely used. Ever. The "Inventory Collection" tab, sure. that's the right one to configure. For *files* inventory. It's a common misconception that "Software Inventory" pulls in information regarding the contents of Add/Remove Programs. I know it seems illogical, but it's Hardware Inventory that actually reports on Registry Key information, which is where Add/Remove Programs originates. On top of that, the report you mentioned specifically, that data is generated from having optional Asset Intelligence classes enabled. I suspect you don't have those enabled, because you would have had to specifically enable them (or your predecesor did). Here's what I suggest, for that specific report, look at the Inventory wiki, specifically the section on enabling Asset Intelligence classes: http://www.myitforum.com/myitwiki/SCCMINV.ashx#10 Do NOT enable every option. Hover over each choice, and determine whether or not you need the reports as mentioned by the popup information. If you do, enable those specific radio buttons. Save your changes. Then you will have to wait a while for your computers to report their next Hardware Inventory action. Regarding Hinv, check your client agent settings for Hinv. You may still have that set at the default of Weekly. You may want to change it to Simple, daily. Almost every environment in the world can handle daily Hinv. (It's daily sinv that can be a problem, sometimes, to clients)Standardize. Simplify. Automate.