Overview

Variance refers to the difference between the expected or planned state of an asset and its actual state. It can encompass various aspects such as hardware configurations, software versions, licensing information, physical locations, and other attributes that define an asset. Variance management is important for maintaining accuracy, compliance, and operational efficiency within the organization's infrastructure.  

This process involves defining the key attributes to monitor, including hardware specifications and software licensing versions. These attributes serve as the foundation for effective variance management.

Why is Variance configuration important?

🎯 Accuracy and Compliance: Variance ensures asset tracking, adhering to licensing agreements, regulations, and internal policies.
💰 Cost Management: Variance analysis identifies discrepancies, aiding in cost control and minimizing unnecessary expenditures.
🔐 Risk Mitigation: Variance detection helps mitigate security risks by pinpointing disparities in asset configurations.
🖥️  Resource Optimization: Variance analysis aids in efficient resource allocation by identifying underutilized assets and overprovisioned resources.
📝  Decision Making: Accurate variance data informs strategic decisions on asset procurement, retirement, and allocation.

Hardware Variance

Hardware Variance refers to the differences in hardware properties between the latest Asset Discovery Data and the Asset Management Data. By using Hardware Variance, Asset Managers can compare the most recent asset discovery information with the existing asset management records. This allows them to update the Asset Management Data or identify unauthorized hardware upgrades or additions. The Asset Discovery Data represents the most current information discovered about an asset.

Example

If a laptop's processor is upgraded from an i5 to i7 and this upgrade is not reflected in the Asset Management Data, a Hardware Variance for the processor will be identified in the latest Asset Discovery. Asset Managers can then update the Asset Management Data with this new information. Consequently, in the next asset discovery, the Hardware Variance will no longer be displayed.

Software Variance

Software Variance represents the differences in software properties between the Actual Inventory Data (based on the most recent asset scan) and the Asset Management Data (the last updated asset management records). Using Software Variance, Asset Managers can compare the latest Actual Inventory Data with the Asset Management Data to identify and record new software installations or updated software versions on assets. The Actual Inventory Data is the most recently discovered information about an asset.

Asset Managers can also detect unauthorized or flagged software installations.

Example

If a user updates the software version on an asset, this change is detected during the asset discovery scan. The variance in the version number is displayed by the application, allowing Asset Managers to verify it against the Asset Management Data and update the records accordingly.

Asset Manager can then decide to either uninstall the unauthorized application or update the Asset Management Data. If a software listed as a warning asset is installed by a user, it will be highlighted as a Software Variance.

Now that we've covered the basics of Variance, let's take a closer look at how to configure it in detail. 

View Variance

To view Variance, perform the following steps:

1. Navigate to Asset Management > Manage Asset > Variance. The Variance List page is displayed.

   

   Figure: Variance List page
   

2. Click the required Asset Code hyperlink to check the hardware and software variance details.

   

   Figure: Asset Variance pop-up - Hardware variance details
   

   

   Figure: Asset Variance pop-up - Software variance details
   

3. You can filter the variance view with View Type options.

   

   Figure: View Type options

Field Description

This table contains the list of fields and their descriptions that are available under the Variance List page:

Field	Description
	Specifies the variance type. Hardware Variance Software Variance
Asset Code	Asset Code is a unique alphanumeric identifier assigned to assets in the inventory. It prominently displays the assigned code, where the first two letters denote the asset type.
Tenant	Displays the Tenant to which the asset belongs.
Model	Displays the Model name of the asset.
Serial Number	Displays the unique identifier assigned to the asset for tracking and management.
Hostname	Displays the Hostname of the asset.
Created On	Displays the date and time on which the configuration is created.