The two methods for collecting JP1/Software Distribution inventory information are as follows:

• Collect JP1/Software Distribution inventory information changes in real time
• Collect the changes periodically using a task in the Windows Task Scheduler

The figure below shows how these methods register the inventory information collected by JP1/Software Distribution into the asset management database.

Figure 3-3 Registering inventory information into the asset management database

Select one of the methods on the basis of such factors as the version of the linked JP1/Software Distribution and the operating status of the asset management work. Details of the collection methods are provided below.

To collect inventory information:

1. Collect JP1/Software Distribution inventory information changes in real time
   If you use this method to collect inventory information, you can always manage the latest information because whenever a change is made to the information about managed devices, that change is applied to the asset management database in real time.
   To use this method to collect inventory information, the following conditions must be satisfied:
   
   • JP1/Software Distribution Manager 07-50 or later is linked.
     Asset Information Manager's service Asset Information Synchronous Service is used to monitor the inventory information to detect any change. If the inventory information is updated, the corresponding inventory information is acquired.
     
   • JP1/Software Distribution Client 07-50 or later has been installed on the managed device.
     When the inventory information is changed, the JP1/Software Distribution Manager can be automatically notified of the change according to the JP1/Software Distribution Client settings.
     
   • At the JP1/Software Distribution Manager setup, the Save deletion history option is selected.
     You can acquire log information on deleted inventory, such as removed PCs, and change the asset status. For details about how to set the Save deletion history option, see the manual Job Management Partner 1/Software Distribution Setup Guide, for Windows systems.
     
2. Use a Windows Task Scheduler task to reflect changes periodically
   If you use this method to collect inventory information, you can achieve network and asset management server operation with no workload by adjusting the execution timing of the Take inventory task.
   If you link JP1/Software Distribution version earlier than 07-50, you must use this method to collect inventory information.
   

The type of inventory information that can be collected depends on the version of linked JP1/Software Distribution. For details about the information that can be collected from the JP1/Software Distribution inventory information, see 13.1 Inventory information that can be acquired from JP1/Software Distribution.

Deletion of asset information that is not included in the inventory information

Registering inventory information does not automatically delete asset information in the asset management database. However, for network information or installed software information, asset information that is not included in the newly acquired JP1/Software Distribution inventory information is assumed to have been either deleted from the network or uninstalled from a device, and can be deleted. For each device, you can set Auto-deletion setting on the Device Details dialog to specify whether to delete the asset information. For details about Auto-deletion setting, see 2.8.2 Viewing and changing network information (Network tab) or 2.8.3 Viewing and changing installed software assets (Software tab) in the manual Administrator's Guide.