Summary
Efficient, cost-effective distribution of software reduces total cost of ownership. To plan for it, you first need an accurate inventory of your organization's software and hardware. That will help you gain a clear picture of your current network setup, including network infrastructure, server and workstation operating systems, application environment, and user needs. This chapter explains how to gather that information using Microsoft Systems Management Server.

Included in this chapter:

• How to Accurately Assess Your Workplace's Hardware and Mitigation Factors
• How to Troubleshoot Data Gathering
• How to Target Your Inventory to Gather All the Data You Need
• How to Maximize the Capabilities of Systems Management Server to Capture Inventory Data
• A Variety of Methods for Gathering Inventory Data
• How to Best Work with Users to Collect Soft Data, Plus Which Soft Data Will Be Most Useful

Want to purchase the book? The chapters from the Microsoft Press® title, Deploying Microsoft Office 2000: Notes from the Field, which is based on the experiences of Microsoft Consulting Services experts, are all available for download from the Office Web site. If you'd like to order a hard copy of the book for $39.99 US/$59.99 CAN, visit the Office Bookstore.