Modeling attributes

One of the strengths of the inventory database is that it's automatically extendable. If the Ivanti agent on a device discovers new information, the Ivanti inventory service can add it to the database without requiring you to reconfigure anything. This process is handled by a catch-all table where unknown or “unmodeled” attributes are placed.

Unmodeled attributes can become an issue if you're using SQL or a third-party tool to access the inventory database directly. To read the data properly for an unmodeled attribute, the database requires a 5-table join, which most people can't create unless they're familiar with SQL.

With the Model attributes dialog, you can “model” this data, so that it's no longer stored in an UNMODELEDDATA1 table but rather in its own column in a table that you can easily query using an application such as Crystal Reports.

The Model attributes dialog also enables you to change the data type of an attribute. When an attribute is created via a scan file, by default it's added as a string to the inventory database. However, you may want the attribute stored as integer for sorting and comparison purposes.

On the Tools > Reporting/Monitoring > Manage software list toolbar, click the Model Attributes button to open the dialog.