Also, we have many laptop users who travel frequently. Is there an easy way of using a sftp server as a central repository. If i map a ftp folder as a local drive will NIA be able to check this drive for collected data? And how should i go about telling the client machine to save this data on the server?

Hi Aun, to provide you with the accurate reply to your question, could you please let me know, what the main purpose of establishing the Central Repository you have in mind?

Hi Jeff,

We currently have around a 150 clients on our network. I tried using the direct upload to NIA option but I had trouble with it on most of the clients. However, the central repository option is working fine and i have been using it for some time now. Recently, our IT policies have become really strict and we no longer allow a shared folder to be accessible by the "everyone" group. In our earlier setup we had a common shared folder to collect and store data but i can no longer use that. So basically, my question is: "Is possible to use the central repository method and have our client machines save the inventory data on a network share (containing the exported agent utility) that they don't have access to ?" I will be using logon script from our domain server to run inventory at startup.

As for the other question, I was just wondering if there is a way to collect data from remote assets that are not physically connected to our domain (laptop users who are traveling). Although its not really important. For now, i need to fix the central repository issue.

Hi again,

Generally speaking, the following question cannot have a positive answer at all:

Is possible to ... have our client machines save the inventory data on a network share ... that they don't have access to ?

Basically they won't be able to run the agent utility from there. However, if your group policy allows network connection before user logon and your Logon Script runs on boot, not user logon, this might work (check your client PCs' Group Policy -> Administrative Templates -> System -> Logon -> Always wait for the network at computer startup and logon). However, I hope you realize that access issues can be veeeeery tricky, and extremely individual.

if there is a way to collect data from remote assets that are not physically connected to our domain

You can use the agent configured for manual scanning, and ask these users to send you the results via email, for instance.

Thanks for the help Jeff,

I will try using the direct inventory data upload option, though I just realized I will need a shared folder for that as well. If only NIA could monitor multiple folders at a time. Anyway, I use the agent free manual scanning method most of the time and it works really well. It was the main feature that made us purchase the software.

Though you should consider creating an agent as well. It could run at the taskbar and scan the system after a set time interval. Maybe you can give it an option to upload data to a server over the internet as well.

And keep the updates coming, thanks for the software grouping and selective summaries!

Also, your support is awesome!

If only NIA could monitor multiple folders at a time

That is another idea we are working on now!

Thanks for _your_ support