IT Configuration Management for every industry

In any business organization, ITIL Configuration Management (CM) plays a vital role in best using the IT service. The business entities can have an optimal control over their IT systems with the aid of CM. It identifies every configuration item (CI) with its types, status, its relationship with other CIs in a network or an organization. The related information is stored in a centralized repository, Configuration Management Database (CMDB). In CMBD, information about assets that an organization relies upon, like hardware, software, and networks including contracts and SLAs, is stored.
On identifying a CI, the next task is controlling of the newly configured item, which defines who is authorized to make changes in it. Then follows the recording the status of CIs and the maintenance of information in the centralized database. Finally, to confirm the updated details are accurate, reviews and audits are performed.
For an optimal IT security in an organization, Configuration Management is mandatory. If configuration items are left undefined, this would end up in stealing, misplacing, moving of CIs or even lead to usage of unauthorized items in an IT service. Any such incidence would obviously result in affecting the service that is solely dependent on a CI.
Configuration Management has relationship with other ITIL service management as well. In ITIL Incident Management, the IT service desk people can promptly find out which CI has been affected with the aid of CM and come up with a timely resolution.
Likewise, it also assists in ITIL Problem Management. It enables proper maintenance of CI status by linking the affected CI to the Incident, Problem, and Change Management processes. When a change is being done to a CI, it is constantly updated in the CMDB, this way Configuration Management assists in ITIL Change Management. In ITIL Service Management, it aids in identifying the affected CIs that are related to SLAs.
Benefits offered by Configuration Management are a lot, the major being enhancement of IT services in a business organization. It was a time, CM was employed by military organizations. Today, it is being utilized in various industries, including commercial sectors. Even the construction industry has started applying Configuration Management process to handle complex and huge volume of details, especially in large construction projects.
With Configuration Management, easy access to critical IT information is feasible, which contributes to the betterment of IT service. The financial planning of CM is also facilitated, as it provide reports on CI and related costs.