Getting Started with Reporting and Queries
CapaInstaller collects large amounts of hardware, software, and user information from enrolled devices.
The Reporting and Queries plugin lets you compose queries for dynamic groups and generate detailed reports based on this data. You can establish the content of each report using many different criteria and choose the precise set of units to include. Results can be previewed, and reports can be saved and deployed to SQL Server Reporting Services.
Requirements
Section titled “Requirements”- Inventory must be collected from your units. Inventory is collected when the inventory jobs run on the clients. For more information, go to Scheduling.
- To save, delete, or deploy reports, your security profile needs Full control for Report and Query Manager. For more information, go to Profile rights.
- To deploy reports, install SQL Server Reporting Services and set it up in Reporting and Queries options. For more information, go to Prerequisites for Reporting and Queries.
Benefits
Section titled “Benefits”An automatically collected, comprehensive inventory saves many hours of work and keeps operating costs down. Before you decide on strategies or changes in your organization, use Reporting and Queries to investigate the state of your hardware and software. Queries can span platforms and device types, or be as specific as a single OS setting. If CapaInstaller’s inventory functions collect a value, you can use it in a query.
Example queries:
- Disk space - A query for remaining disk space reveals workstations that need a disk upgrade before a major application or OS deployment.
- OS versions - See which operating systems are running, and their versions and patch levels. This helps you plan OS upgrades.
- Platform - For software deployment, find out how many 32-bit and 64-bit workstations are running, and in which departments.
- Memory slots free - Find out how many workstations can be upgraded without discarding memory modules.
- Mobile security - Find out how many devices are running without a passcode for unlock.
- Android security - Find out whether any devices allow installation from unknown sources.
Create your first query
Section titled “Create your first query”- In the Reporting and Queries plugin, select File → New.
- On the toolbar, select the area you want to query: Hardware, Software, User, Logon, Updates, or Packages.
- In the tree view, right-click the data field you want to include, and then select Select item or Select with criteria….
- Repeat step 3 for each data field, and define the criteria you need. For more information, go to Define report criteria.
- On the toolbar, select Preview. If the report doesn’t have a report type yet, select the report type (Computers and Devices, Printers and Other assets, or User), and then select OK.
- Select File → Save, enter a name, and select Dynamic group if you also want to use the query as a dynamic group.
The result of the query appears in the content view. A saved report can be opened again with File → Open….
