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Transforming Inventory Management: A Case Study on Upgrading FNMS for USCIS

SIE Consulting Group configured, deployed, and continues to support Flexera’s FlexNet Manager Suite for the Strategic Vendor Management organization, resulting in a 700% increase in managed devices.

Objectives

SIE Consulting Group was contracted to configure, deploy, and support Flexera’s FlexNet Manager Suite (FNMS) for the Strategic Vendor Management (SVM) group of the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) agency. The specific objectives were:

  • Offer advice, recommendations, implementation, configuration, and maintenance support for SVM’s SAM tools.
  • Develop an upgrade plan to transition from a deprecated FNMS version and migrate from older Windows servers simultaneously.
  • Deploy the Flexera Inventory Agent across all agency computing devices.
  • Plan future upgrades to prevent the use of deprecated SAM tools.
  • Provide comprehensive documentation on system support and configuration.

Solutions

SIE Consulting Group implemented a multifaceted approach to meet and exceed the set objectives:

  • Address Immediate Deployment Errors: FNMS had inherited several configuration errors preventing USCIS from collecting software inventory from Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). SIE identified and corrected the issues, allowing USCIS to obtain a baseline inventory.
  • Create Architectural Diagrams: We created several diagrams showing the existing FNMS servers, their interrelationships, their FNMS or Inventory Beacon versions, and the servers identified for upgrade.
  • Upgrade Planning: SIE devised a project plan with milestones that outlined the required steps to upgrade from the deprecated version of FNMS to the current version. Our plan also included migrating server hardware from Windows 2012 Server to Windows 2019 Server and SQL Server 2019.
  • Upgrade Testing: SIE set up a development environment mimicking production to test the upgrade process.
  • Deploy Inventory Agent: We created installation packages for Windows and various versions of Linux for deployment using existing deployment tools (e.g., SCCM’s Software Center or Linux scripts). We then created a wiki accessible to all USCIS personnel detailing how inventory is collected, the functions of the inventory agent, the deployment process, and how to verify a successful deployment.
  • Document Standard Operating Procedures: Developed and delivered a comprehensive training guide for other FNMS administrators, outlining the setup process, providing a basic introduction to FNMS, and detailing the types of maintenance to perform on a daily, weekly, quarterly, and yearly basis.
  • Maintain Open Communication: SIE communicated project status updates and system issues frequently and timely.

Benefits

At the beginning of 2023, approximately 28,000 devices were inventoried through SCCM, while around 3,000 Windows devices were using outdated versions of the Flexera Inventory Agent. Linux servers were not providing any inventory, and Mac computers offered limited inventory through AirWatch. By January 2024, the number of devices had increased to 40,000, with all supplying inventory using the Flexera Inventory Agent.

Flexera reports were generated to identify deprecated or unauthorized software. SIE Consulting Group assisted the agency in improving its ability to detect software risks and prevent overspending through more effective software audits.

FNMS evolved into a strategic tool capable of addressing “what if” scenarios, moving away from its previous role as a reactive tool with questionable data quality.

SIE provided SVM management with weekly, monthly, and quarterly project status reports featuring clear and timely communication tailored for non-technical stakeholders. This approach ensured regular and structured updates on project progress, enhancing transparency, and making it easier for stakeholders to stay informed. Consistent communication built trust and confidence, leading to higher customer satisfaction.

At a Glance

Challenges

  • Undocumented support procedures.
  • Deprecated FNMS version for collecting inventory data.
  • Uncertainty about server upgrades.
  • Insufficient communication.

Benefits

  • In 2023, fewer than 5,000 devices used the inventory agent; by 2024, nearly all 40,000 devices were using it.
  • System stability achieved with reliable data.
  • Documented upgrade path established.
  • Effective and timely communication achieved.