1. What is NIS (Network Inventory System) by Great England Software?

      • NIS is a software solution developed by Great England Software designed for automated computer PC inventory management using PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) technology. It allows IT wholesale, IT Recycling, ITAD and corporate organizations to perform inventory of bulk laptops, desktops and servers without the need to install any OS and applications. 

2. What is PXE, and how does it work with NIS?

      • PXE, or Preboot Execution Environment, is a network protocol that allows computers to boot, collect hardware information and run diagnostics over the network. NIS utilizes PXE to automate the process of collecting inventory data from computers on a network during their boot sequence.

3. What are the key features of NIS?

      • NIS offers several features, including:
        • Automated computer inventory collection.
        • Hardware and software asset tracking.
        • Centralized management and reporting.
        • Integration with third party software such as ERP systems.
        • Support for remote and offline devices.
        • Customizable reporting and alerts.
        • Compliance tracking and reporting.

4. How does NIS collect computer inventory data?

      • NIS uses PXE to boot target computers into a minimal operating system environment, where it collects information about hardware  configurations including serial numbers. This data is then sent back to the NIS server for analysis and reporting.

5. Is NIS compatible with various operating systems?

      • Yes, NIS is designed to be compatible with a wide range of systems. NIS is OS independent software solution, meaning it does not require target machine to have any OS, NIS can function with or without any HDDs being present or with and without any OS present in the target machine. In other words no operation system is needed on the target machine. However, if the target machine has any OS such as Windows, Linux, MAC OS or Unix, NIS does not care about the OS is installed on the target. Regardless of OS on target machine NIS will work independently.

6. Can NIS be integrated with existing network infrastructure?

      • Yes, NIS is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing network infrastructure and can be configured to work with your existing systems. However, it is highly recommend NIS software solution is operated in isolated network environment to avoid DHCP, DNS and other network conflicts.

7. What are the benefits of using NIS for computer inventory management?

      • Some of the key benefits of NIS include:
        • Streamlined and automated inventory tracking.
        • Reduced manual data entry and human error.
        • Improved compliance monitoring.
        • Faster response to hardware changes.
        • Enhanced security through comprehensive asset tracking.

8. Is NIS suitable for both small and large organizations?

  • Yes, NIS is scalable and can be used by organizations of all sizes. It can be customized to meet the specific needs of your organization, whether you have a small office or a large enterprise network.

9. What kind of support and training does Great England Software offer for NIS users?

  • Great England Software provides customer support and training services to help users get the most out of NIS. They may offer online documentation, tutorials, and technical support to assist with installation, configuration, and troubleshooting.

10. How can I get pricing and licensing information for NIS? - To get pricing and licensing details for NIS, you can contact Great England Software directly through their website or by reaching out to their sales team. They will be able to provide you with information tailored to your organization's specific needs.

11. Is there a trial version available for NIS? - Great England Software may offer a trial version of NIS for organizations to evaluate its features and compatibility before making a purchasing decision. You can inquire about the availability of a trial version when contacting them.

12. Is NIS compliant with data privacy regulations, such as GDPR? - Great England Software takes data privacy seriously and may offer features or guidance to help organizations comply with data privacy regulations. It's essential to discuss your specific compliance requirements with the vendor during the implementation process.

13. What is the typical implementation process for NIS? - The implementation process for NIS typically involves several steps, including software installation, configuration, integration with existing systems, and testing. The exact process may vary depending on your organization's needs and the complexity of your network.

14. Can NIS be used for remote computer inventory management? - Yes, NIS supports remote inventory management, allowing you to collect inventory data from computers located on remote networks or off-site locations.

15. Does NIS support automated software deployment or patch management? - While NIS primarily focuses on inventory management, it may offer integration or compatibility with other software deployment and patch management solutions. You can inquire with Great England Software about specific features or integrations in this regard.

16. Can NIS be customized to meet unique organizational requirements? - Yes, NIS can often be customized to meet the specific needs and requirements of your organization. Customizations may include tailored reporting, data fields, and integration with other systems.

17. How often does NIS update inventory data? - Inventory data can be updated by PXE booting the target machine on the NIS network, when the target machine boots via PXE, if a record already exists in the DB for such machine; NIS will prompt the user to update the records with new inventory data. This will update all the hardware information and serial numbers in the database.

18. Is there a mobile app or web interface for accessing NIS data remotely? - Some inventory management solutions may offer mobile apps or web interfaces for remote access to inventory data. You can inquire with Great England Software about the availability of such features.

19. What kind of technical requirements are needed to run NIS? - NIS typically has specific hardware and software requirements that must be met for proper installation and operation. These requirements may include server specifications, network infrastructure, and operating system compatibility. It's important to review these requirements before implementing NIS.

20. How can I contact Great England Software for more information or support? - You can typically contact Great England Software through their official website or customer support channels, which may include phone, email, or online chat. They will provide you with the necessary information and assistance based on your inquiries.

Please note that the specific details about NIS and its features may evolve over time, so it's advisable to consult the latest documentation or contact the vendor for the most up-to-date information and support.

21. Can Barcode Labels be printed with NIS - NIS automatically prints self adhesive thermal barcode labels for each laptop / desktop and server that is processed through PXE boot via NIS software solution. There are 6 different size and styles of barcode labels that you can choose to use. 

22. Barcode Label Customization - NIS thermal barcode labels are highly customizable. If you wish to change the look, style, design and content of the barcode labels, the good news is that NIS label can be redesigned and redeveloped. However this customization can only be implemented by NIS software engineers. Please contact support with your label customization requirements.

23. What role do barcode labels play in NIS? - Barcode labels are used in NIS to help uniquely identify and track physical computer assets. NIS can generate and print barcode labels for each computer in the inventory. These labels simplify the process of asset management, making it easier to locate and manage computers in a large network.

24. How does NIS capture and deploy operating systems via PXE? - NIS can capture and deploy operating systems by leveraging PXE technology. OS capturing involves creating images of operating systems installed on reference computers. These images can then be deployed to target computers over the network using PXE. This process streamlines OS deployment and ensures consistent configurations across the network.

25. What are the key features of NIS related to barcode labels, OS capturing, and deployment via PXE?

  • NIS offers several features in these areas, including:
    • Barcode label generation and printing.
    • OS image capturing and deployment.
    • Centralized management of OS images.
    • Support for deploying OS updates and patches.
    • Integration of barcode data with inventory information.
    • Comprehensive Reporting and Audit reports for each system.

26. Is NIS compatible with various operating systems for OS capturing and deployment? - Yes, NIS is designed to be compatible with a wide range of operating systems, allowing you to capture and deploy OS images for Windows, Linux and other supported platforms.

27. Can NIS automate the process of capturing and deploying OS updates and patches? - NIS can facilitate the automation of OS capturing and deployment for bulk computers / laptop operations. However, patches cannot be applied to the target systems with NIS software solution.

28. How can barcode labels be customized and integrated with NIS inventory data? - Barcode labels generated by NIS can often be customized to include information like asset tags, serial numbers, or other relevant data. These labels can be scanned to quickly associate physical assets with their corresponding inventory records in NIS.

29. What is the typical workflow for capturing and deploying operating systems with NIS? - The typical workflow involves creating OS images on reference computers, capturing these images with NIS, and then deploying them to target computers using PXE. NIS provides tools and interfaces to streamline this process, making it efficient and error-free.

30. Can NIS track changes and updates to OS images and deployments? - Yes, NIS can track changes and updates to OS images and deployments. It maintains a history of OS images and deployment activities, allowing administrators to review and audit changes made to the network's OS configurations.

31. Is there training available for using NIS for barcode labels and OS capturing/deployment? - Great England Software typically offers training and documentation to assist users in effectively utilizing NIS for barcode labels, OS capturing, and deployment. Training sessions may cover best practices and workflows related to these features.

32. Is NIS compliant with data privacy regulations, such as GDPR, when capturing and managing OS images? - Great England Software takes data privacy seriously and may offer features or guidance to help organizations comply with data privacy regulations when capturing and managing OS images. It's essential to discuss your specific compliance requirements with the vendor during the implementation process.

33. Can NIS be customized to meet unique organizational requirements for OS capturing and deployment? - Yes, NIS can often be customized to meet specific OS capturing and deployment needs. Customizations may include defining capture and deployment workflows, specifying image configurations, and integrating with other systems.

These additional FAQs cover the aspects of barcode labels, OS capturing, and deployment via PXE within Great England Software's NIS, enhancing its capabilities for efficient computer inventory management and OS management.