15 Top CMDB tools for modern enterprises in 2024

CIOs across the board are recognizing the value of CMDB tools in making informed IT infra decisions. The market for CMDB tools is expected to grow around 13% YoY.

The real power lies in its ability to identify dependencies among assets that fast tracks impact analysis post an incident or change. CMDB tools also help identify rogue IT assets that might be registered in your ITAMs but aren't accounted for in the CMDB, or track the performance of your CIs before they break down or shoot your maintenance costs.

Companies that don't use a CMDB tool may risk a competitive disadvantage in resource planning and sound IT infra. However, before you invest in a CMDB tool, take the time to understand exactly what it brings to the table and the options available in the market.

What is a CMDB tool?

A configuration management database (CMDB) tool is your IT department's digital blueprint. It maps out your entire IT landscape, from servers to applications with their configuration details, giving you the asset visibility and control needed to deliver exceptional services.

CMDBs also support change, problem, and incident management, so enterprise can reduce their change failure rate (and downtime), and accelerate troubleshooting.

Related read: Configuration Management Database (CMDB): Key Components, Roles, Challenges

Does your enterprise need a CMDB tool?

Deciding whether your enterprise needs a CMDB tool totally depends on how big your organization is.

For a large enterprise with a complex IT environment and higher ITSM maturity, a CMDB tool is almost a must-have. Trying to manage thousands of servers, applications, and network devices without a central repository is like walking a tightrope without a safety net.

On the other hand, if you're a smaller organization with a more straightforward IT setup and basic ITSM maturity, a CMDB might feel like overkill. You could get by with just an asset management tool to keep things organized, ensure standard compliance, and track your asset inventory.

Related read: CMDB vs Asset Management: Do Modern Enterprises Need Both?

Now that you know how a CMDB tool can bring order to chaos, here is a breakdown of the best 15 CMDB tools.

1. Atomicwork

Atomicwork is an AI-powered ITSM platform that streamlines incident, asset, request and change management processes. It has built-in CMDB capabilities that provides consistent asset configuration information for better visibility, operational efficiency, and capacity planning.

Key features:

• Granular and centralized view of all your CIs (configuration items), including hardware, software, and configurations for smart resource allocation
• Dependency mapping to analyze incident and change impact on assets. When incidents are identified, they can be resolved within the same platform with detailed context, speeding up resolution.
• Centralized asset management to identify shadow IT assets and SaaS overspending to ensure your organization is maximizing ROI quarter on quarter.
• Instant Slack/Team-based conversational support to troubleshooting resources, service request fulfillment, and knowledge base integration for improved employee experience.
• Robust change management through standardized templates for common change types.

2. SolarWinds Service Desk

IT teams use SolarWinds CMDB to maintain a detailed inventory of IT assets. This tool is ideal for teams that require robust data visualization capabilities to enhance their asset and change management processes.

Key features:

• Knowledge base management for easy access to self-help resources
• Customizable reports to track incident and change management KPIs and trends
• 24/7 compliance via connection with other SolarWinds products, such as network performance monitoring and server monitoring.

3. ServiceNow CMDB

The ServiceNow CMDB provides a single system of record for your IT data. When you pair it with ServiceNow Service Mapping, it gives IT teams a real-time view of service connections and dependencies.

Key features:

• Automated asset discovery to gain visibility into the IT environment
• Fusion with ServiceNow IT Operations Management and ServiceNow HR Service Delivery for unified ITSM capabilities
• Role-based access controls enabling enterprise security

4. BMC Helix CMDB

BMC Helix offers a comprehensive CMDB tool to visualize and optimize your IT assets. It's designed to help mid-sized companies improve their IT operations, efficiency, and compliance.

Key features:

• Serves as a single source of truth for asset details and relationships
• Incident management across the web, a drag-and-drop change calendar, and automated, contextual collision detection
• Strong compliance culture by automating everything from uploading license agreements to calculating your license position.

5. InvGate Insight

InvGate is a no-code service management platform, covering everything from service and support to discovery, monitoring, and mapping. With InvGate Insight, you can get a bird's-eye view of your entire IT infrastructure, from cloud instances to IoT devices. And the best part? Seamless compatibility with any network monitoring solution the IT team is currently using.

Key features:

• Asset retirement and disposal management to track the end-of-life of assets and responsible disposal
• AI-based ticketing and support platform to handle support tickets
• Data normalization on the go to avoid duplicates and discrepancies in CI management

6. Freshservice

Freshservice by Freshworks is a user-friendly, cloud-based CMDB tool that's easy to set up, even without extensive training. It offers a range of features, including multi-channel support, gamification to boost team morale and a mobile app for on-the-go management.

Key features:

• Customizable alerts and notifications every time a specific event or asset breaches team-set thresholds.
• Predictive analytics capabilities to benchmark your CI management with industry standards and improve asset lifespan.
• ITIL 4-compliant mature practices to embed into user experience and back-end workflow

7. Ivanti Neurons for Discovery

Ivanti Neurons for CMDB is a customizable toolbox for an IT team. It starts with basic incident management, followed by ITOps, change, and configuration management. IT leaders can also get the full suite with advanced capabilities such as service-level management, financial management, project management, and portfolio management.

Key features:

• AI-powered asset discovery, inventory updates, and data reconciliation so IT admins can save manual interventions for strategic tasks at hand.
• Flexible asset tracking with both agent-based and agentless discovery to fit any environment.
• Unified endpoint management to provide a single pane view of both managed and unmanaged devices.

8. Device42

Device42 is a cloud-based platform for automating multiple management workflows in enterprises. With a pre-configured CMDB, you can skip the long CI design process and get straight to what matters. Plus, Device42's vast library of integrations—including over 50+ cloud applications—ensures it fits smoothly into your existing IT setup.

Key features:

• Network discovery to map your network infrastructure and visualize network topology.
• API-enabled architecture to programmatically access configuration data and asset history for the last 60 days  
• Resource management by pinpointing exactly which applications use specific cloud resources. This way, teams can accurately charge back to the right business units so they only pay for what they actually use.

9. Jira Service Management

The platform acts as a modern CMDB right within Jira, giving you structured and graphical data views pulled directly from all your feeds. It’s an obvious choice for IT teams already using Confluence and Jira, as it synchronizes directly with your tickets, helping you respond faster, improve governance, and reduce operational risks.

Key features:

• Customizable queues to organize incoming requests and incidents based on priority, status, and assignment.
• Ready-to-use templates to handle incident resolution, change management, and asset onboarding.
• Pre-packaged messaging capabilities facilitate communication with stakeholders regarding incidents and changes.

10. GLPI

GLPI is an ITSM software suite with advanced tools for inventory, asset, and mobile device management. Since it’s open-source, IT teams get a free CMDB, be prepared for a bit of DIY work though. Setting up and managing GLPI requires some technical know-how, but if you're up for the challenge, it will prevent an IT team from breaking the bank.

Key features:

• Service Level Agreements (SLAs) management for request resolution based on agreed-upon standards.
• Automatically groups devices based on specific criteria, such as location, department, or function, making it easier to manage and report on assets.
• Service request management through customizable request forms

11. SysAid

SysAid CMDB helps you see how users, assets, and other components are connected, making it easier to support your team. Just remember, SysAid includes this CMDB in a broader on-premises help desk solution, which might not be ideal for every team.

Key features:

• Easily accessible CI service record history right from the help desk.
• Customizable icons to represent CIs (physical and logical) and their progress- incidents, problems, changes, and alerts.  
• Comprehensive asset inventory with over 250 fields to describe CIs in as much detail as required for your planning, operations, and reporting needs.

12. UCMDB by Micro Focus

UCMDB is a key part of the Micro Focus IT Workflows suite, which spans ITSM, ITOM, and Service Manager. This suite is packed into various HP products streamlines your IT processes, and automates problem management using a pre-configured, ITIL-based approach.

Key features:

• Asset cost tracking from purchase through maintenance and ongoing operational expenses.
• Interfaced with Micro Focus IDOL to process both structured and unstructured data with accuracy.
• Advanced problem management with predictive analytics to lower change failures, and mean time to restore and minimize service outages.

13. Deepser CMDB

The CMDB in Deepser is designed to handle IT assets, relationships, and dependencies all in one place, in line with ITIL standards.

Key features:

• Personalized dashboards to display critical information and metrics relevant to CIs
• Intelligent automation rules to perform automated notifications, escalations, and remediation actions based on predefined conditions.
• Service Desk to set up branded customer portals, design escalation workflows, and create templates for common request types.

14. TOPdesk

TOPdesk is your go-to solution for consolidating all your configuration items into one easy-to-manage repository. It’s designed to handle the complexities of shared infrastructures, making it easier to understand how incidents or changes affect your services and contracts.

Key features:

• REST API integration to connect with Nagios, LANDesk, SCOM, Intune, Microsoft Endpoint Manager, and Lansweaver.
• Detailed records of changes and access to asset information, which helps with compliance and accountability.
• Omnichannel support through email and barcode interface

15. Lansweeper

Lansweeper CMDB integrates with cloud and SaaS services, auto-populates the CMDB, and provides extensive support for ITIL and ITSM processes.

Key features:

• Self-log incidents and requests for direct access to services and status updates
• Multiple cloud-based deployment options for improved flexibility
• Asset lifecycle management to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

How to choose the right CMDB tool?

Choosing the right CMDB tool isn’t a one-size-fits-all process since each organization has its own ITSM needs and preferences. That said, there are some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Business alignment

Picking the right CMDB tool isn't just about solving immediate issues like managing too many servers or controlling cloud sprawl. It’s also about aligning with your long-term IT goals, like improving overall service delivery and maintaining consistent management. Consider how the tool fits into your growth plans, helps with GDPR, HIPAA, and other regulatory compliance, and supports your service level agreements (SLAs).

2. Scalability and flexibility

A small team just starting with CMDB software has very different needs than a larger, more experienced team. If you’re expecting a merger or plan to expand your team beyond 50 people soon, go for a cloud-based CMDB with a scalable setup. On the other hand, if you're a smaller business, an on-premise option might be just fine. When it comes to subscription-based CMDBs, understand how much you'll be paying. Is it based on the number of people using the software? Is it a flat fee? Or a pay as you go model? This will help you figure out which tools might get too expensive as your team grows.

3. Integration capabilities

Deploy a CMDB that integrates well with your current IT setup, including your ITSM tools, older versions of OSes, help desks, communication tools like Slack, and security solutions. Look for support for an open API and data extraction methods like ODBC to check how easily data flows between the CMDB and your IT environment in general.

4. ROI

Take the time to do a detailed cost-benefit analysis to assess the potential ROI of the CMDB tool. Think about factors like reduced downtime, increased efficiency, cost savings from better resource allocation, and better decision-making. Don’t forget to factor in benefits that have a direct impact on your product IP– improved risk management, lower employee burnout, and robust defense against breach.

5. Reporting and analytics

Ideally, your CMDB pick should come with built-in reporting capabilities that can quickly deliver insights into underutilized CIs, asset productivity, change impact analysis, compliance monitoring, and SLA performance. It should also offer a 360-degree view into the financial and resource investments required for service maintenance.

Choosing the right CMDB tool for your team is no small task, and it’s definitely not a decision to rush through. We hope this guide has given you a clearer understanding of your team’s challenges and helped you outline your needs. With that in mind, you’re now in a better position to narrow down the list of tools to explore with your team—like Atomicwork.

What’s great about Atomicwork is that it has CMDB capabilities built right into the same platform that also offers other ITSM features. This all-in-one approach is a huge advantage for enterprises, simplifying your IT management and making everything work seamlessly together.

Before you invest, see how Atomicwork can deliver tangible benefits to your organization. Request a free demo.