Best Asset Management Software. Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS), taking this award for the fourth year, continues to consolidate its worth as an asset-management tool. SMS 2003 uses Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) to improve client-side performance during inventory scans and deliver a rich set of inventory data. Administrators can perform intelligent inventory searches to zero in on files and applications of particular interest. Usage tracking functionality integrates inventory management with software metering so that administrators can determine not only which applications are installed but which are being used, simplifying tracking for licensing compliance and identifying unused applications. SMS 2003 provides a robust and extensible Web reporting engine with more than 120 prebuilt reports available at installation.
