Inventory Objects and States
Bravura Identity manages inventory by:
Maintaining a list of inventory items – This list can be used for provisioning or internal purposes. It includes the identifying information, location, type, and state of each item.
One way to create the initial inventory list, or to keep it up-to-date, is to assign inventory managers and have them do the work using the Bravura Security Fabric web interface.
Provisioning inventory items to users – In general, Bravura Identity facilitates the provisioning of items by allowing users to submit requests for new items, routing request to authorizers for approval (if applicable), and notifying the appropriate people when items need to be delivered, shipped, or recovered.
The process for requesting an inventory item is similar to the process for requesting a new account. For example, to request a new wireless device, users select an inventory template named smartphone to which the individual devices are mapped.
Bravura Identity keeps track of inventory items by altering their state information (available, reserved, assigned). Inventory managers and product administrators can also manually change the state of an item. The list of possible inventory states is pre-defined in Bravura Identity . Some states must be enabled before they can be used.
The list of inventory items includes the identifying information, location, type, and state of each item.
You can load an existing inventory list into Bravura Identity , or update an existing list, using the manageinv program to import inventory in batches. See manageinv usage information for full details.
Product administrators can manually enter individual inventory items using the Inventory item menu in the Manage the system (PSA) module. Regular users assigned as inventory managers can manually enter individual inventory items using the menu.
Getting started
Before you begin to define inventory objects and states:
Set up a placeholder or RSA Authentication Manager 7.1/8.2 target system to manage inventory .
Add inventory templates .
Defining usable inventory states
Bravura Identity keeps track of inventory items by altering their state information in the database or external source. The following states are available to all inventory items by default:
In stock
Available
Reserved
Undelivered
Assigned
Outstanding
You can enable other possible states to refine the management of certain item types and locations; for example, you may need a way to track items that are lost, or in repair. The possible states are listed in Table Inventory states . In the table, default states are marked with 
. Figure 2, “Inventory states and workflow” illustrates the relationship between inventory items, states, and provisioning workflow.
To enable possible states:
Click Inventory > Inventory states.
Select the inventory Type and Location combination that you want to modify inventory states for, then click Update.
On the Inventory states page, select the extra states that you want available by selecting the appropriate checkboxes.
Click Update.
The following table describes the possible states of inventory items. Default states are marked with a .
A product administrator or inventory manager must manually delete items that are in a Disposed state.
This state … | Means the item is … |
|---|---|
Before provisioning | |
Approved purchase | Approved for purchase, but has not yet been purchased and is unavailable for provisioning |
Ordered | Approved for purchase and has been ordered, but is not yet in stock and not available for provisioning. |
| In stock but not yet available for provisioning. |
Provisioning workflow | |
Available | Available for provisioning. |
| Selected for provisioning. |
| Assigned but not yet in the possession of its user. The inventory manager must deliver the item to the user. |
In transit to user/received by user | Shipped by the inventory manager and is in transit to the user or received by the user. |
| Assigned and delivered. |
Removed from user / stock | |
| Deleted from a user’s profile but has not been retrieved from its former user. |
Permanently damaged | Damaged beyond repair and is not available for provisioning. |
Lost / Stolen | Missing and is not available for provisioning. |
In repair | Being repaired and is not available for provisioning. |
Disposed | Damaged or no longer needed and removed from stock. |
Configuration notes
Users cannot change states in a way that would violate rules by which items are managed; for example, they cannot change a state from assigned to reserved.
When an item is assigned during an authorization workflow, it is put in a Reserved state. If the request is denied, Bravura Identity moves the item back to an Available state. If approved, the item is:
Assigned if inventory managers or implementers are not configured
Undelivered if inventory managers are configured
An inventory manager must then move the item to Assigned status to acknowledge delivery.
Reserved if implementers are configured
The item is Assigned once the implementer indicates the task is completed.
When configured the In transit and Received by user states are used together. The implementer marks the item as In transit , then the recipient logs in to acknowledge receipt, which marks the item as Received by user . These states are useful, for example, when items must be mailed to recipients.
Inventory managers and product administrators can use the Bravura Security Fabric interface to add items with the following states (when the state is enabled / usable):
Approved purchase
Ordered
In stock
Available
Lost/Stolen
Permanently damaged
Inventory managers and product administrators can move items:
From … | To … |
|---|---|
Approved purchase | Ordered |
Ordered | In stock |
Available | In stock |
In stock | Available |
Lost/Stolen | |
Permanently damaged | |
In transit to user | Lost/Stolen |
Lost/Stolen | In stock |
Outstanding | In stock |
Lost/Stolen | |
Permanently damaged | |
In repair | |
In repair | Permanently damaged |
In stock | |
Permanently damaged | Disposed |
Assigned | Available |
You can use the manageinv program to manage items in any state.
Adding inventory items
To add inventory items:
As a product administrator click Manage the system > Inventory > Inventory items.
Alternatively, as an inventory manager, click Inventory Management.
The menu is displayed.
Click Add new…
Type the ID that will display in the inventory items selection list.
Select Type and Location .
Select the State.
You can add items in Available or In stock status. Use the
manageinvprogram to add items in other states.Type a Description that will display in inventory item lists.
Add Notes as required.
Click Add.
Changing inventory item states
To change the state of an existing inventory item:
As a product administrator, click Manage the system > Inventory > Inventory items.
Alternatively, as an inventory manager, click Inventory Management.
Search for, or select, an item.
Select a new State for the item .
An item must be In stock or Outstanding to move to Lost/Stolen or Permanently damaged.
Change other fields as required.
Click Update.
Bravura Security Fabric notifies appropriate users.
Unassigning inventory
To unassign an item from Bravura Identity user:
As a product administrator click Manage the system > Inventory > Inventory items.
Alternatively, as an inventory manager, click Inventory Management.
Search for, or select, an item.
Click Unassign. If required, confirm your actions .
Click Update at the bottom of the form.
You can only unassign items from user profiles that are managed by Bravura Identity .