Spiceworks vs OTRS

Because you're asking for it:
Spiceworks and OTRS are excellent programs. Both are web based applications.

A basic comparison:

Feature	SpiceWorks	OTRS
Free (cost) software	Yes	Yes
Open Source (you have the source code)	No	Yes
Installation is cross platform	Windows Only	Yes
Client access through a browser	Yes	Yes
Customizable with your company brand	Possible?	Yes
Collects inventory information on your LAN	Yes	No
Connects to your database	No	Yes
Modules available	Yes	Yes
Integrated forums and web support	Yes	Not integrated, but available
Monitors your network and Exchange Server for errors and usage	Yes	No
Helpdesk	Yes	Yes

This breakdown is by no means exhaustive. Spiceworks is a software you'll want to use for gathering information about your network. For free, Spiceworks can't be beat for all it does. In my experience, Spiceworks is slow-ish. It would also help to have Spiceworks on a machine that's dedicated for its use. A Windows Server (vs. Windows Desktop) is a likely candidate for where to run Spiceworks. Windows XP Pro is adequate, though some scanning of large networks will possibly cause errors regarding networking/connecting simultaneously to multiple computers. Spiceworks also has a helpdesk module, which is functional. Some of Spiceworks' helpdesk strengths include the agent shortcuts that allow agents to manipulate tickets via code words.

OTRS's strength is in the helpdesk part of the equation. Once the perl requirements are met, OTRS is a rather stable helpdesk solution. Anything that can send an email can make a ticket in OTRS, or you can use SOAP integration and other methods to communicate directly with the database. OTRS can run on practically anything that can run Perl. It also has localization and ability to create your own themes/branding. OTRS is designed to go beyond Helpdesk into Change Management.

Which to choose? For helpdesk, I recommend OTRS. For hardware auditing, Spiceworks. Spiceworks may be all you need for a single file to download and install get-it-done application. OTRS scales better for larger organizations, is cross platform, and works on your database.

Open Invitation to provide ACS/Parent Pager/Church Assistance

Our church uses ACS as its church management software. This week, we had the pleasure of having one of ACS Technologies' authorized third party consultants come to our church to provide onsite training for our users.

The trainer presented clear information to our users and provided some insight into enabling us to better manage our data.

As we talked, I was heartened to know that the trainer had recommended me to other churches for assistance in networking and general get-it-togetherness. Heartened, tempered with the realization that the churches haven't contacted me.

While I'm busy on one front, I'm also interested on providing my findings and some thoughts for churches who may seem to be in a rut -- stuck and not moving.

God is alive. He cares about you. Don't freak out about being stuck with "the way we have always done things around here." One of the best things about the place I work is that I am able to work with such wonderful people who really want to get this church thing right. That includes being receptive to kind direction toward optimizing our database. If you have access to the services offered by your application provider, let them help you. They do know their own product.