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What is ACC?
Agent Client Collector (ACC) is ServiceNow’s lightweight, agent-based framework for discovery, monitoring, and log collection. By collecting data directly from the host, ACC securely reports insights back to ServiceNow without requiring inbound firewall rules or stored credentials. This makes it ideal for modern environments, such as remote endpoints, cloud workloads, and zero-trust architectures, where traditional discovery methods don’t cut it.
Traditional Discovery vs. Agent Client Collector
Traditional discovery relies heavily on credentials, network access, and scheduled scans. That approach works in some situations, but it can struggle with remote users, locked-down networks, and cloud-native workloads. This is where ACC changes the game. Since ACC is agent-based, it collects data directly from the source, even when devices are off-network or behind VPNs. This means higher data quality with fewer blind spots. When ACC fills in the gaps left by traditional discovery, and traditional discovery continues doing what it does best, the result is a much more robust and reliable discovery process.
Real-World Use Cases
ACC really proves its value in places where traditional discovery struggles to keep up. Remote and hybrid workforces are a great example. ACC continues collecting data even when devices aren’t consistently on the corporate network. It’s also well-suited for cloud environments with short-lived instances or tightly controlled firewall rules, where network scans can miss critical changes. We’ve seen great success with ACC being used for software usage insights, patch and compliance validation, and improving overall CMDB accuracy. Having data come straight from the endpoint gives teams confidence that what they see in ServiceNow actually reflects reality.
How ACC Fits into ITOM and ITAM
At a high level, ACC serves as a trusted, real-time data feeder across the ServiceNow platform. For ITOM, it enriches service mapping, health, and event correlation by providing accurate, endpoint-level CI data that reflects what’s actually running in the environment. For ITAM, ACC delivers reliable hardware and software intelligence that improves compliance, supports license optimization, and strengthens asset lifecycle decisions. When ITOM and ITAM are fueled by the same high-quality source data, teams gain better alignment between operations, cost, and risk.
Out-of-the-Box Data: Day 1 Value
Right out of the box, ACC delivers hardware details, operating system info, installed software, running processes, and more. That “day one” visibility is a significant win for teams seeking to demonstrate value quickly without extensive customization.
ACC Extensions/Plugins
ACC plugins extend ACC capabilities beyond standard data collection by allowing teams to target specific, high-value use cases. At RapDev, we’ve partnered with customers to build custom ACC logic that captures critical data not available out of the box. This approach gives organizations the flexibility to collect exactly what they need, when they need it - making it crucial for leveraging ACC to its fullest potential.
Wrap-Up
Agent Client Collector is a modern answer to modern infrastructure challenges. When paired with strong ITOM and ITAM practices, and implemented thoughtfully, it helps teams move faster, see clearer, and trust their data. Contact RapDev to see how ACC can modernize your discovery approach and unlock better ITOM and ITAM outcomes.
