Since "Invent" is not a standalone product name but rather the inventory module within the ConnectWise RMM ecosystem, this review focuses on the inventory capabilities within ConnectWise RMM (formerly LabTech).
Review: ConnectWise RMM Inventory Verdict: 4.0 / 5.0 ConnectWise RMM Inventory is a powerhouse for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) who need deep data integration. While the user interface and setup complexity lag behind modern competitors, its ability to tie inventory data directly to ticketing and billing makes it the industry standard for mature MSP operations.
Executive Summary ConnectWise RMM Inventory is designed specifically for MSPs, not internal IT departments. Its primary strength is not just listing what software is on a machine, but integrating that data into the broader ConnectWise ecosystem (PSA/Billing). It excels at automating compliance checks, managing software licenses, and detecting rogue devices, though it requires a significant time investment to configure correctly.
Key Features & Performance 1. Automated Network Discovery (The "Invent" Aspect) connectwise invent
The Good: The discovery engine is robust. It can scan network ranges via SNMP, WMI, and agent-based discovery. It effectively finds "unknown" devices, which is critical for security compliance. The Bad: The initial setup of discovery filters can be tedious. If not configured precisely, it can generate "noise" (false positives) or miss devices that have strict firewall rules.
2. Software Asset Management (SAM)
Strength: This is the module's standout feature. It does not just list installed software; it tracks version numbers, publishers, and install dates. Compliance: It allows you to upload purchased license counts and compare them against installed instances. It will alert you if you are over or under-deployed, which is vital for Microsoft SPLA licensing management. Exclusions: You can easily ignore software (like "Google Chrome Helper") to keep reports clean. Since "Invent" is not a standalone product name
3. Hardware Lifecycle Tracking
The system pulls detailed warranty information (via integrations with Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) and maps it to the asset. This allows MSPs to proactively generate tickets suggesting hardware upgrades when warranties expire—a massive revenue driver for MSPs.
4. Integration (The Ecosystem Play)
PSA Sync: Inventory items sync bidirectionally with ConnectWise PSA (Manage). When a ticket is generated regarding a specific PC, the technician sees the hardware specs, last patch date, and installed software without leaving the ticket screen. Quote Management: It can push data to the quoting tool, allowing technicians to quickly generate quotes for upgrades based on the inventory data.
Pros and Cons Pros: