Software for a One-Man IT Department?

skywalker107 asks: "I am a one man IT department for a small Company (~100 PCs 4 Servers). I know that the bigger companies use alot of admin tools for inventory, documentation and management. Right now all of my information is spread out over documents, spreadsheets, and diagrams. The software I have tried has been poor at best and only covers one of the areas I need. What do the other small IT departments use to bring this information together and help manage the madness? Is shareware/freeware a good route? Does the open source movement have anything to fit a small scale setting?"

Comments

Consider an access database

[GundamFan]

It may not be a popular answer but some kind of simple Database is likely the way to go.

(!docco=job security) == overrated

[EnigmaticSource]

If that's all you currently posses of value, I'd fire you. Seriously, if all you know is passwords, topology, and a little bit of notes you're not very important. Passwords are easy enough to remove/fix with physical access to the box, nmap and htping will tell me all I need to know about the abstract topology, and a fluke will reveal the physical topology. Then all I'm short is a warm body to figure out a better way to do things than you.

So in short, All I'd be out is a few grand for the fluke because whomever I decided on to replace you will probably be cheaper to employ.

(and the moral of the story is, the irreplaceable game is terribly overrated)