Application Mapping Methodology

The AppMap 360-Driven Application Mapping Process

01. Start with the Basics: System Discovery

To create a comprehensive inventory and mapping, we start by leveraging the subnet ranges for the IT assets to be mapped and conducting a thorough ping sweep to obtain a complete inventory of IP addresses in scope. This foundational step ensures accuracy, identifies hidden assets, and minimizes overlooked components. By completing this fundamental activity, we establish an exhaustive list to build upon, reducing risks, preventing disruptions, and streamlining the entire mapping process for a more efficient IT transformation.

02. Leverage Existing Inventories and System Reports

CTM integrates multiple data sources into AppMap 360, including:

• Cloud discovery tools (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
• Active Directory & vCenter
• Monitoring systems, server, storage, and network inventories
• CMDB records & application portfolios

AppMap 360 automates data reconciliation by cross-referencing these sources and flagging inconsistencies. It assigns confidence scores to prioritize confirmed data, reducing reliance on manual verification. By consolidating data from multiple sources, AppMap 360 ensures only the most reliable and accurate information is used.

03. Build a Detailed System Inventory

A detailed and accurate system inventory is essential for effective application mapping. AppMap 360 ensures no critical assets are missed by consolidating all inventories and streamlining verification.

Key Features:

• Automated accuracy indicators to verify and categorize infrastructure assets
• Reduced manual effort with streamlined verification
• Comprehensive coverage for a complete infrastructure view

Ensuring Data Accuracy

AppMap 360 cross-references multiple data sources to ensure the most accurate data.

• CMDBs & monitoring tools
• Active Directory & virtualized environments (e.g., vCenter)
• System inventories & logs
• Discovery Tools

Faster Inventory Completion

By simplifying data verification, AppMap 360 significantly reduces the time needed to finalize infrastructure inventories. This allows IT teams to move quickly into dependency mapping, eliminating last-minute surprises.

04. Application Discovery and Reports

Understanding how systems interact is essential for accurate application mapping. AppMap 360 simplifies this by using database listener logs and discovery tools to trace communication pathways between applications, databases, and infrastructure.

Our Dependency Editor helps organizations quickly identify, verify, and visualize system relationships. While discovery tools provide technical insights, business applications must also be validated through application portfolio review, SME interviews and stakeholder input, and URL and DNS query reports.

We confirm the connection points captured through discovery tools and system reports, adding any missing components. Additional details are gathered, including:

• Application usage patterns & primary user locations
• System criticality & risk tolerance
• Compliance, privacy, & regulatory requirements

By combining automated insights with manual validation, AppMap 360 delivers a complete, accurate application profile, ensuring a clear and dependable view of system dependencies.

05. Comprehensive Application to Server Relationship Mapping

CTM consolidates all discovery data within AppMap 360, creating a real-time, dynamic infrastructure-to-application relationship map that enhances visibility, accuracy, and strategic decision-making. This comprehensive mapping uncovers hidden dependencies, optimizes resource allocation, and streamlines migration planning to prevent disruptions.

The data seamlessly integrates into migration wave planning, ensuring efficient scheduling, risk mitigation, and minimal downtime. By leveraging automation and advanced analytics, organizations can accelerate IT transformation, reduce complexity, improve scalability, and ensure a seamless transition to cloud or data center environments with confidence.