Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

BMC Helix CMDB vs OpenText Universal Discovery and Universal CMDB comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

BMC Helix CMDB
Ranking in Configuration Management Databases
5th
Average Rating
9.2
Number of Reviews
6
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
OpenText Universal Discover...
Ranking in Configuration Management Databases
3rd
Average Rating
8.4
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2025, in the Configuration Management Databases category, the mindshare of BMC Helix CMDB is 9.1%, down from 13.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of OpenText Universal Discovery and Universal CMDB is 12.4%, down from 12.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Configuration Management Databases
 

Featured Reviews

Yousef Bayari - PeerSpot reviewer
Serves as a repository for storing configuration items, encompassing both physical and logical entities
The main feature is the relational model database, where you define relationships between CIs. Being able to establish CI relationships and building a service model is a key aspect of CMDB. Additionally, the traditional features of asset management, such as tracking assets through attributes, location, and ownership (both organizational and individual), are also part of it. On top of these, the CI model, which handles relationships and service models, is pivotal.
Prajwal Kewat - PeerSpot reviewer
The UCMDB Tool is easy to manage IT assets and is auto-discovery features; But for ease of use the tool proper it needs to be documented in detailed fashion.
Based on my experience with the UCMDB tool, I have faced challenges while discovering servers (nodes). We need to define the IP list for discovery in RTSM and run jobs. However, over time, whenever new assets are added, we must manually add the new IPs in RTSM and run the jobs again. From the agent's perspective, we need to provide the Data Flow Probe IP. This can be done in one of two ways: we install the agent at the server (node) level, define the IP of the Data Flow Probe, and then our Data Flow Probe will capture the data from the agent and send it back to UCMDB. This method allows us to eliminate the step of manually adding the IPs in RTSM. In a dynamic production environment where changes are continuous, we need to stay updated on new servers (nodes). Ideally, the auto-discovery feature should automatically detect the new CIs (nodes/servers) in the environment and notify the IT personnel. This process could be achieved without the need for agents, or with a one-time agent setup.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The rules functionality makes it easier to classify data for different groups."
"It allows me to easily manage my data: Cleanse, load, and report on it."
"This solution has improved our tracking."
"This solution makes it easy for us to access data, and seamlessly integrates with all ITSM as well as the monitoring parts."
"The most valuable features of BMC Atrium CMDB are its ease to build new classes. For example, let's say there are types of CIs or efforts that do not exist in BMC Atrium CMDB. You can create your own and their relationship to existing classes."
"Over the years, we have progressed to have close to a real-time up-to-date view into the assets in our environment."
"Atrium Integrator​ allows me to manage my data, with regular updates, etc. and integrate with multiple systems."
"The main feature is the relational model database, where you define relationships between CIs. Being able to establish CI relationships and building a service model is a key aspect of CMDB."
"It scales easily with future expansion."
"The auto-discovery feature is great."
"It can discover almost everything and creates relationship among discovered CIs, along with creating topology modeling."
"The product is easy to set up."
"Precision, trustworthiness, reconciliation, and user-friendly presentation are the key features I value most."
"It can discover various pieces from hardware, software, custom applications, and tie them together to create a map using ASM."
"The most valuable feature of this solution is the discovery."
 

Cons

"I am just waiting for the new release with the new enhanced UI."
"Recently, improvements have been more focused on the interface side."
"BMC Atrium CMDB could improve if they had a cloud version and made the interface better."
"There could be a provision in the back end to ensure unique collections and avoid duplicate services."
"We would like the service modelling functionality of this solution to be improved."
"Looking for a more streamlined interface; one that matches the other parts of the BMC Remedy product line."
"Improve the GUI and documentation."
"The page loading is very slow."
"When we work in an environment, the production environment continuously changes and at that time we should have knowledge about the new server (node). However, the auto-discovery part should automatically discover the new CI (node/servers) in an environment and inform the IT person."
"Making it simpler to set up and understand would be a big improvement."
"The implementation could be simplified."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"CMDB is more expensive than one of its competitors."
"It is competitive."
"Compared with other solutions, I would say that it's more expensive especially since we have an on-premise version and an older implementation."
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Configuration Management Databases solutions are best for your needs.
865,140 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
15%
Government
11%
Educational Organization
11%
Computer Software Company
11%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Wholesaler/Distributor
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about BMC Atrium CMDB?
The main feature is the relational model database, where you define relationships between CIs. Being able to establish CI relationships and building a service model is a key aspect of CMDB.
What needs improvement with BMC Atrium CMDB?
Recently, improvements have been more focused on the interface side. The core code itself is stable. For instance, there's been a transition from using Flash on the interface to more modern externa...
What is your primary use case for BMC Atrium CMDB?
The Atrium CMDB is where you would store all your configuration items, whether they're physical or logical. For example, server PCs, routers, switches, and other network devices, as well as the sof...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Universal CMDB?
OpenText's pricing is fine. It is not too expensive. I would rate it a six out of ten in terms of costliness.
What needs improvement with Universal CMDB?
Based on my experience and what I have heard from clients, there are two main areas where Universal CMDB could get better. First, the way it shows results to users could be more user-friendly. Seco...
What is your primary use case for Universal CMDB?
I use Universal Discovery and Universal CMDB for two main tasks: first, to discover what is happening in our IT system, like finding out what devices and software we have. Then, we use Universal CM...
 

Also Known As

Atrium CMDB
Micro Focus Universal Discovery and Universal CMDB, Micro Focus Universal CMDB, UCMDB, HPE Universal CMDB
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Brookfield
China Merchants Bank, NNIT, Alfa-Bank, Sprint
Find out what your peers are saying about BMC Helix CMDB vs. OpenText Universal Discovery and Universal CMDB and other solutions. Updated: July 2025.
865,140 professionals have used our research since 2012.