About IT Asset Management

Right now and for the foreseeable future, your IT assets are your business, more so than your physical offices or the events you typically host and attend.

Since those IT assets are so important right now, let’s give them the care and attention they deserve with a little IT asset management.

What Is IT Asset Management?

Also known as “ITAM” (the tech world loves acronyms), IT asset management is the process of overseeing the full lifecycle of every single one of an organization’s IT assets, including software, hardware, mobile devices, and the cloud.

We’re talking everything here: tablets, laptops, phones, copiers, printers, servers, routers, CAD software, Microsoft 365 / Office 365, IoT – even cloud solutions like Salesforce, Dropbox, Evernote, and iCloud. Though many people overlook cloud-based IT asset managing, it’s important to remember that every tangible or intangible piece of IT you’ve got is an IT asset and must be managed appropriately.

IT asset management best practices include tracking and maintenance focused on optimization, patching, upgrades to cheaper or better solutions, and software license management. (That last one helps you avoid embarrassing software expiration notices during a videoconference screenshare.)

Lastly, asset management also includes getting rid of old, janky tech. No one wants dusty piles of computer towers cluttering up their prime Seattle commercial retail square footage. (In a WFH environment, no one wants old computer towers cluttering up their mudroom.)

How IT Asset Management Works

Spreadsheets suck for long-term use, so an asset management system uses software to track items and trigger actions – things like upgrading and license renewals. Entering items into the software is tedious and time-consuming, but the really hard part is management.

Honestly, IT management is a lot of work and is one of the biggest asset management challenges, but the benefits of IT management include:

• Keeping hardware and software compliant
• Improving cybersecurity and supporting Zero Trust
• Saving money by not spending so much on shadow IT

Overall, the purpose of managing IT assets is to make sure your company’s critical tech is fully functional, secure, and accounted for at all times. That way, you can get the most out of your expensive tech investments.

How to Set Up IT Asset Management – 2 Ways

Ready to set up your own IT management program? You have two choices:

1. Hire an internal IT Asset Manager with salary + benefits.
2. Work with outsourced IT experts who will handle it all for you, at a reasonable monthly cost.

If Option 2 sounds like the right choice to you, we happen to have just the outsourcer to recommend for IT management consulting…

Since 2001, Interplay has been helping Seattle-based business leaders get more out of their business tech, offering friendly, round-the-clock support and hands-on IT management that keeps your organization on track. Our services will help you keep your IT costs as low as possible while maintaining high performance.

Learn more about IT consulting & asset management services from Interplay.

 

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