IT Asset Management (ITAM) - Hardware Asset Management (HAM)

Launch an asset management program by securing executive buy-in, align IT and finance, and unlock budgeting and forecasting benefits with a sponsor such as the CIO or CTO.

Decide which assets are in scope versus out of scope by weighing tracking costs, benefits, and security risks, then document asset categorization.

Explore SaaS, a cloud-hosted software accessible via the internet, enabling use anytime while eliminating internal servers and maintenance costs and shifting hardware security to the vendor, with flexible pricing.

Use asset repositories rather than spreadsheets for IT asset management to capture change history, traceability, governance, audit trails, and real-time updates. Enable multi-user collaboration with field validation to prevent errors.

Learn how discovery software scans a network to identify ip-addressable assets, logs changes, and updates the asset repository, while comparing agent-based and agentless approaches and noting limitations.

Design and implement comprehensive ITAM processes to guide asset receiving, checkout, checking, moves, audits, reconciliations, disposal, and termination, with clear RACI responsibilities.

Learn how iMac governs install, move, add, and change events across an asset’s life cycle, from installation to decommissioning, with updates logged in the asset repository.

Explore the asset lifecycle from planning to retirement, detailing acquisition, deployment, and management activities, data accuracy, governance, upgrades, and secure disposition through Itad and IT security.

Organizations coordinate asset procurement using requests for information, proposals, and quotes to purchase assets. A purchase requisition in an enterprise resource planning system triggers the procurement workflow.

Master asset tagging to track hardware with alphanumeric 1D/2D barcoded tags, scan into a repository, log movements in real time, and ensure unique IDs and industry-standard compliance.

Explore RFID tags for hardware asset management, comparing active and passive tags, their costs, maintenance, and how reader placement near entrances and data centers enables real-time inventory.

GPS tracking enables near real-time location updates for moving hardware assets, boosting visibility, theft deterrence, and recovery. It emphasizes strategic tag placement, clean tagging surfaces, and trained teams for accountability.

Explore asset redeployment, where returned hardware is reused to cut costs, environmental impact, and boost return on investment, with factors like maintenance, shipping, and local procurement.

Asset storerooms securely store assets when not in use, with shelves for easy locating, while centralized stock distribution improves requests and accountability by restricting access to authorized personnel.

Log asset checkout records in the asset repository, signed by the IT engineer, and require a form listing location, serial numbers, asset tags, end-user cost center, and approvals.

Track consumables from purchase to storage and deployment, including cables, adapters, earphones, cartridges, and keyboards, to maintain visibility and accountability via asset checkout details, with vending machines to simplify access.

Learn how warranties contract with manufacturers, cover repair or replacement for new assets, and how logging warranties in the asset repository enables IT asset management to reduce costs and downtime.

Learn how IT asset management processes returned assets—triggered by employee departures or tech refresh—and transfers custody, while documenting asset tag, serial number, and condition in the asset repository for audits.

Navigate IT asset disposal through a systematic IT asset disposition process, coordinating with stakeholders to identify assets, assess value, and secure CTO or CFO sign-off for secure disposal.

Identify data-storing assets, then work with the IT helpdesk to wipe data after removing software to enable reuse and prevent licensing issues. Consider degaussing and repurposing or donating assets.

Explore it chargeback as departments are charged to a cost center for assets and services, whether user-based or shared, to drive cost awareness and asset reuse.