What is the Importance of IT Asset Management (ITAM)?

Every organization has IT assets. These include laptops, cell phones, TVs, equipment, and other hardware tools used to conduct daily business. As a result, every organization needs an IT Asset Management (ITAM) process to maintain the health of all IT assets. With proper ITAM, an organization maximizes its resources, improves operations, and maintains security.
Why is ITAM so important?
Let’s break it down.
1. Maintain A Clear View of Your Assets
The first step of managing IT assets is to know where everything is at all times. With proper ITAM, you maintain an accurate inventory of your hardware, including details like who is assigned to which device. With a powerful ITAM tool like Teqtivity, you can access this information in real-time from one dashboard as opposed to flipping through outdated programs and error-prone Excel sheets.
2. Stay Within Your IT Budget
Organizations that are not properly managing their IT assets risk spending 30% of their IT budget unnecessarily. This can be avoided by identifying underutilized assets, avoiding unnecessary purchases, and staying compliant. This way, every asset your organization owns is used fully and securely, maximizing your investments.
3. Security, Security, Security
Mismanaging your IT assets leaves you exposed to security risks. Those abandoned laptops in the closet or those duplicate devices you gave to employees are examples of vulnerable assets. If those devices land in the wrong hands, they can result in cyber threats. It’s best to keep a tight ship with your IT assets, knowing where everything is and with who, leaving no room for error.
4. Happier & Less Stressed IT Team
When you have the right ITAM plan, your IT team runs smoother. Instead of wasting time tracking down assets and going back and forth for details to solve tickets, your IT team has access to the information they need to solve issues quicker. This removes tedious manual tasks and allows your team to focus on other projects that need more attention.
5. Planning for the Future
The neat thing about having a clear picture of all your IT assets and their usage is that you’re able to make smarter decisions about your future needs. You are able to allocate future investments, identify upgrade needs, and know when it’s time to scale. This process is facilitated by having an ITAM tool that allows you to easily create reports that give you the data necessary to make decisions.
Final Thoughts
The bottom line is that your organization needs a concrete IT Asset Management process. Additionally, having ITAM software is fundamental to accomplish everything listed above and more. If you’re thinking about upgrading your ITAM process, contact us to learn how Teqtivity can make a difference.