Key Features of IT Asset Management Software

Companies of all sizes, across all industries are turning to IT asset management software as a means of achieving complete, unhindered visibility into their technology architectures. With an IT asset management software solution in place, organizations can maximize the value of their technology assets, and fully leverage their existing infrastructures to accelerate return on investment and reach their most mission-critical business goals.

An IT asset management software application offers a broad range of robust features and capabilities designed to facilitate dramatic improvements in the way companies handle vital technology-related processes and functions, such as:

Procurement. Many companies suffer from disjointed, inefficient processes when it comes to technology procurement. IT asset management software standardizes and centralizes technology-related sourcing, purchasing, and acquisition activities, so they can be planned and executed in a more coordinated manner.
Deployment. With IT asset management software, organizations can obtain in-depth insight into how the various components of their technology infrastructure need to link and integrate in order to enhance operations across the enterprise.
System administration. IT asset management software helps companies keep the hardware and software components within their technology environments current and up-to-date at all times – a key requirement for achieving maximum operational efficiency, as well as maintaining a competitive edge – by enabling them to track update, maintenance, and security requirements in a more accurate and timely fashion.
Analysis. Companies who use IT asset management software experience a heightened ability to rapidly uncover opportunities to improve the performance of their technology environments. IT asset management software packages make it easier for these businesses to find new ways to optimize system utilization, speed, accessibility, and cost-efficiency.
Compliance. Technology plays a major role in ensuring compliance with government legislation and other guidelines. With IT asset management software, organizations can ensure that all systems and applications are tightly aligned with their regulatory requirements.

Most IT asset management software solutions on the market today support the functions listed above by providing a variety of modules for all those involved in the acquisition, implementation, and administration of technology assets, including staff in purchasing, IT engineering, technical support, inventory, and finance departments. These modules offer capabilities that automate and streamline such activities and tasks as:

The evaluation and selection of technology solutions
Procurement and vendor/supplier relationship management
Technology lifecycle management
System maintenance and administration
End-to-end management of all hardware and software assets, including telephony and communication systems
System upgrades, disposals, and replacements

But, IT asset management is about more than just software. In order to implement the most successful enterprise-wide strategy possible, organizations will also need to deploy a variety of other tools such as comprehensive network diagrams, servers, equipment for data centers and communication support systems, WAN/LAN circuits, desktop computers, and software and peripherals for end users.

Additionally, in order to effectively support IT asset management software implementations, other systems within the enterprise – such as supply chain, help desk, and procurement applications – will need to be seamlessly integrated.