A cloud-based tool helps to manage and safeguard your IT inventory while also assisting with compliance and reducing overall costs. If you have more than 50 employees and an IT infrastructure spread across multiple locations, managing IT assets without cloud-based ITAM software can prove very challenging.
Whereas, if you’re part of a small business with very few IT assets, then using a simple spreadsheet system could be just as beneficial.
What Is Meant by the Management of IT Assets?
One main purpose of IT Asset Management (ITAM) Software is to help track and manage your IT infrastructure.
This infrastructure could include hardware, such as servers and computers, and software, such as antivirus packages.
It can also incorporate digital assets (photos, videos and databases), mobile devices, and furniture such as desks and chairs.
Effective applications can also help to understand the lifecycle of your assets, from purchase through to disposal. As well as assisting companies in tracking device locations and identifying products, usage and cost details.
Integrations
Different types of cloud asset software can integrate with other functions, such as service management, to better deal with technical support.
For example, when an employee reports an incident or an error with their computer, a technician could have access to all the important details about that piece of equipment.
Then, using the right tools, they can identify the computer’s make and model number, check its warranty, and see how much space is available on the hard drive. They can then troubleshoot the error based on that information, without even leaving their desk.
Cloud Applications
Most modern ITAM tools feature applications that are available via cloud computing. This means that the software, and all associated data, are hosted on an external platform.
Utilising cloud-based software can then allow a business to switch from an on-premise system.
Why Are Cloud-Based Tools Important in Modern IT Businesses?
“Cloud” is a technology that is transforming the way a business operates, including IT asset management. Cloud software is updated by the vendor whenever updates or patches need to be installed, which is one less worry for businesses.
These applications can be purchased via a recurring subscription, which makes the costs much more manageable as opposed to buying and owning software outright.
Software-as-a-Service models are typically user-based, so businesses must ensure they manage and track the software licences as effectively as any other IT asset. If an employee using the software leaves, that user licence must then be recycled to a new user.
Finally, cloud-based tools can provide more flexibility than a static, on-premise, solution. For example, imagine you need to increase the data capacity across your IT network. It could be a straightforward process to adjust a cloud-based plan, but not necessarily so if you needed to do this on-premise.
What Is the Future of Cloud Asset Management?
Cloud services technology has seen rapid growth in recent years. Because of this, companies no longer need masses of physical space to keep their servers and datacenters on-site.
Neither do they need to invest large sums of money to use software to help them manage and track their assets.
However, with cloud-based management software on the rise, some businesses may have concerns regarding cybersecurity and data-sharing. Concerns could become an issue with third parties handling important data.
But, it’s important to note that these software vendors build their businesses on cloud computing. Meaning, your data will be just as important to them as it is to you.
For companies migrating from on-premise solutions, the switch to cloud asset management may be challenging at first.
But, with software vendors focusing on new cloud subscription models, this process can be a smooth and quick transition process.
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