Helpful Summary
Overview: Traditional methods like spreadsheets cancreate visibility issues and inefficient tracking of IT assets. We explore effective hardware asset management tools, like BlueTally, that offer an automated solution to these issues, simplifying hardware asset management.
Why you can trust us: Our clients, ranging from construction to IT and education, have highlighted key benefits from using our solution, such as ease of setup, responsive support, and powerful integrations with IT systems.
Why this is important: Choosing the right asset management tool is crucial for managing and accounting for your diverse hardware asset inventory, including end-user devices and data center equipment. This management enhances productivity, saves costs, and provides better control over IT inventory.
Action points: To streamline your hardware asset management, switch from traditional tracking methods to BlueTally’s intuitive cloud-based software.
Further research: For a comprehensive understanding and practical application, sign up for a free trial of BlueTally, which offers full access and quick setup without requiring a credit card.
Want To Find The Best Hardware Asset Management Tools?
Using spreadsheets and slow manual tasks to track your physical computer assets creates a lot of headaches. There’s a lack of visibility as you can’t identify your current IT inventory in any given location. You can’t track the asset’s warranty status and make the correct repair or replacement decisions easily, as you’ll be spending more time delving through cells and columns trying to find the asset you need.
Thankfully, a hardware asset management platform can fix these problems by automatically monitoring your computer components, systems, and software. Below, BlueTally takes a deep dive into three asset management tools to help you gain control over your assets. Let’s get into it.
Why Listen To Us?
At BlueTally, we specialize in simplifying IT asset management. Our approach has been a game-changer for businesses in diverse sectors. For instance, we've transformed the way companies track IT assets like computers and smartphones, streamlining their operations.
Our tool is a favorite for managing fixed assets too, helping businesses maintain accurate records and understand their asset value. We even tackle software license management, providing a clear view of license allocation.
Our clients, using BlueTally's easy-to-use asset management software, have witnessed significant growth. They've found it easy to locate assets, track repairs, and manage checkouts efficiently.
That's our expertise in action: delivering practical solutions, driving real growth.
What is Hardware Asset Management?
Hardware asset management (HAM) is the process of monitoring your physical computer components and systems from the moment you acquire them until you dispose of them. The entire HAM process is part of IT asset management (ITAM) and helps your IT department gain control over computer assets.
Here are examples of hardware assets HAM can help you manage and account for:
- End-user devices: Tablets, smartphones, SIM cards, and computers.
- Network hardware: Telephone and video conferencing equipment, switches, etc.
- Data-center equipment: Security devices, utilities, and servers
- Peripherals: Cables, scanners, projectors, headsets, printers, etc.
It’s now easier than before to track your physical IT computer inventory with hardware asset management tools like BlueTally. It’s a HAM platform that lets you manage your valuable hardware assets as easily as 1, 2, and 3. Don’t just take our word for it! Try out BlueTally with a free trial.
Why Hardware Asset Management is Important
Incorporating hardware asset lifecycle management into your IT systems has immense benefits for your hardware asset managers. It allows you to answer these questions about your resources:
- Where is it? Know the number of assets you have in a specific location.
- Who has it? Know who has the particular assets you’re looking for.
- How many are left? Identify the resources you use, have on hand for repairs, or have sold.
Let’s explore more reasons below:
Saving costs
Besides asset acquisition, the asset lifecycle includes service and maintenance. Servicing your physical IT computer components keeps them in good shape and reduces the risk of constant breakdowns.
Also, HAM software notifies you when you should dispose of an asset due to age or when it’s obsolete. You can avoid overspending on maintenance costs for assets that would be better off as scrap when you stick to IT asset management best practices.
Enhances productivity
Managing and tracking your IT resources manually is time-consuming, ineffective, and expensive in the long term. Workers can fail to account for some assets or record them in the relevant books. But you can ensure accuracy and efficiency by following HAM best practices.
Rather than spending hours examining spreadsheets, HAM software allows your workers to focus on more important tasks.
IT inventory control
If you still use countless spreadsheets to manage your hardware assets, it’s easy for some things to slip through the cracks. You can lose control of your valuable IT resources. Thanks to hardware asset management tools, you can know what and where your assets are.
As a result, you can regain control and keep tabs on your IT inventory.
Criteria to Consider in Choosing Hardware Asset Management System
As you consider working with a hardware asset management vendor, be sure to look for expertise and logistics capabilities. You want a partner who can provide 24/7 customer support to help you when you experience tech glitches. It ensures you can continue production with minimal disruptions or downtime.
Here are more factors you need to consider when selecting HAM software:
Does the HAM system have the features you need?
Find out whether the hardware asset management software has the necessary features you need. Invest in a tool that’ll give you a good ROI in the long run. For example, modern HAM systems have the following features:
- Asset lifecycle management: Track your IT hardware from the time you buy them until you dispose of them.
- Analytics: Get in-depth statistics on your current assets, including deployed resources and users.
- Maintenance: Analyze hardware reports to know which hardware needs repairs, replacement, or disposal.
- Hardware Normalization: Standardize your asset data by manufacturer name, model number, and model name.
- Hardware Asset Dashboard: Get a quick overview of your resources on a centralized dashboard.
- Asset audit: Run a physical verification of your assets to know the resources you own.
Is the HAM software cloud-based or on-site?
A cloud-based hardware asset management product is mobile-friendly and accessible to remote workers. Because the cloud stores your data, power outages do not affect your records. Regardless of any issues your company might face, you can rest assured knowing that your data is completely safe.
On-premise or hybrid tools are preferable if you handle vast amounts of assets.
Technical support
You'll also need technical expertise to integrate, implement, update, and maintain your HAM system. It’s also essential to receive technical support from the vendor promptly to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Warranty
Does the hardware asset management vendor provide a warranty in case something goes wrong with the system?
3 Best Hardware Asset Management Systems
The right HAM system enables you to track your assets, make the right decisions, and ensure you use your equipment efficiently. It also comes in handy if you sell your business or liquidate your assets. Here are three of the top hardware asset management tools on the market today.
#1. BlueTally: Best for Managing Assets On Time
BlueTally is intelligent, cloud-based hardware asset management software that empowers you to gain control over your assets. This nifty application lets you monitor and manage your physical IT inventory, like computers, tablets, etc., throughout the asset lifecycle.
Key Features:
- Assign Assets and Checkin/Checkout: Take charge of your assets by assigning them to a location or an employee by checking out.
- Asset Audit and Maintenance: Keep track of your upcoming asset audits and scheduled audits.
- Dashboard: Get a glance at your current asset value, number of checked assets, and more.
- Asset Depreciation: Understand the full value of your assets through an automated depreciation report.
- Custom Fields and Status Labels: Add custom fields by text, checkboxes, numbers, dropdowns, etc., to organize your product assets.
- Integrations: Make asset management a breeze by connecting your most popular apps, such as Azure Active Directory, Intune, Jamf, Teams, Okta, Slack, OneLogin, and so much more.
Pricing:
Get started with BlueTally’s freemium plan (50 assets/month). Or take advantage of the Unlimited plan ($29 for unlimited assets per month) plus email support. More advanced features are available with the Pro package ($69 for unlimited assets per month) and the Business plan ($99 for unlimited assets/month).
Pros:
- Easy navigation
- Asset barcodes to effortlessly track your valuable resources
- Free trial to try out the software
- User-friendly interface
- Competitive pricing for small-mid sized businesses
Cons:
- Report excel sheet needs improvement
- Relatively young product
#2. ManageEngine AssetExplorer: Best for Supporting Different IT Business Types
ManageEngine AssetExplore is an asset management tool that offers web-based features and tools for the entire asset lifecycle. Use this platform to manage your inventory, administer software licensing, and comply with regulations.
Key Features:
- IT Asset Management: Track your assets from purchase to disposal.
- Software Asset Management and License Compliance: Use flash charts to stay compliant with license agreements.
- Reports: Create detailed custom reports to keep tabs on your assets.
Pricing:
The SaaS company charges $795 for 250 IT assets, and its pricing is based on IT assets (equipment with an IP address) and is available upon request. You can enjoy features, like asset tracking, end-to-end ITAM, software license management, etc., when you choose a specific pricing plan.
Pros:
- Feature-rich tool set with mature technology
- Easy to set up
- Budget-friendly price
- Great windows-style user interface
Cons:
- No mobile application
- Not ideal for small businesses with a few IT employees
#3. Asset Panda: Best for Managing Different Assets
Asset Panda is cloud-based asset tracking software that helps you manage and monitor laptops, contracts, lawnmowers, and more. Its integrations let you store your manuals, warranty documents, actual histories, and photos in one place.
Key Features:
- Integrations: Connect your favorite apps to centralize your asset management.
- Dashboard: View reports and asset history, and manage assets on the move.
- Custom notifications: Keep everyone on the team informed about your asset management system.
Pricing:
Pricing is available upon request, as you must fill out a form to get more details.
Pros:
- Centralized asset management creates a single source of truth
- Disaster recovery capabilities in case you lose your data
- Customized reports for asset analysis
- Technical support via email
Cons:
- Extended user learning curve
- Some tools like barcode scanned need improvement
Track the entire asset lifecycle effortlessly with a cloud-based asset management software
A hardware asset management tool is a must-have resource for your IT physical inventory. You can keep your valuable assets under lock and key and monitor them from the time you acquire them until you get rid of them. With a product like BlueTally, you can say goodbye to spreadsheets, tedious manual asset tracking, and guessing what and where your assets are.
Want to gain control of your hardware assets? Sign up for a free trial today to take advantage of BlueTally’s robust HAM system. No credit card is required.
