IT Asset Management

- --

Information Technology Asset Management:

  

Why do we need to look at Lifecycle Asset Management - Drawing additional benefit from current budget limitations, the ability to administer assets more efficiently, reduction of direct costs and support costs, and lowering the total cost of ownership; these are all areas dear to management when trying to manage major and very numerous assets.
Unfortunately due to perceptions in the industry created historically such as:
  • It’s a logistic/finance/IT responsibility;
  • It would cost too much to instigate and administer;
  • It is not our priority at present, we are busy putting out fires in other areas of IT;
  • There is not the time to do it;
  • It’s all too hard.
pic of IT assets requiring management under ITAM
Little effort has been invested into improving or implementing good lifecycle IT asset management although these perceptions are, as a general rule, false.
What are the Triggers calling for Change? - Often triggers will be given that should alert an organisation to the need to review and update to ‘best practice’ methods of asset management. (full lifecyle asset management). Examples may be:
  • Not happy with a supplier – and not entirely sure why;
  • Concerned about the cost of supply but unable to verify just what that cost is;
  • Unhappy with the SLA’s surrounding delivery of assets;
  • Find it hard to track assets for when deployed;
  • Unable to clearly state the configuration of assets;
  • Not entirely sure of the software license status, either purchase, deployment or reconciliation;
  • Unsure of the cost of warranty;
  • Lease arrangements, contracts, and returns are a nightmare to administer;
  • Not able to provide details on maintenance on an asset;
  • Unsure of which asset is connected to another;
  • Unable to provide consolidated views of financial information;
  • Wanting to transfer costs to the business but do not have the functionality available;
  • Would like to automate process for purchasing and resourcing within an organisation;
  • Have a web based policy but its procurement and asset processes are PC based;
  • Utilises manual processes with the management of its assets.
So where from here? - An organisation will generally be experiencing more than one of the above issues. The next step is to evaluate the impact, cost and the risk to the organisation, and provide a strategy to improve on this situation. This can be achieved through a proactive study that can be carried out by CBA Consulting's Strategic IT consultants. This study (Total Economic Impact) can clearly show the Return on Investment (ROI) as calculated by comparing the potential benefits to license, maintenance, implementation, training, and administration costs. The result is adjusted for risk to deliver a conservative return on investment yet provides a compelling business case.

The TEI report highlights any potential savings that can be made, and also shows ways that can release real cash back to the business.
Call us now to arrange for a TEI study to determine the benefits you could be gaining from IT Asset Management.

 

Process is King in IT Asset Management - Rean Fadyl

Ensuring your business has the right level of asset management is essential to keeping hold of the reins in a fast changing IT environment. In the last 5 years spurred on by the increasing profile of ITIL a general consensus has evolved among IT managers that asset and configuration Management should be in place for all medium to large IT environments.

The catch is that implementing a good asset management practice that combines the right mix of software, process and people can be an intimidating exercise.
 

 

Begin with the end in mind when leasing IT - Rean Fadyl

Leasing is a popular option for acquiring new technology. This is largely due to the financial flexibility it provides. Sadly many organisations encounter unexpected expense at the end of a lease which sours the experience.

Gartner warns that “ poorly applied or inadequately managed PC leasing will have negative consequences on Total Cost of Ownership”.
 

 

- - - - - - Email: information@CBA Consulting