What is Hardware Asset Management?
Hardware Asset Management (HAM) encompasses the processes, tools, and strategies involved in managing the physical components of computers and related IT systems. It is a subset of IT management and focuses exclusively on the lifecycle management of hardware assets, starting from their acquisition and continuing until their final disposal.
TL;DR
Hardware Asset Management (HAM) involves overseeing the lifecycle of physical IT components.
It encompasses devices, network equipment, data center gear, and peripherals.
HAM’s benefits include loss prevention, increased productivity, optimized asset usage, and enhanced security.
The HAM lifecycle consists of six stages: Request, Fulfill, Deploy, Monitor, Service, and Retire.
Hardware assets include tangible, physical technology assets used within an organization, whether currently in use, in storage, or as support equipment. These assets fall into four primary categories:
- End-user devices: These are hardware assets used directly by employees in their daily work, such as computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, SIM cards, and personal devices used for business purposes.
- Network/telecom hardware: This category comprises equipment that facilitates digital and analog communication, including routers, switches, load balancers, and telephony and video-conferencing systems.
- Data-center equipment: This includes hardware essential for data centers to function effectively, such as servers, utilities, and security devices.
- Peripherals: Peripherals encompass various support equipment found in modern office environments, such as scanners, printers, monitors, keyboards, headsets, projectors, cables, and adapters.
Additionally, with the rise of remote work, HAM must adapt to cater to the physical equipment used by remote workers to perform their job functions.
How to Implement Hardware Asset Management?
Hardware Asset Management involves a well-defined lifecycle with six key stages:
- Request: In this initial stage, organizational hardware needs are determined based on various factors like priorities, business data, compliance, and budget constraints. It involves identifying necessary hardware solutions and submitting requests for procurement.
- Fulfill: Once budgets are finalized, and hardware options are selected, the fulfillment stage begins. It involves selecting vendors, assessing technical support and warranty options, and ensuring compatibility with existing IT assets. For organizations allowing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies, fulfillment ensures secure access for personal devices used for work purposes.
- Deploy: After procurement and asset tagging, hardware assets are configured and deployed. For end-user devices, this may involve employee sign-outs and agreement to acceptable-use policies. Assets are transported to designated work areas, configured, and integrated with existing technologies.
- Monitor: Continuous monitoring is crucial to mitigate risks and maintain optimal hardware performance. Monitoring helps identify aging assets, prevent unauthorized access, and ensure compliance with IT and security protocols.
- Service: Regular maintenance, updates, and upgrades are part of the service stage. Hardware Asset Managers (HAMs) review asset conditions and decide whether assets should be recycled, reassigned, or retired during this phase.
- Retire: At the end of the hardware asset’s service life or when it becomes unrepairable or insecure, it is decommissioned and retired from active use. Assets are updated within the company’s systems, and corporate data is wiped before assets are returned, sold, donated, recycled, or disposed of properly.
Real-time Benefits of Hardware Asset Management:
- Improved Loss Prevention: Accurate cataloging of all hardware assets, including those in storage, reduces the risk of asset loss or theft. Asset tagging, ownership assignment, and location tracking enhance asset security.
- Enhanced Productivity: Efficient HAM processes free up employees from managing hardware, allowing them to focus on more valuable tasks. Predictive maintenance and automation further improve efficiency.
- Optimized Usage: HAM helps ensure that employees use company equipment correctly and maximize its utility. Accurate asset inventories prevent overspending and optimize hardware investments.
- Increased Security and Compliance: Complete hardware asset listings, including version information, support security teams in creating comprehensive coverage strategies and identifying vulnerable assets. It also helps ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
- Effective Lifecycle Management: HAM provides visibility and control over the entire asset lifecycle. Asset managers can make informed decisions about vendor contracts, replacements, and maintenance, optimizing asset management.