Most businesses rely on hardware far more than they realize.
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Technology is an integral part of life, and as such, laptops, routers, printers, and point-of-sale devices are all essential components in the daily operations.
Hardware Asset Management is really about knowing what you have, what condition it is in, and where it is located. It involves meticulous recording keeping and making sure everything stays properly maintained or upgraded.
When your hardware is properly organized and managed, people can do their jobs without added frustration and delays. Below are five things every business should know about Hardware Asset Management:
1. Device Lifecycle
Perhaps one of the most important things to know about hardware assessment management: every device has a lifecycle.
Hardware, from purchase to end-of-life, moves through predictable stages. Get to know the stages for your hardware so you can budget and avoid surprises.
2. Proactive Maintenance
Proactive maintenance may look like extra spending on the surface, but it actually saves you from the kind of expensive IT disasters that seem to strike at the worst possible moment.
Instead of waiting for a printer to stage a meltdown and flatly refuse to print when you have an urgent document that needs printing, proactive maintenance helps your IT team stay ahead of the chaos.
Update smart access devices, clean equipment so that it doesn’t gather dust, and check for weird noises or hinky performance. When hardware just works, people can get on with their jobs without constant interruptions.
3. Update Your Inventory
You cannot manage hardware assets if you do not see them.
An accurate, up-to-date inventory is an essential part of management. No, your dusty, old spreadsheet doesn’t count.
Granted, it is not the most exciting part of the job, but it will save your team a surprising amount of frustration down the line. When everything is properly accounted for, you don’t end up buying duplicates or running out of essential equipment and parts.
Hardware asset managers must know all of the company’s hardware like the back of their hands, including items in use, support equipment, and hardware that is in storage.
4. Standardized Hardware
When everyone uses the same models of laptops, printers, and accessories, your entire IT ecosystem becomes much easier to manage.
There are fewer mystery issues and no more compatibility surprises. This strategy also helps keep costs down because you can bulk-buy spares and predict maintenance needs.
Onboarding new employees will also be easier, and your team can eliminate the “mine looks different” moments during troubleshooting.
5. Track Warranties
The last (and often the most overlooked) way to make your IT team’s life easier is to make sure they actually track your warranties.
All new hardware and devices come with a specified warranty period, and as small as that sounds, they can make a huge difference.
Instead of shelling out thousands for emergency repairs or replacements, your team simply has to log a claim and let the manufacturer sort it out – something you’ve already paid for anyway.
Warranties might not prevent things from going wrong, but they can turn an expensive crisis moment into a mild (and manageable) inconvenience.
To End
There you have it – nothing overly complicated, just practical tips to help your business stay ahead.
