What should IT managers in asset management know?

• Repairs might not have to be paid if the guarantee information for each piece of equipment is readily available.
• The costing cannot be challenged if it is based on provable facts.
• Service requests can be answered more quickly if the configuration data is immediately available.
• Rollouts and budgets can be planned more reliably if acquisition data, prices and usage of the existing equipment is available.

Reliable information on all computers installed in the company, their configuration, users, cost and utilisation summarised in one place – that’s Spider Asset. IT Asset Management collects facts from various sources. The current technical configurations originate from the inventory (like for example Microsoft SMS or Tivoli). They are supplemented by user data updated from, for example, digital user administration (active directory). The debit to the cost centre and commercial evaluation come from the book keeping system.

All data is organised hierarchically: even if several components of a server or workstation are exchanged no connections are changed. In everyday operations, all facts in Asset Management are available on the web-based user interface - in situ during maintenance or during a rollout. Or centrally in the technical department when facts for reports or decisions are being collected.

Reliable data from a single source, from IT Asset Management, is thus available for the IT department, IT management and for controlling:

• Utilisation: which computer is used for what?
• Life cycle: what investments must be made in the coming months? What upgrade possibilities are there?
• User Help Desk: how is an actual workstation configured? Why do disruptions occur?
• Cost Accounting: what expenses has a workstation incurred? Who is responsible for these costs?
• Server Planning: which application runs on which server? Which department uses a server to what extent?