Avoid costly errors with your IT Asset Management System! Discover the 7 most common mistakes businesses make and learn how to fix them for better efficiency, security, and cost savings.
An IT Asset Management System (ITAM) helps businesses track, manage, and organize their IT assets like hardware, software, and cloud services. It keeps everything in one place, making it easier to control costs, improve security, and ensure assets are being used efficiently.
But, many companies struggle to use their ITAM system correctly. Common mistakes can lead to wasted money, security risks, compliance issues, and poor productivity. The good news is that these mistakes are avoidable.
Here are 7 mistakes businesses often make with their IT Asset Management System and simple ways to fix them.
Keeping IT asset records updated is essential for smooth operations, cost savings, and security. Yet, many businesses fail to maintain accurate data, leading to lost equipment, duplicate purchases, compliance risks, and inefficient resource allocation.
When IT asset records are outdated, businesses lose track of equipment, making it difficult to determine who is using which devices or where they are located. This issue is particularly common in remote work environments, where employees use company-issued laptops and mobile devices. 30% of IT assets go missing due to poor tracking, leading to financial and operational losses. Retire-IT
If asset records are inaccurate, IT teams might unintentionally purchase hardware or software they already own but fail to utilize properly. 38% of IT spending is wasted due to underutilized or duplicate purchases. Flexera State of ITAM
Companies can save thousands of dollars annually by maintaining a centralized, real-time IT asset inventory.
Industry regulations such as ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and SOX require businesses to keep accurate IT asset records. Failure to do so can result in:
Businesses that fail to maintain proper asset tracking risk non-compliance penalties ranging from $50,000 to millions of dollars. (GDPR EU)
Without updated records, IT teams struggle during internal or external audits. If an auditor asks for proof of compliance, but there’s no clear documentation of who has access to which assets, it can result in compliance failures or lost productivity.
88% of organizations struggle with IT audits due to missing or outdated asset records. (IAITAM)
To prevent lost assets, unnecessary expenses, and compliance risks, businesses must ensure their IT asset records are always up to date. Here are the best strategies to fix this issue:
Manual tracking using spreadsheets or outdated systems leads to errors and missing records. Implementing an IT Asset Management System (ITAM) ensures real-time updates and accurate tracking of all assets.
Recommended ITAM tools:
Tip: Choose an ITAM system with barcode or RFID scanning for easy tracking of hardware assets.
Even with automation, it’s important to verify asset records manually through scheduled audits. Audits help identify:
Best practice: Audit at least 10-20% of IT assets every quarter to keep records accurate. (IAITAM)
Every asset should have a designated owner or department responsible for keeping records updated. This ensures accountability and prevents assets from going missing.
How to implement it:
Many businesses forget to update records when assets are repaired, replaced, or disposed of. ITAM tools allow businesses to set automated reminders for: Maintenance schedules (to avoid asset failure) License renewals (to prevent compliance issues) End-of-life replacements (to prevent security risks from outdated hardware)
Example: TechTarget suggests setting alerts 30-60 days before an asset's renewal or maintenance deadline.
To ensure seamless tracking, businesses should integrate ITAM with: IT Service Management (ITSM) tools (e.g., ServiceNow ITSM) Cybersecurity tools to monitor asset vulnerabilities Finance tools to track asset costs and depreciation
Why this helps: It eliminates data silos, ensuring all teams have access to real-time IT asset information.
Software plays a vital role in business operations, but many companies fail to track and manage their licenses properly. This can lead to unnecessary expenses, security risks, and legal penalties. Poor license management often results in paying for unused software, non-compliance with vendor agreements, and exposure to cybersecurity threats.
Many businesses spend money on software that isn’t fully used. Some continue to renew licenses for outdated applications, while others purchase more licenses than needed to avoid shortages. Without a clear system in place, it becomes difficult to track usage, leading to wasteful spending.
Software vendors regularly audit companies to ensure compliance with licensing agreements. If a business is using more licenses than purchased, they may face costly fines. On the other hand, failure to renew or maintain licenses properly can also lead to legal trouble. Without a structured process for tracking licenses, companies risk unexpected compliance issues.
Expired or unmonitored software creates serious security threats. Unsupported software no longer receives security updates, making it a target for hackers. Cybercriminals often exploit outdated applications to steal sensitive business data.
Unmanaged licenses can also cause software conflicts. Employees may use different versions of the same software, leading to workflow disruptions and compatibility issues. This slows down productivity and creates unnecessary IT problems.
A Software Asset Management (SAM) system helps businesses track all software licenses, monitor usage, and ensure compliance. This reduces the risk of overspending, unauthorized software use, and non-compliance fines.
Running quarterly or annual software audits helps businesses:
By reviewing software usage regularly, businesses can eliminate waste and improve IT efficiency.
Many employees have access to software they no longer need. IT teams should monitor usage and revoke licenses from inactive users. This frees up available licenses for employees who actually need them, reducing unnecessary purchases.
A simple policy can be to deactivate licenses for users who haven’t used an application in the last six months. This prevents software from sitting unused while still being paid for.
One common mistake is forgetting to renew software licenses on time. When an important application suddenly stops working, it can disrupt business operations.
To prevent this, IT teams should set automatic reminders 30 to 60 days before expiration. This allows time to review the renewal, approve payments, or cancel unnecessary licenses.
Employees often download and install software without IT approval, which can lead to security risks and compliance violations. This is known as shadow IT and can cause serious problems for businesses.
To prevent this:
Many businesses still rely on spreadsheets or manual tracking to manage their IT assets. This outdated approach often leads to errors, lost equipment, unnecessary purchases, and security risks. Automating IT asset tracking helps businesses keep accurate records, improve efficiency, and reduce costs.
Without automation, tracking IT assets manually makes it easy for devices to go missing. Employees may move laptops, printers, or mobile devices between departments without updating records. Over time, businesses lose track of who has what, leading to misplaced or unaccounted assets.
When assets are lost, companies may spend thousands of dollars replacing equipment that already exists but cannot be located.
Manual tracking relies on employees updating spreadsheets, which is time-consuming and prone to mistakes. Data entry errors, forgotten updates, and missing details create unreliable records.
Without automation, IT teams must conduct lengthy physical audits to verify inventory, taking valuable time away from other essential tasks.
When asset records are outdated or inaccurate, businesses may purchase new equipment unnecessarily. If an employee needs a new laptop, but there’s an unused one available, outdated records may not show it. This leads to duplicate purchases and higher IT costs.
Untracked devices pose security threats, especially if they store sensitive company data. Lost or stolen assets that are not properly recorded increase the risk of data breaches.
Additionally, businesses in regulated industries must maintain an accurate asset inventory for compliance with standards like ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR. Without automation, proving compliance becomes difficult and may result in penalties.
An IT Asset Management (ITAM) system automates asset tracking by maintaining real-time records of all hardware and software assets. These systems can:
Automating IT asset tracking ensures that businesses always know where their assets are and how they are being used.
Manual tracking methods are unreliable, but businesses can automate asset tracking using barcodes, RFID tags, or GPS. These technologies help IT teams:
By tagging each IT asset, businesses can quickly locate devices, update records automatically, and reduce the chances of lost or stolen equipment.
For better efficiency, businesses should connect IT asset tracking tools with other IT systems like:
Integration ensures seamless data sharing, making IT asset tracking part of a larger, more efficient IT management strategy.
Automated systems can send notifications when assets require updates, repairs, or replacements. This prevents downtime and ensures hardware is always in working condition.
For example:
IT assets hold sensitive company data, making them a prime target for cyber threats. Many businesses fail to implement proper security and access controls, leaving their IT infrastructure vulnerable to data breaches, insider threats, and compliance violations.
Without strict access control policies, employees, third parties, or even former staff may still have access to IT systems and sensitive data. This can lead to:
Unrestricted access increases the chances of security breaches, making it difficult to track who is responsible when an incident occurs.
Many businesses fail to encrypt sensitive data on their IT assets. Laptops, external drives, and mobile devices often contain confidential company data but lack encryption, making them easy targets for hackers.
Devices without endpoint security solutions are also vulnerable to cyber threats. If antivirus, firewall, and threat detection systems are not enforced across all IT assets, businesses risk exposing their networks to cyberattacks.
Employees often reuse passwords across multiple accounts or share login credentials with colleagues. This makes it easier for hackers to gain access to critical IT systems using stolen or guessed passwords.
Without proper security policies, businesses also fail to:
Regulations such as ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR require businesses to secure their IT assets and control access to sensitive data. Without a strong security framework, organizations risk fines, legal penalties, and reputational damage.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) ensures that employees only have access to the systems and data they need for their jobs. IT teams should:
By using RBAC, businesses reduce the risk of unauthorized access and insider threats.
To strengthen security, businesses should require employees to use multi-factor authentication (MFA) when accessing critical systems. This adds an extra layer of protection, making it harder for hackers to breach accounts even if passwords are compromised.
Other best practices include:
Businesses should encrypt sensitive data stored on:
Encryption ensures that even if a device is lost or stolen, data remains protected from unauthorized access.
Additionally, IT teams should install endpoint security software to:
Many IT Asset Management (ITAM) systems come with built-in security features that help enforce policies. Businesses should integrate ITAM with:
Security policies should be reviewed regularly to ensure they align with industry best practices and regulatory requirements. Businesses should:
One of the biggest mistakes when using an IT Asset Management System is failing to establish a clear IT asset lifecycle strategy. Many businesses track assets when they are purchased but lack a structured plan for managing them throughout their entire lifecycle.
Without a well-defined asset lifecycle strategy, businesses overspend on IT equipment. Assets may be replaced too soon, even when they are still functional, or too late, leading to emergency purchases and downtime.
When assets are not tracked for performance and maintenance, businesses react to failures instead of preventing them. Unplanned downtime can disrupt operations, while last-minute repairs add unexpected costs.
Outdated hardware and software pose security threats if they are not replaced or decommissioned at the right time. End-of-life (EOL) assets that no longer receive updates can become entry points for cyberattacks.
Additionally, regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 require proper asset disposal to prevent data breaches. Businesses without a structured disposal process risk compliance violations and financial penalties.
IT teams often struggle to track:
Without a structured lifecycle strategy, businesses lose control over their IT infrastructure, leading to inefficiencies and unnecessary costs.
A well-structured IT asset lifecycle should include:
Defining clear lifecycle stages allows businesses to maximize asset value and reduce security risks.
A modern IT Asset Management System helps track IT assets through every stage of their lifecycle. Businesses should:
With proper lifecycle tracking, IT teams can plan purchases better, avoid unnecessary spending, and prevent unexpected failures.
Regular hardware and software maintenance extends the lifespan of IT assets and reduces downtime. Businesses should:
A proactive maintenance plan prevents expensive emergency repairs and keeps IT operations running smoothly.
Businesses must securely retire IT assets to prevent security and compliance risks. A structured disposal process should include:
By following best practices for asset disposal, businesses protect sensitive data, stay compliant, and reduce environmental impact.
Analyzing asset performance and usage trends helps businesses plan IT budgets and optimize asset purchases. Companies should:
With data-driven asset planning, businesses can reduce IT costs and ensure smarter decision-making.
A common mistake when using an IT Asset Management System is failing to integrate it with other IT tools and platforms. When ITAM operates in isolation, businesses miss out on automation, data accuracy, and operational efficiency.
When IT asset data is scattered across different systems, IT teams lack a single source of truth. Asset records become outdated, incomplete, or inconsistent, making it difficult to track hardware, software, and licensing details.
Disconnected systems lead to:
Without integration, ITAM fails to provide real-time insights, leading to poor asset planning and inefficiencies.
A stand-alone ITAM system forces IT teams to perform manual updates, increasing workload and reducing productivity. For example:
Without automation, IT teams spend more time on administrative tasks instead of focusing on strategic IT initiatives.
Neglecting integration makes it difficult to enforce security policies and meet compliance standards. If ITAM is not connected to security tools:
Without integration, businesses struggle to enforce IT policies, increasing the risk of security incidents and non-compliance penalties.
When ITAM is disconnected from IT Service Management (ITSM) tools, IT teams lack visibility into asset-related issues.
An integrated system ensures faster troubleshooting, better asset utilization, and improved IT support.
Connecting IT Asset Management with ITSM platforms like ServiceNow, Jira Service Management, or Freshservice allows IT teams to:
Integration ensures faster ticket resolution, better visibility into asset health, and improved user experience.
By integrating ITAM with SAM platforms, businesses can:
This integration ensures that hardware and software assets are managed together, improving efficiency and cost control.
IT assets should be integrated with security platforms like Microsoft Intune, CrowdStrike, or SentinelOne to:
A security-integrated ITAM system reduces risks, improves compliance, and ensures all assets are protected.
IT assets impact financial planning, budgeting, and procurement. Businesses should connect ITAM with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tools like SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite to:
This integration eliminates manual financial data entry and helps businesses plan IT budgets more effectively.
Instead of managing separate integrations, businesses can adopt an IT management platform that combines ITAM, ITSM, security, and financial reporting. This creates a unified system where all IT data is connected and accessible in one place.
Platforms like ServiceNow, Ivanti, and ManageEngine provide end-to-end IT management, ensuring ITAM is seamlessly connected to all critical business functions.
T assets constantly change—new devices are added, old ones are retired, and software licenses are updated. Without audits, businesses lose track of their assets, increase security risks, and struggle with compliance.
IT asset databases become outdated over time. Employees may receive new laptops, servers may be decommissioned, and software licenses may expire—all without being properly updated in the system.
Without audits, businesses struggle to maintain an accurate asset inventory, leading to:
Unmonitored IT assets pose serious security threats. Outdated devices, unpatched software, and unauthorized installations create vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
Skipping audits allows:
Regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 require businesses to maintain an up-to-date IT asset inventory. If an audit finds missing records or mismanaged assets, companies risk fines and legal consequences.
Non-compliance can result in:
Without regular audits, businesses often fail to retire or repurpose underutilized assets. This leads to:
Skipping audits directly impacts the bottom line, leading to unnecessary IT expenditures.
Businesses should set a fixed schedule for IT asset audits—quarterly, biannually, or annually, depending on company size and industry requirements.
Regular audits help:
A modern IT Asset Management System (ITAM) simplifies audits by automating asset tracking and generating real-time reports. ITAM tools:
Automation removes human error, speeds up audits, and keeps records up to date.
Audits should not rely solely on digital records. IT teams must physically verify:
A combination of digital tracking and physical validation ensures accurate and complete asset records.
To ensure consistency, businesses should create standardized audit procedures, including:
A clear audit framework ensures accountability and makes audits a regular business practice.
Advanced ITAM systems leverage AI-driven analytics to predict risks and optimize audits. Businesses can use:
AI-enhanced audits reduce manual effort and improve decision-making.
An IT Asset Management System is a powerful tool for managing IT assets efficiently, but common mistakes can reduce its effectiveness. Failing to track assets, neglecting security, skipping audits, and not integrating ITAM with other systems can lead to higher costs, security risks, and compliance failures.
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