This article has been contributed by Barb Rembiesa from IAITAM.
When evaluating core business practices, IT Asset Management has not made the list for most enterprises. In the past, ITAM has been viewed as a practice that lies solely within the realm of IT and not considered to add measurable value to the organization.
IT was often viewed as foreign to executive management with little buy-in and business practices within IT were often immature compared to other business practices with little executive buy-in and not necessarily viewed as adhering to the overall goals of the organization.
When evaluating the ITAM program on its merits, you can see it yields quantifiable benefits such as budgetary savings, risk reduction and enterprise-wide efficiencies. By definition, ITAM is the process of managing the business side of IT, therefore as a business practice, the targets and measurements must adhere to standard business methodologies and adhere to the organization’s goals and contribute to the bottom line.
As with other core business practices, the implementation of an ITAM program across the enterprise can be a daunting task, but with a solid plan, a bit of education, an understanding that IT Asset Management is a program not just a project the organization can succeed. One reoccurring drawback in many ITAM initiatives is the lack of executive buy-in. IT Asset Mangers become not only the program champions, but are tasked with the sales and marketing aspects of the program. Regularly scheduled bulletins, program progress and successes are an integral part of gaining the buy-in that it frequently lacks.
To start on this journey of brining value to the enterprise, an organization must first determine a direction and pathways to success. To build an ITAM Program, it will begin with three solid foundation processes:
This article has been contributed by Barb Rembiesa from IAITAM.