Retriever – Which IT Management Software is Right For You?

Consider a scenario - An IT asset manager of a medium-sized company heads a team that manages the hardware and software assets, including desktops, laptops, servers, printers, and licenses. They constantly face challenges in keeping track of all these assets and ensuring they are used efficiently. When a new software update is released, they manually go through a list of all the devices and their configurations to identify which laptops need to be updated. Moreover, they do not have a complete picture of all software licenses and their expiry dates, leaving the organization vulnerable to non-compliance issues.

IT asset managers face similar challenges daily. No wonder effective IT asset management (ITAM) is crucial to the success of any organization. This is where IT asset management software comes in handy. It provides a centralized platform to track and monitor all IT assets, including their location, configuration, and usage. ITAM software can help streamline IT asset management processes, reduce costs, and improve productivity.

Many IT asset management tools with powerful features are available in the market. Selecting one that best suits an organization can be overwhelming. So, this article lists some of the top-rated ITAM software options and their top features. It can help business heads choose the right tool for their unique requirements.

Top 5 IT Asset Management Tools

Here are the top 5 IT asset management tools to help organizations streamline their processes and gain greater visibility into their IT assets.

ServiceNow offers a comprehensive IT asset management solution. It enables organizations to manage their hardware and software assets throughout their lifecycle, right from acquisition to disposal. As per Gartner Peer Insights, customers like ServiceNow for its wide range of functionalities and integrations with other IT tools and systems.

It has great automation and reporting capabilities, high security and compliance, and excellent customer support. The platform utilizes a single architecture solution that feeds crucial hardware and software data through digital workflows. It leverages machine learning to simplify and modernize IT asset management processes.

SolarWinds ITAM solutions give IT professionals a view of users’ self-service behaviors and a way to track the expenses related to assets. The platform can help manage IT services, applications, and infrastructure through on-premises, cloud, or hybrid models.

One of the unique features of this platform is its integration with service desk software that enables organizations to establish a unified and precise database of all assets and their current owners. Further, it allows the alignment of assets with support tickets with consistent and current technical support information.

Originally a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS), UpKeep is also popular for its Asset Management solution. The platform is accessible through both mobile and desktop devices. It allows easy information retrieval regarding asset models, depreciation schedules, warranties, and other relevant data.

This IT asset management software offers a business intelligence dashboard where IT professionals can track all asset downtime costs over a period. UpKeep’s customizable preventive maintenance setup and the ability to input data quickly are why people prefer this tool over its competitors.

Since its inception in 2011, Pulseway has come a long with to serve over 10,000 businesses in over 80 countries. The platform focuses on allowing users to perform crucial actions on their IT systems remotely. Its powerful automation engine integrates workflow technology with an intuitive user interface to set up smart triggers for IT issues.

Pulseway is highly rated for features like customer support, value for money, and ease of use. The company offers monthly, annual, and multi-year plans to choose from, along with a free trial option, the basic plan being more affordable for small businesses than many competitors.

ManageEngine Asset Explorer is worth trying for organizations emphasizing solid platform capabilities yet seeking user-friendly solutions. It is offered in three editions - Free, Trial, and Professional. Its flexibility in asset categorization is a much-appreciated feature. Auto-detection of assets through this platform makes license management easier.

This IT asset management tool conducts thorough scans and audits of all workstations in an organization, regardless of whether they are connected via LAN, WAN, or VPN. Asset ownership is visible as comprehensive ownership details and hardware, and software inventory information are provided.

How to Select the Right IT Asset Management software?

Selecting the appropriate IT asset management software for an organization is crucial for efficient IT infrastructure management. The above ITAM software options are widely regarded as some of the top tools in the market. However, the selection process is not a one-size-fits-all approach, as it depends on an organization’s size, unique requirements, and budget. Hence, carefully considering the following factors is imperative in making an informed decision:

Popular Features
Pricing
Ease of use
Integration
Customer support

ServiceNow is generally considered more expensive than other tools. It is suitable for large enterprises looking for an entire suite of IT management tools. Certain user reviews indicate that the platform’s licensing model can be confusing.

SolarWinds is known for its user-friendly interface and easy setup process. This platform is worth trying for organizations seeking network performance and application monitoring apart from ITAM. Customization and integration are metrics where the platform can improve.

Pulseway is suitable for startups and mid-sized businesses owing to its affordability. Organizations looking to track maintenance schedules and gain on-the-go asset management with a mobile app can prefer UpKeep. However, for organizations prioritizing robust reporting capabilities, there may be better choices than Pulseway and Upkeep.

Lastly, ManageEngine is appropriate for companies focusing more on automation and customizable workflows. The platform offers affordable paid plans; however, its free trial version is extremely limited.

While the opinion provided above is based on verified reviews, it is important to note that each organization’s IT asset management needs and preferences may differ. As such, it is recommended that organizations conduct a trial or demo of each platform to determine which IT asset management tool is the best fit for their specific requirements.