IT asset management software
Your systems are the bedrock of your operations, so keeping them running smoothly is critical. The PDQ software suite simplifies information technology asset management (ITAM), allowing you to implement, maintain, monitor, and track your information technology assets. With PDQ, you can optimize performance and maximize the value of investments — while maintaining compliance.
What is IT asset management?
IT asset management (ITAM) is a system of tracking hardware and software technology asset information to enhance the value to the organization. The average business uses 130 SaaS applications, and that number is steadily increasing. In addition, an environment can quickly become a tangled web of laptops, desktops, network devices, and other hardware. Juggling licenses, installations, and updates requires a powerful solution, like PDQ Deploy & Inventory or PDQ Connect.
Must-have IT asset management features
A high-quality ITAM tool, like PDQ Deploy & Inventory or PDQ Connect, has robust features that simplify inventorying, updating, and tracking hardware and software assets.
Visibility
IT asset management demands a high degree of visibility for effective decision-making and lifecycle management.
Asset discovery
Scan computers to gather data on your device fleet.
Collections
Use prebuilt collections or organize machines into custom groups to monitor assets at a glance.
Up-to-the-minute records
Maintain a current, detailed inventory of your environment’s software and hardware assets.
Reporting
ITAM software should include reporting features so that you can show what’s in your environment, prove compliance, and provide your boss with all the cool reports they’ve always wanted.
Custom and prebuilt reports
Prepare documentation on devices, software, deployments, and more.
Automated reporting
In PDQ Inventory, automatically run reports on a regular cadence to monitor assets over time.
Flexibility
Advanced asset management features give you the flexibility to fine-tune processes for your unique environment.
PowerShell scripting
Bring in data with custom PowerShell scripts.
App uninstallation
Remove unwanted apps from machines to simplify software asset management.
Active Directory sync
In PDQ Inventory, automatically add new computers to your asset inventory by syncing with Active Directory. In PDQ Connect, scan devices for AD information and groups.
IT asset management for remote devices
Use our new agent-based solution, PDQ Connect, to keep your fleet up to date and secure via the cloud. View real-time data, deploy software using custom or prebuilt packages, and automate IT tasks — from one platform to any internet-connected Windows device.
PDQ vs. leading IT asset management competitors
PDQ Deploy & Inventory’s IT asset management solution | PDQ Connect’s IT asset management solution | Leading competitors | |
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Agentless local IT asset management |
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Agent-based remote IT asset management |
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Highly customizable features |
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Integrated patch & inventory management |
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PowerShell Scanner |
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Easy setup and use |
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Comprehensive knowledge base |
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Support from sysadmins |
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IT asset management FAQs
What are the benefits of IT asset management?
Skillful IT asset management offers many potential benefits to your organization. Control and visibility are the main selling points for ITAM, but these factors support several other advantages. Effective ITAM and the PDQ suite can enhance performance, budgeting, and business insight. With oversight of the full IT asset lifecycle, you can also proactively manage risks, costs, and efficiency. Thanks to its far-reaching effects, ITAM provides value for end users, IT leaders, and the organization as a whole.
Improve patch management
Provide real-time visibility
Enhance cybersecurity and reduce information security risks
Support compliance efforts
Promote informed decisions
Reduce costs
How do you incorporate IT asset management software?
Implementing an IT asset management process takes time and consideration. Ideally, you should account for your business needs, goals, and existing systems to find a seamless fit. The following steps can help you develop an IT asset management system that works for your company:
Designate an IT asset manager and asset management team
Determine critical physical assets and software assets
Create an asset inventory
Follow a lifecycle-based approach that includes planning, procurement, deployment, maintenance, and retirement
Track each software license to confirm software compliance
Make the process proactive and ongoing
While incorporating a high-quality IT asset management program takes some time up front, it can ultimately save you effort, money, and long hours toiling over spreadsheets.
What are IT asset management best practices?
Applying IT asset management best practices can help you optimize your ITAM program. Keys to effective IT asset management include these steps:
Do routine asset discovery and asset tracking
Implement asset inventory management of each existing asset, including tangible assets and intangible assets
Collect financial data
Document contractual data
Maintain license compliance information
IT asset management directly relates to IT service management (ITSM), IT operations management (ITOM), IT business management (ITBM), and software asset management (SAM). To get the most out of your ITAM program, make sure it’s part of a larger information technology management landscape.
How do you choose the right IT asset management software?
Choosing the right IT asset management tool requires understanding your goals and envisioning how software aligns with them. Knowing your assets and processes is critical, potentially making it easier to find a solution that can grow with your organization. Here’s what to do before selecting an ITAM tool:
Compile an asset inventory
Look for automated features
Consider features that enable collaboration
Set your budget
Assess the solution’s customer service and support
Read customer success stories and reviews
How do you manage remote IT assets?
The easiest way to manage remote IT assets is with an agent-based solution, like PDQ Connect. Once the agent is installed on the target Windows device, Connect gives you access to robust data and functionality. You have the visibility and control over your fleet necessary for an effective ITAM program.
Alternatively, you can use an agentless solution, such as PDQ Deploy & Inventory. While an agentless solution makes it easy to manage local machines, remote devices must connect to your VPN for you to oversee them. If you’re one of the lucky few sysadmins with highly compliant users, this might be a breeze. But we expect some users to get a little feisty.