The role of an IT asset manager, and why it matters

The term asset manager seems to appear quite frequently in today’s business landscape. As organizations make the shift towards digital transformation, and technology becomes a more essential part of every process, it’s becoming increasingly common for business leaders to invest in professionals that can help to track technology investments.

In simple terms, the best way to define IT asset management is as a process of understanding, evaluating, provisioning, and managing software, tech, and hardware within a business. This means that a professional tasked with this duty is someone responsible for handling the ITAM strategy of a company. So, what is it that makes the modern IT asset manager such a valuable member of staff? Why do companies need to invest more time and cash into these professionals?

Opening the door to new opportunities

Asset managers in the IT landscape will be aware of various requirements and circumstances that relate to their organization. These experts will know the best way of dealing with a company’s technology to ensure that the business leaders are making the most of the tools they use. Insider knowledge in this landscape makes it much easier to map out systems and plan the way various asset solutions are used. In many circumstances, just working with a professional who can deliver a strategy for managing IT assets correctly can make huge differences to the way a business operates.

Not only do these professionals make it easier to see where you can save money, but they can also assist with helping you to figure out where you need to increase investment too. At the same time, a good management professional can take the leading role in relevant projects and work with various teams and stakeholders across the organization. This includes leading various teams in things like IT support, purchasing and procurement strategies, maintenance, and change management. Sometimes, these experts work as the link between the business and external groups too.

Removing potential issues

In many ways, an asset manager’s job revolves around ensuring that you can use your technology as efficiently as possible, heavily weighted on avoiding wasting any time, money, or resources. However, they can also help with other important aspects too. For instance, many asset leaders know about licensing software and other tools so they know when you need to be aware of upcoming audits, and how you can protect yourself from issues. Though they aren’t necessarily legal professionals, they can help to ensure the right things are built into your contracts.

Qualified IT asset managers can carry out audits on the behalf of your company to ensure that you don’t have any issues to deal with. They can’t predict when a surprise audit might take place, but they can give you the resources you need in order to deal with these difficult processes, so you know that you’re adequately prepared. They can also help with running practice audits to familiarize everyone with what might happen ahead of time, reducing the risk of a nasty surprise down the road.