User dissatisfaction with IT asset management stems largely from the difficulties associated with identifying and tracking assets that aren’t subject to central procurement or readily available for physical inventory. Most cloud users know these challenges exist for cloud assets, as well.

Many cloud services reduce the ability of central asset management to see all the assets that support cloud connection and use. This obscurity leads to a key principle of cloud asset management: Traditional asset tracking must be magnified and enhanced for cloud use.

The general goals of IT asset management (ITAM) systems include the following:

Software vendors have automated ways to monitor usage of their products, and the larger the company, the more they pay attention to “red flags” that it may be time to run an audit, says IDC’s Amy Mizoras Konary. Here are five customer events that Konary says can tip a vendor to do a software audit:

1. Your company is involved in a merger or acquisition. Things can get messy amid such consolidations. Companies might consider calling in software vendor compliance teams for help in sorting out what software is licensed and needed, and what new buying discounts they might get.

2. You’re doing virtualization and private cloud deployment. Get a clear understanding of virtualization licensing terms before you start spinning up virtual instances. Unaware administrators can scale up your licensing obligations in a hurry if you’re not careful.

3. Your company is growing but not buying more software. “In some situations the sales rep may say, ‘They’ve grown a lot’ or ‘They did this particular deal, so we should audit them because they should be spending more money with us,'” Konary says.

4. Your top licensing expert leaves the company. Just when you’re ill-prepared to document and defend your compliance position, don’t be surprised if that’s when the audit letter arrives.

5. You’re not managing your licensing position. If you betray uncertainty in dealing with software vendors or, worse, defiant-but-vague confidence that you “must be overspending,” don’t be surprised if those vendors want to verify your compliance position.

Cloud computing is revolutionizing the way small businesses operate, providing a cost-effective and efficient way to access technology resources. It offers the ability to store data, run applications, and streamline processes in a secure environment all from one central location. Here are four benefits of cloud computing for small businesses:

First and foremost, cloud computing allows small business owners to reduce their IT costs. By using cloud services they can outsource their expensive hardware needs while drastically cutting back on software licensing fees. The cost savings associated with this type of service makes it an attractive option for companies looking to cut costs without sacrificing performance or reliability.

Another benefit of cloud computing is that it provides greater scalability than traditional solutions. Small business owners can easily add more storage or processing power as needed without having to purchase additional hardware or software licenses.

Hardware Asset Management (HAM) can often be pushed to the side as people focus on the day-to-day needs of a business, but it’s a vital function that can save every company time and money when done correctly.

We’ve put together a list of all the reasons regular hardware asset management audits will benefit your business.

ITAM technologies can be an invaluable asset for businesses, offering immense financial savings and a more efficient approach to managing technology assets. When it comes to choosing an IT Asset Management (ITAM) tool, there are a few factors to consider. First, what type of data will the tool be used for? If the tool is used for asset management, then you’ll want to choose a tool that has robust functionality and is easy to use.

Another important factor to consider is the budget. Some tools are more expensive than others, but if you’re on a budget, don’t be afraid to look for cheaper options. Finally, make sure that the tool meets your specific needs. If you’re looking for an IT asset management service solution, make sure that the tool has features that will help you manage your assets more efficiently.

Navigating the plethora of it inventory management or ITAM solutions available can be a daunting task, so here are ten tips to help you decide which ITAM Tool is best suited for your enterprise:

There are a plethora of SAM tools on the market. Some use third party inventory sources, such as SCCM, whilst others rely on the fidelity of their own data collection technology to deliver the SAM experience. In this article, I will provide an insight into the 5 best “Must Haves” for an inventory/discovery tool.

Every organisation assessing Software Asset Management software will have individual needs and drivers. In some cases, SAM software underpinned by agentless discovery is a requirement. However, in almost all cases, the benefits of an agent-based SAM solution far outweigh the short-term convenience of agentless SAM software.

The difference between a discovery tool and an inventory tool is that a discovery tool is usually a network scanner that will pick up all network devices at moment of scan, known or unknown, such as routers, switches and printers. It also provides patchy overview of software installations. An inventory tool is usually agent based and will provide granular detail of software installed and used on any given device.

So, here are my top 5 functions to look for in an inventory/discovery tool:

On Aug. 1, under the guise of easing management, Microsoft announced several significant licensing changes for its on-prem and cloud-based services. Starting with launch of its Azure Dedicated Host services and Azure Hybrid Benefits program, Microsoft changed its definition of outsourcing on-prem software licenses being hosted on some of its biggest rivals (Amazon Web Services, Alibaba, etc.).

After Oct. 1, the often-touted cost benefits of using a bring-your-own-licensing (BYOL) model for Microsoft software in the public cloud will fall, victims of monetization, and it’s striking fear in the hearts and budgets of enterprise IT. Let’s be honest, this isn’t an unexpected move by Microsoft — nor would it be for any of the major hosted providers. Licensing has become a highly complex dance as the cloud era matures, creating a challenge for enterprise data centers.

It’s all too easy to forget how quickly certain technologies have infiltrated the enterprise. Not too long ago, mass adoption of cloud computing was seen as a pie-in-the-sky prediction. Today 85% of mid-to-large-sized businesses use multiple clouds, and enterprise networks are now required to support an average of 4.6 mobile devices per user, as smartphone and tablets use has risen.

This speedy uptake has mostly been positive, increasing productivity and efficiency, while giving staff more flexibility. However, as IT assets become more multi-layered, the task of maintaining visibility over the entire IT estate has also become more challenging.

It’s easy to forget how quickly certain technologies have penetrated the enterprise. Once, cloud computing was regarded as a blue-sky technology. Today 85 per cent of mid-to-large-sized businesses use multiple clouds. And now that smartphones and tablets are in common use, enterprises networks are required to support an average of 4.6 mobile devices per user (up from 4.1 devices per user in 2015).

The rapid adoption of such technologies has, overall, been a positive development, driving productivity and efficiencies, and allowing employees to work more flexibly than ever. But as IT estates have become increasingly complex, the task of maintaining visibility over all IT assets has also become increasingly challenging.