Managed Services / IT Asset Management

Value-based IT Asset Management

Veriam's IT Asset Management service executes value-based asset management to devise and implement and ITAM program that will garner and maintain executive support.  Very often, questions among executives regarding whether their ITAM program is providing value begin to be raised only a short time after implementation, especially when additional funds are requested for program maintenance and enhancement.

Executive support often begins to erode when complaints begin to circulate about the accuracy of the data in the system.  Without focusing the ITAM program on specific value targets, organizations often try to track everything at one time, only to find that they cannot afford the resources necessary to keep all of the data up-to-date (autodiscovery is NOT a complete answer).  As the accuracy complaints increase, and in the absence of direct ROI evidence, executives naturally begin to think that the system was not a productive investment.

The value-based approach avoids loss of support by identifying where ROI can be produced and focusing the program specifically on those value targets.  The goals of the program are communicated widely at all levels of the organization and regular reporting shows the ROI against the value goals.

Our ITAM service is extremely comprehensive and features the following key components:

Value Analysis

Value-based ITAM begins with the value analysis.  Veriam has developed a comprehensive methodology for analyzing potential value targets that includes input and assessments from across the organization.  Once the various factors have been collected, a computerized model allows us to work with our clients to run dozens of different assessments with different input data and risk factors.

Once Veriam and the client agree on the proper value analysis, the program goals are defined and an analysis is performed to distill the distinct requirements and issues related to pursuing the selected value targets.

ITAM Planning

Once the value targets are set, the ITAM system can be planned.  Key planning task include identifying the asset scope and the data elements that need to be tracked to achieve the ROI goals.  By prioritizing the scope and data elements, the ITAM program is right-sized and both the implementation risk and operational risk is greatly reduced.

Process Review

The client's procurement and IT processes are carefully reviewed and documented to identify those discrete tasks that may affect the asset status, or may affect a data element that is being tracked.  Each process is enhanced to include the necessary data catchpoints and audit points to keep the data accurate and complete.

Software License Management

Veriam's Software License Management managed service is normally a component of a full ITAM program, as software license management is frequently the primary value target.  Please see the Software License Management description for more details on this innovative service, as well as our unique Software License Compliance Guarantee. 

MarCom

Professional marketing and communications is a fundamental component of Veriam's ITAM program and it is one of the keys to a successful implementation.  Through targeted MarCom at all levels of the organization, specific groups are educated on the importance and goals of the program, and they are kept abreast of progress as the program is implemented.  After run-state is achieved, MarCom is used to maintain high levels of process adherence and to maximize software reuse throughout the organization.

Advance Shipping Notice (ASN) Processing - Automatic Updating of Asset Procurement Data

A leading cause of out-of-date asset data is that time is seldom taken to accurately enter asset data into the ITAM system.  Veriam mitigates this risk by working with each hardware vendor to obtain regular ASNs for each license purchase and return.  The ASNs are automatically captured by Veriam's SLM platform, and Veriam personnel manually review the results of each ASN to ensure that it is both completely and accurately processed.  Ideally, the vendor will also affix the proper asset tag prior to shipment and annotate the ASN record with the asset tag number.  This completely streamlines the asset registration process, saving time and eliminating the error prone manual entry process.

Asset Inventory

Initializing an asset database and or CMDB requires an asset inventory.  Depending upon the environment, this may involve a physical inventory, but there are frequently other options. Veriam's Asset Inventory service leverages a methodologies and a robust technology platform to perform asset inventories as efficiently and economical as possible.  Used smartly, self-service inventories and discovery technologies can often minimize the number of asset requiring physical inventory, without a loss in accuracy.

Autodiscovery

Autodiscovery is a key component of any ITAM solution.  Veriam can leverage your current autodiscovery investment, or we can utilize our own technology to monitor your assets. Autodiscovery is used within our ITAM platform to continually monitor the existence and status of the assets on the network.  Using our advanced workflow technology, status changes can automatically trigger events such as simple alerts, or elaborate work processes that require certain actions to be taken to prevent further automated escalation.

Data Catchpoints and Audit, Audit, and MORE Audit

An ITAM solution is only as accurate as the data that goes in it.  One of the most problematic aspects of a system is facilitating the entry and maintenance of the data as the organization executes it daily purchasing and IT activities such as IMACs, disposals, and trouble tickets. Veriam keeps data accurate and current by tailoring data catchpoint screens and injecting those screens in each process that may affect the state or configuration of an asset.  Further, in accordance with our belief that only processes that are actively monitored are executed consistently, Veriam builds strong audit reporting around each data catchpoint.  The audit reporting is monitored by our staff, and automatically through our advanced workflow technology, to ensure that each data catchpoint is being executed and that data being collected is being processed correctly by the system.

Asset and ROI Reporting

Regular reporting is paramount to maintaining support for the program and keeping clients abreast of the asset status.  Veriam's ITAM managed service produces a variety of dashboards and reports for individuals and target groups to monitor the program's success and to demonstrate where the ITAM program should be improved.  Live dashboards can be customized for each system user so that the high-level status of key indicators such as system status, asset distribution, asset status distribution, etc. can be watched in real-time.  Detailed reports include missing asset reports, current ROI versus projected ROI, asset breakdowns, and many, many more.

System Monitoring and Analysis

A cornerstone of Veriam's service is the level of monitoring and analysis performed by Veriam staff on behalf of our clients.  Each day, Veriam staff reviews the program status of each client and analyzes both the system activity and the overall state of the program against the target goals.  Anomalies and exceptions are reviewed and corrected, and actions are regularly taken to improve the system.  Also, regular review sessions are held with each client to discuss client functions such as catchpoint and process execution.  

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