Keeping control of your IT inventory is paramount if you want to make the most of it. When you have control of everything IT-related, you and your team can potentially become more efficient. This can only be a good thing. However, taking control can seem hard. The good news is that with the use of some IT inventory software, taking control is possible. When you have this, you can effectively audit everything. Let’s take a look at what an inventory audit is and why it’s important.
What Exactly Is an IT Inventory Audit?
An IT inventory audit shows an overview of your business’s IT assets. This includes all of your software, hardware, and everything else. In addition to this, the audit can show how many IT assets you have, where they are, and each asset’s status and condition.
Some of the most common types of IT inventory include:
- Software such as operating systems, licences and applications
- Hardware such as computers, printers, laptops,
- IT components such as HDMI cables, USB cables, and chargers
- And so on.
Keeping a track of all of the above can be difficult. However, if you use IT inventory software it can make tracking it all easier. When you track all of your IT assets using inventory software audits can be easier to carry out. You could clearly see which assets you have and who is using them. You could see how much each asset is worth and whether it’s in good condition. This can potentially make life and the auditing process so much easier.
Why Audits Are Important
Audits help you to keep all of your records accurate. They can also make sure that your inventory is up to date. In addition to this, when you have an up-to-date audit you can see whether you’re complying with everything. For example, this could include regulatory requirements, licensing agreements, and any related industry standards.
With the use of some IT inventory software that tracks your IT assets, you can also have improved efficiency. You can potentially see where issues lay and whether your team has the tools they need to complete their tasks.
How To Carry Out An Effective Audit
Carrying out an effective audit may seem quite complicated. However, if you separate the process into different sections you can make things easier. Here’s how you can go about it:
Start planning
Plan how you’re going to go about your audit. Work out what the objectives are. Be aware that you may need to audit hardware differently to software. You may also need to include timelines in your audit process so make sure there’s space for this.
Look for reliable IT inventory software
A really good way of ensuring that your audit goes to plan is to use IT inventory software. Software such as this can save you a lot of time. Ideally, the software that you choose will be able to scan barcodes. When you use software that has this ability it helps to reduce manual errors. Additionally, this software makes it easier to use asset tracking tools that have proven to be extremely useful.
Assign audits to team members
If you have a lot of computer hardware and software the audit process may seem unduly complicated. It can also seem very time consuming. The good news is that you could train some of your team members to undertake some of the auditing process. In other words, they could audit computer hardware and software in their respective offices. This can make your job so much easier. It can also ensure that the audits are carried out on time.
Deal with discrepancies
When you are dealing with a lot of assets it’s likely that discrepancies will arise. However, you can make dealing with them quick and easy. IT inventory software can help with this by providing you with data that shows you how many ghost assets you have. It could also show you if one department has more computers than another, and so on.
Did you know that when you use inventory software all of your records will automatically update? You could have all of the information that you need to hand in a short space of time. You can have a better idea about whether you are meeting regulatory requirements and standards
Undertaking an IT audit isn’t always easy. However, planning the process and ensuring you have help can make a big difference. Using inventory software can also make the process a much smoother one. After a while, you could find that undertaking an audit is not as laborious as it once was.
If you would like to speak to an expert about your IT inventory software and undertaking an IT audit contract us now at team@itemit.com.
The Ideal IT Inventory Software
Choose a better way to track your assets
Start your free 14-day trial now
Instant access. No credit card details required.
or, download the itemit app to get started
Related articles
The Ultimate Guide to Asset Management Compliance Standards
Learn asset management compliance standards, regulations, and best practices to keep your business compliant and safeguard assets effectively. Read more here.
Asset Disposition Explained: From Valuation to Final Disposal
Learn the essentials of asset disposition, from accurate valuation methods to final disposal strategies. Streamline your asset management process.
Hardware Procurement Strategies for Effective Asset Management
One of the main tasks for every developing business is effective asset management. Without any system, equipment or IT resources, valuable assets become lost or disorganised. Only an efficient asset-tracking system can save companies from such nagging hassles.