Top 9 asset management tools you need to know about

Table of Contents

• Choosing the right asset management tools
• Top 9 asset management tools
  • 1. Virima IT asset management tools
  • 2. Asset Panda
  • 3. Lansweeper
  • 4. ManageEngine
  • 5. IT Glue
  • 6. Reftab
  • 7. Jira
  • 8. Ivanti
  • 9. SysAid
• Choose your asset management tools wisely!

Effective IT asset management (ITAM) is crucial for maximizing the value of these assets, minimizing costs, and ensuring smooth operations. However, managing a complex asset portfolio can be challenging. This is where asset management tools come in.

Asset management tools offer a comprehensive solution for tracking, monitoring, and optimizing your assets throughout their lifecycle. These tools can automate many manual tasks associated with asset management, such as data entry, inventory updates, and reporting. Additionally, they provide valuable insights that can help you make informed decisions about asset acquisition, deployment, and retirement.

Choosing the right asset management tools

With a variety of asset management tools available, selecting the right one for your business needs is essential. Here are some factors to consider when making your choice:

• Business size and complexity: The size and complexity of your organization will determine the features and functionality you need in your asset management tool.
• Type of assets: Consider the types of IT assets you manage, such as hardware, software, furniture, or vehicles.
• Budget: Asset management tools are available in a range of price points to suit different budget constraints.
• Ease of use: Ensure the software is user-friendly and intuitive for your employees to navigate.
• Integration: Consider how the tool integrates with your existing IT infrastructure.

Top 9 asset management tools

Here’s a closer look at nine popular asset management tools to help you find the best IT asset management solutions for your needs:

1. Virima IT asset management tools

Virima IT Asset Management (ITAM) stands out as a leader in the asset management tool landscape. It goes beyond basic asset tracking by offering unparalleled visibility into asset dependencies. Through its innovative features like dynamic visual service maps and ViVID (Virima Visual Impact Display) service maps, Virima ITAM provides a clear understanding of how your assets interact with each other. 

This empowers you to make informed decisions about asset acquisition, deployment, and optimization. Additionally, Virima ITAM offers a robust suite of features for IT asset management (ITAM), including automated IT discovery tool, license compliance management, and detailed reporting.

“It’s one thing to know what you’ve got but it’s just as important to know why you have it in the first place. ViVID does exactly that by showing you asset relationships and dependencies.” – Mike Bombard, Chief Operating Officer at Virima.

Here’s a breakdown of its features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs:

Features

• Automated discovery and inventory: Virima ITAM automatically discovers hardware and software assets across your network, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring a complete inventory.
• Unparalleled asset dependency visibility: Virima shines with its ViVID (Virima Visual Impact Display) service map feature. This offers dynamic visual service maps that map relationships between your assets. This allows you to see how assets interact, identify dependencies, and make informed decisions about acquisition, deployment, and optimization.
• License compliance management: Track software licenses, monitor usage, and receive alerts for potential compliance issues. This helps avoid costly fines and ensures you’re using licenses optimally.
• Software usage monitoring and optimization: Gain insights into software usage patterns to identify underutilized programs. This allows you to optimize license deployments and get the most value out of your software investments.
• Near real-time IT cost management: Track and manage IT expenditures with Virima ITAM’s cost tracking features. Identify areas for cost savings and make informed budgeting decisions for future IT acquisitions.
• Detailed reporting and audit preparation: Generate comprehensive reports on asset usage and compliance. This simplifies the audit process and ensures you have the necessary documentation readily available.
• Streamlined change management: Virima ITAM integrates with change management processes, facilitating smooth and efficient asset updates and modifications.
• Security management: Identify vulnerabilities and manage security risks associated with your IT assets.
• Compliance management: Simplify compliance with industry standards and regulations related to IT asset management.

Pros

• Unparalleled visibility: ViVID provides exceptional insight into asset dependencies, a feature not commonly found in other ITAM tools.
• Comprehensive functionality: Virima ITAM offers a robust suite of features that cater to all aspects of IT asset management.
• Automation: Automates many manual tasks, saving time and effort for IT staff.
• Improved decision-making: Data-driven insights from Virima ITAM empower informed decisions about IT investments, resource allocation, and asset optimization.
• Cost savings: Reduce IT costs through license optimization, asset lifecycle management, and improved resource allocation.
• Enhanced security: Identify vulnerabilities and improve your overall security posture with Virima ITAM’s security management features.
• Simplified compliance: Streamline compliance with regulations and simplify audit preparation.
• User-friendly interface: Virima ITAM offers a user-friendly interface that is easy to learn and navigate.
• Integrations: Integrates seamlessly with existing IT infrastructure for a unified and efficient management experience.

Cons

• Pricing: Virima IT asset management solutions may be more expensive than some basic asset management tools. However, the comprehensive features and potential cost savings through optimization can offset the initial investment.
• Scalability: While Virima ITAM scales to accommodate growth, it might not be the most suitable solution for very small organizations with limited IT assets.

Overall

Virima ITAM is a powerful and comprehensive IT asset management solution ideal for businesses of all sizes, especially those with complex IT environments. The exceptional asset dependency visibility offered by ViVID is a major advantage. However, if budget is a major constraint or your organization has a very small number of assets, you might want to explore more basic and potentially less expensive ITAM solutions.

2. Asset Panda

Asset Panda offers a user-friendly platform for managing a variety of assets, from IT equipment to furniture. It provides features for IT asset tracking, barcode scanning, maintenance scheduling, and reporting. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your asset management needs.

Features

• Asset tracking: Track physical and digital assets with ease. Asset Panda offers barcode scanning capabilities for efficient asset identification and location tracking.
• Inventory management: Maintain a centralized inventory of all your assets with detailed information such as purchase date, warranty details, and maintenance history.
• Maintenance scheduling: Schedule preventive maintenance tasks and receive automated alerts for upcoming maintenance needs. This helps ensure your assets are well-maintained and function optimally.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on asset usage, cost analysis, and asset lifecycle data. Gain valuable insights to optimize your asset management strategies.
• Customizable fields: Tailor the platform to your specific needs by creating custom fields to track additional asset-specific information.
• Mobile app: Access your asset data and manage assets on the go with Asset Panda’s mobile app.
• Security features: Securely store asset data with user access controls and role-based permissions.

Pros

• User-friendly: Asset Panda offers a user-friendly interface that’s easy to learn and navigate, even for non-technical users.
• Scalability: The platform scales to accommodate the needs of growing businesses.
• Customization: Customizable fields and reporting options allow you to tailor Asset Panda to your specific needs.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app provides convenient access to asset data from anywhere.
• Cost-effective: Asset Panda offers tiered pricing plans to suit different budgets.

Cons

• Limited features: Compared to some comprehensive IT asset management tools, Asset Panda may lack advanced functionalities such as automated discovery or license compliance management.
• Focus on physical assets: While Asset Panda can track software assets, it may not be as robust as dedicated IT asset management solutions for managing software licenses and deployments.

Overall

Asset Panda is a user-friendly and cost-effective asset management tool ideal for businesses of all sizes, particularly those managing a mix of physical and digital assets. Furthermore, its scalability and customization options make it a good choice for growing businesses. However, if you require advanced IT asset management process features or prioritize managing software licenses, exploring dedicated IT asset management solutions might be more suitable.

3. Lansweeper

Lansweeper is a popular all-in-one IT asset management solution that offers asset discovery, asset and inventory tracking, software license tracking, and patch management capabilities. Here’s a closer look at its features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Features

• Automated asset discovery: Lansweeper automatically discovers and inventories all network devices, hardware, and software assets, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring complete visibility.
• IT asset management: Track hardware and software assets, including detailed information like purchase dates, warranties, and configurations.
• Software license tracking: Monitor software licenses, identify unused licenses, and receive alerts for potential IT regulatory compliance issues. This helps optimize software usage and avoid licensing costs.
• Patch management: Identify missing security patches and deploy updates for a more secure IT environment.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on asset usage, software licensing compliance, and IT infrastructure health. Gain valuable insights to optimize IT operations.
• Real-time monitoring: Monitor network performance and identify potential issues with real-time data.
• Remote desktop access: Access and manage remote devices directly from the Lansweeper console.
• Integrations: Integrates with other IT management tools for a unified experience.

Pros

• All-in-one solution: Lansweeper offers a comprehensive suite of features for IT asset management, software licensing, and patch management.
• Automated discovery: Saves time and effort by automatically discovering and inventorying assets.
• Improved compliance: Helps ensure compliance with software licensing regulations.
• Enhanced security: Patch management features help maintain a secure IT environment.
• Cost-effective: Offers a competitive pricing structure compared to some dedicated IT asset management solutions.
• Scalability: Lansweeper scales to accommodate businesses of all sizes.
• User-friendly: Provides a user-friendly interface for easy navigation and management.

Cons

• Learning curve: While user-friendly, some advanced features may have a slight learning curve.
• Customization: Customization options may be limited compared to some dedicated asset management tools.
• Reporting complexity: Generating complex reports might require some technical expertise.

Overall

Lansweeper is a powerful and versatile asset management tool that caters well to the needs of businesses with diverse IT environments. Furthermore, its all-in-one approach simplifies IT asset management, software licensing, and patch management. However, if extensive customization or highly complex reporting are crucial for your needs, exploring dedicated asset management solutions might be beneficial.

4. ManageEngine

ManageEngine offers a suite of IT asset management solutions, including AssetExplorer for IT asset management. AssetExplorer provides features for hardware and software discovery, license management, and reporting. Let’s explore AssetExplorer’s features, pros, and cons to see if it align with your needs.

Features

• Automated discovery and inventory: ManageEngine AssetExplorer automatically discovers and inventories hardware and software assets across your network. This eliminates manual data entry and ensures a complete asset list.
• IT asset management: Track detailed information about your IT assets, including hardware and software, with features like purchase dates, warranties, and configuration details.
• Software License Management: Monitor software licenses, identify unused licenses, and receive alerts for potential compliance issues. This helps you optimize software usage and avoid licensing costs.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on asset usage, software licensing compliance, and IT infrastructure health. Gain valuable insights to optimize IT operations management and resource allocation.
• Mobile app: Manage assets and access data on the go with the ManageEngine mobile app.
• Integration with other ManageEngine products: AssetExplorer integrates seamlessly with other ManageEngine products for a unified IT management experience.

Pros

• Comprehensive IT asset management: AssetExplorer offers a robust set of features specifically designed for IT asset management.
• Cost-effective: ManageEngine offers competitive pricing plans compared to some standalone IT asset management solutions.
• Automated discovery: Saves time and effort by automatically discovering and inventorying assets.
• Improved compliance: Helps ensure compliance with software licensing regulations.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app provides convenient access to asset data from anywhere.
• Integration benefits: Integrates seamlessly with other ManageEngine products, streamlining IT management processes.

Cons

• Limited features compared to suites: Compared to comprehensive IT service management (ITSM) suites, AssetExplorer might lack functionalities like patch management or service desk integration.
• Focus on ManageEngine ecosystem: While it offers integrations, integrating AssetExplorer with third-party tools might be less straightforward.

Overall

ManageEngine AssetExplorer is a solid IT asset management tool that caters well to businesses seeking a dedicated solution for managing their IT assets. Furthermore, its cost-effectiveness and seamless integration with other ManageEngine products make it a good option for businesses already invested in the ManageEngine ecosystem. 

However, if you require a broader range of functionalities like patch management or prefer a more open integration platform, exploring other asset management tools or comprehensive ITSM tool or suites might be beneficial.

5. IT Glue

While not a traditional asset management tool, IT Glue plays a crucial role in IT infrastructure management. It focuses on IT infrastructure documentation and configuration management, which complements IT asset management solutions. Here’s a breakdown of IT Glue’s features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Features

• Centralized documentation: Create and store comprehensive documentation of your IT environment, including hardware, software, network configurations, and procedures.
• Visual network topology mapping: Visually represent your network infrastructure using diagrams and schematics. This improves understanding of network connections and dependencies.
• Secure password management: Store passwords and other sensitive information securely within IT Glue, with role-based access control for enhanced security.
• Version control: Track changes made to documentation, ensuring you always have access to the most recent version.
• Automated workflows: Automate repetitive tasks associated with documentation updates and configuration management.
• Search functionality: Quickly find relevant information within your IT documentation with powerful search capabilities.
• Integration with PSA tools: Integrates with professional service automation (PSA) tools for a streamlined workflow.

Pros

• Improved documentation management: Centralizes and organizes IT documentation, making it easily accessible to authorized personnel.
• Enhanced visibility: Visual network topology mapping provides a clear understanding of network infrastructure and dependencies.
• Increased security: Secure password management and access control improve overall IT security posture.
• Reduced errors: Version control minimizes errors and ensures teams work with the latest information.
• Improved efficiency: Automates workflows and simplifies documentation updates, saving time and effort.
• Integration benefits: Integrates seamlessly with PSA tools, streamlining IT service delivery.

Cons

• Limited asset management: IT Glue focuses primarily on documentation and configuration management, not traditional asset tracking features like lifecycle management or cost tracking.
• Learning curve: Understanding the full potential of IT Glue might require some initial training for users.
• Subscription model: Requires a recurring subscription fee, which might be a consideration for budget-conscious businesses.

Overall

IT Glue is a valuable tool for businesses seeking to improve their IT infrastructure documentation and asset and configuration management. Furthermore, it integrates seamlessly with PSA tools, enhancing overall IT service delivery workflows. 

However, if your primary focus is on traditional asset lifecycle management or cost tracking, exploring dedicated IT asset management solutions might be more suitable. Additionally, consider your budget and the learning curve associated with implementing IT Glue before making a decision.

6. Reftab

Reftab is a cloud-based IT asset management solution that offers features for asset tracking, software license management, and reporting. Here’s a closer look at its features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it aligns with your needs.

Features

• Asset tracking: Track IT equipment, including laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. Reftab offers features for barcode scanning, location tracking, and user assignment.
• Software license management: Monitor software licenses, identify unused licenses, and receive alerts for potential compliance issues. This helps optimize software usage and avoid licensing costs.
• Automated inventory updates: Reftab simplifies asset inventory management system with automated updates that reflect changes in your asset portfolio.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on asset usage, software licensing compliance, and IT asset health. Gain insights to optimize IT operations and resource allocation.
• Check-in/check-out functionality: Manage asset assignments with a user-friendly check-in/check-out system. This ensures clear accountability and tracks asset usage patterns.
• Mobile app: Access and manage assets on the go with the Reftab mobile app.
• Integrations: Integrates with popular IT service management (ITSM) tools for a unified experience.

Pros

• Cloud-based and user-friendly: Reftab offers a cloud-based platform with a user-friendly interface, making it easy to access and manage assets from anywhere.
• Automated features: Saves time and effort with automated inventory updates and check-in/check-out functionality.
• Improved compliance: Helps ensure compliance with software licensing regulations.
• Mobile accessibility: The mobile app provides convenient access to asset data from anywhere.
• Integration benefits: Integrates seamlessly with ITSM tools, streamlining IT asset management workflows.
• Focus on IT assets: Reftab specifically caters to IT asset management, offering features tailored to IT equipment and software licenses.

Cons

• Limited features compared to suites: Compared to comprehensive IT asset management solutions, Reftab might lack functionalities like hardware asset depreciation tracking or advanced reporting capabilities.
• Focus on IT assets: While Reftab excels in IT asset management, it may not be suitable for managing a wider range of physical assets like furniture or vehicles.

Overall

Reftab is a user-friendly and cloud-based asset management tool ideal for businesses with a focus on managing IT equipment and software licenses. Furthermore, its automated features and mobile accessibility simplify asset management processes. 

However, if you require more extensive functionalities like depreciation tracking or broader asset management beyond IT equipment, exploring dedicated IT asset management solutions with a wider range of features might be more beneficial.

7. Jira

Jira is primarily a project management tool, but it can also be used for asset management. It provides features for tracking assets, assigning tasks, and generating reports. Here’s a breakdown of its features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your IT asset management needs.

Features

• Asset tracking: Track assets like hardware or software licenses within Jira issues.
• Customizable fields: Create custom fields to capture specific asset details relevant to your needs.
• Workflows and automation: Automate tasks associated with asset tracking, such as sending notifications or triggering maintenance workflows.
• Reporting: Generate basic reports on asset data captured within Jira issues.
• Integrations: Integrates with various third-party applications that might offer additional asset management functionalities.

Pros

• Familiar interface: Businesses already using Jira for project management benefit from a familiar interface for basic asset tracking.
• Customization: Customizable fields allow the tailoring of Jira to capture specific asset information.
• Automation potential: Automate routine tasks associated with asset tracking to save time and effort.
• Integration benefits: Integrations with other tools can extend Jira’s functionality for asset management.

Cons

• Limited functionality: Jira isn’t a dedicated asset management tool. It lacks features like automated asset discovery, comprehensive reporting, or dedicated software license management.
• Manual data entry: Most asset data needs manual entry within Jira issues, increasing the workload for managing large asset portfolios.
• Not designed for asset-specific needs: Jira might not offer the intuitive workflows or specialized features dedicated IT asset management solutions provide.

Overall

Jira offers a basic and familiar option for tracking assets within existing project management workflows. However, for comprehensive IT asset management with features like automated discovery, in-depth reporting, and dedicated software license management, exploring dedicated IT asset management solutions is highly recommended. Additionally, the manual data entry required in Jira can become cumbersome for managing large asset inventories.

Consider your existing workflows and the complexity of your asset portfolio before deciding if Jira’s basic asset-tracking capabilities meet your needs.

8. Ivanti

Ivanti offers a comprehensive IT service management (ITSM) platform that includes IT asset management capabilities. This solution is best suited for large organizations with complex IT environments. Here’s a closer look at Ivanti’s ITAM features, pros, and cons to see if it aligns with your needs.

Features

• Automated discovery and inventory: Ivanti automatically discovers and inventories all hardware and software assets across your network, eliminating manual data entry and ensuring complete visibility.
• Software license management: Track software licenses, identify unused licenses, and receive alerts for potential compliance issues. This helps you optimize software usage and avoid licensing costs.
• Vulnerability management: Identify and prioritize security vulnerabilities within your IT assets, improving overall IT security posture.
• Patch management: Automate patch deployment to address vulnerabilities and keep your IT infrastructure secure.
• Configuration management: Manage and enforce consistent configurations across your IT assets, ensuring optimal performance and security.
• Service desk integration: Integrate with Ivanti’s service desk solution for streamlined incident management and asset lifecycle tracking.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate comprehensive reports on asset usage, software licensing compliance, and IT security posture. Gain valuable insights to optimize IT operations and resource allocation.
• Scalability: Ivanti scales to accommodate the needs of large and complex IT environments.

Pros

• Comprehensive ITAM functionality: Ivanti Neurons offers a robust suite of features specifically designed for comprehensive IT asset management.
• Enhanced security: Vulnerability management and patch management features strengthen your overall IT security posture.
• Improved compliance: Helps ensure compliance with software licensing regulations.
• Streamlined workflows: Integrates with Ivanti’s service desk solution for efficient incident management and asset tracking.
• Scalability: Suitable for businesses with large and growing IT asset portfolios.
• Actionable insights: Reporting and analytics provide valuable data for optimizing IT operations and resource allocation.

Cons

• Complexity: Ivanti’s comprehensive features might require a steeper learning curve compared to basic asset management tools.
• Cost: Ivanti can be a more expensive solution compared to some standalone IT asset management tools, especially for smaller businesses.
• Focus on large enterprises: Ivanti’s features might be overkill for businesses with very basic IT asset management needs.

Overall

Ivanti is a powerful IT asset management solution ideal for large and complex IT environments. Furthermore, its integration with Ivanti’s service desk solution and focus on IT security make it a valuable tool for organizations seeking a holistic ITSM approach. 

However, the complexity and cost might be a deterrent for smaller businesses with simpler IT asset management needs. Consider your IT infrastructure size and budget when deciding if Ivanti’s comprehensive features align with your requirements.

9. SysAid

SysAid is another ITSM platform that includes IT asset management features, such as asset discovery, inventory management, and service desk integration. Here’s a breakdown of SysAid’s ITAM features, pros, and cons to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.

Features

• Automated discovery and inventory: SysAid automatically discovers network assets and creates a comprehensive inventory, including hardware components and software products.
• Software management: Efficiently manage installed software locations and automate renewal reminders. This ensures optimal software utilization and compliance.
• Remote control: SysAid allows service desk agents to securely resolve end-user issues remotely, boosting responsiveness and user satisfaction.
• Service desk integration: SysAid ITAM integrates seamlessly with the SysAid service desk, eliminating data silos and streamlining workflows.
• Reporting and analytics: Generate reports on asset usage, software licensing compliance, and IT service desk metrics. Gain valuable insights for informed decision-making.
• Asset lifecycle management: Track assets throughout their lifecycle, from acquisition to disposal.

Pros

• Integrated ITSM platform: SysAid offers a unified platform for both IT asset management and service desk functionalities, simplifying ITOM.
• Improved efficiency: Automated features and service desk integration streamline asset management workflows.
• Enhanced user experience: Remote control capabilities empower service desk agents to resolve issues efficiently, improving user satisfaction.
• Data-driven insights: Comprehensive reporting provides valuable data for optimizing IT resource allocation and software usage.
• Scalability: SysAid scales to accommodate the needs of businesses of all sizes.

Cons

• Limited features compared to dedicated solutions: SysAid’s ITAM functionalities might not be as comprehensive as dedicated IT asset management solutions, lacking features like advanced license compliance management or asset dependency mapping.
• Focus on SysAid ecosystem: While integrations exist, integrating SysAid ITAM with third-party tools might be less straightforward.
• Cost: The overall cost of the SysAid platform, including ITAM features, might be higher than some standalone IT asset management tools.

Overall

SysAid is a strong choice for businesses seeking a unified ITSM platform with integrated IT asset management capabilities. Furthermore, its focus on service desk integration and user experience can optimize IT support processes. However, if you require highly specialized ITAM features or prefer a more open integration platform, exploring dedicated IT asset management solutions might be beneficial. 

Additionally, consider your budget and the potential learning curve associated with implementing SysAid before making a decision.

Choose your asset management tools wisely!

By implementing a robust asset management tool, you can gain complete control over your assets, optimize their lifecycle, and maximize their value. When choosing an asset management tool, consider your specific needs and the features offered by different solutions. 

For unparalleled asset dependency visibility and a comprehensive ITAM solution, Virima ITAM stands out as a top contender. Furthermore, Virima ITAM offers a user-friendly interface, robust functionalities, and seamless integration with existing IT systems.

Ready to take control of your assets and experience the benefits of a powerful asset management tool? Research available options and consider features that best suit your needs. Asset management tools can transform the way you manage your assets, leading to increased efficiency, cost savings, and improved decision-making.

To learn more about asset management tools from Virima, schedule a demo today!