8 AI Agents Use Cases for IT Asset Management

‘AI will not replace you; people who use AI will.'

So, are you using the AI agents right now or getting ready to get replaced? When you put these AI agents to practical use in IT asset management, you’ll realize what an incredible sparring partner they are!

AI agents are intelligent assistants that handle repetitive tasks, protect your business data, help you work smarter, share live updates, and predict workflow patterns and inadequacies. According to a KPMG AI Survey, over 51% of organizations are exploring the use of AI agents.

In 2023, AI in asset management helped companies hit $3,677.4 million in revenue. This means organizations rely more on AI agents, leading to higher profits and better AI performance.

This guide will discuss 8 solid use cases of AI agents in IT asset management and share some handy tips on maximizing operational efficiency. Let’s get started!

1. Automated Asset Discovery and Inventory Management

Even one lost or misplaced asset can create chaos. Chaos, like overpayment of taxes or insurance, compromises IT continuity or financial misstatements. These can drastically affect a business's operational efficiency and increase operational costs.

For example, if you don’t account for 30% of your IT assets, you would pay 30% more taxes than necessary.

Take another example of an employee who needs to locate and access a piece of equipment urgently. If that equipment isn’t tracked, it will directly impact productivity. Manually tracking assets with spreadsheets or static databases might work for a small business, but as your infrastructure grows, so do the risks of inefficiency and human error. Here, AI agents come to the rescue.

They are like tireless detectives for your IT network. They continuously scan networks to detect both new and existing IT assets. 

Take an Example from Reddit of how AI agents check up on inventory:

Using machine learning models to classify and categorize assets ensures that everything is accounted for. It eliminates the need for manual tracking, which is prone to errors, and prevents the buildup of "ghost assets" that can cause security risks.

AI doesn’t just stop at tracking. IT teams can train it to identify unauthorized devices and flag potential security risks. You can also set up automated alerts for new and missing assets.

Integrating AI agents with a Configuration Management Database (CMDB), IT teams can receive real-time asset updates, making asset management seamless and efficient.

2. Intelligent Procurement and Cost Optimization

AI agents are the future of procurement. Not sure? It may interest you that procurement is not just about buying—it’s about buying smart, which is where AI agents come in.

AI agents can analyze historical procurement data on cloud services and recommend cost-effective purchasing strategies. AI agents can help organizations reduce operational costs and avoid waste by tracking usage trends and recommending purchase adjustments.For example, an IT manager is handling multiple tracks of software licenses. With many SaaS tools in the organization, renewals often slip through the cracks, leading to last-minute purchases at premium rates or even missing the deal at the best rates. AI agents dig into the usage data and renewal dates, alert managers about upcoming renewals, suggest consolidating underused licenses, and even negotiate better vendor pricing. 

To top it off, AI agents can also perform price comparisons across vendors. This will help IT teams secure the best deals while complying with budget policies, automatically simplifying decision-making processes. We have more to say.

AI agents can use predictive models to forecast asset demand based on employee needs. This ensures that teams have just what they need for optimal operational efficiency without overstocking.

They (AI agents) can also automate tasks like renewal reminders and bulk procurement decisions across supply chains. This reduces tedious manual procurement processes and ensures timely actions.

Source: Reddit 

3. Predictive Maintenance and Hardware Health Monitoring

The average cost of an hour of asset downtime is about $500,000! Imagine how much your business could lose if asset downtimes often plague you. This is why every business needs to monitor asset performance. 

Thanks to AI agents, organizations can use real-time hardware health metrics to predict and avoid asset downtimes. AI agents use anomaly detection algorithms to identify devices at risk of malfunctioning. They can also automate maintenance scheduling and send notifications to IT teams, ensuring timely interventions and proactive maintenance.

Source: Reddit 

To achieve the core functions discussed above, AI agents can be designed to use adaptive learning processes to recognize patterns of hardware degradation. They can also be programmed to automate hardware replacement schedules through predictive insights. These features will lead to fewer service requests, warranty claims, and better service delivery.Pro tip💡: CMMS (Computerized Maintenance Management System) and MM (Maintenance Management) software like Siemens, MindSphere MaintainX help reduce downtime losses and achieve sustainable objectives. 

4. AI-Powered Compliance and License Management

Software compliance and license management can be tricky. However, with AI-powered solutions like AI agents, software regulatory compliance and license management can be easier and more efficient. Here’s how!

AI agents can track software usage across an organization and ensure compliance with licensing policies. They can detect shadow IT—unauthorized software installations that pose security and compliance risks—and flag them for review. 

AI agents can also automate audit preparation by generating detailed compliance reports. This can save IT teams countless hours of manual work on various audit trails.

IT teams can also use AI agents to optimize compliance with regulatory standards. For instance, AI agents can flag software that exceeds license limits, which can save the organization costly penalties.

AI agents can also automate license renewals and cancellations. This way, organizations don’t overspend on unused software. IT teams can also stay audit-ready by training AI agents to generate on-demand compliance reports.

5. Enhanced IT Security and Threat Detection

Hackers continue to find new ways to attack businesses hence, more enterprises need smart security solutions. Companies can access a protective shield layer with AI-driven systems like AI agents. As cybersecurity tools, AI agents are designed to monitor IT assets. 

AI agents can spot unusual patterns and unauthorized access attempts as real-time monitoring tools. They can also be incorporated with machine learning to detect insider threats or security breaches, protecting sensitive information.

Another cool feature of AI agents in cybersecurity is their ability to automate incident response. For example, if a device is compromised, AI agents can immediately isolate it from the network to prevent further damage.

IT teams can beef up their security protocols by configuring AI agents to hunt real-time threats and automatically block their access points. They can also be used for patch management and vulnerability scanning. This way, IT teams can have software that is always up to date with optimal performance over time.

6. Automated Employee Onboarding and Offboarding

Onboarding and offboarding are essential parts of every organization’s operations. Depending on the company's size, either can be a herculean task. 

However, AI tools can automatically provide new employees with necessary IT equipment, such as computers and software, based on their job role. This saves both the team and new employees the stress of requesting and manually supplying such tools. 

For offboarding, AI agents ensure the quick retrieval of company equipment. This minimizes reports of missing equipment or delayed returns.

Whether the company is onboarding or offboarding, AI agents can update company systems and information to reflect these changes. For instance, if someone moves from one department to another, AI agents automatically adjust their permissions to ensure they can only access what they need.

The IT team is responsible for training AI agents to maximize their potential in employee onboarding and offboarding. This will make the processes more efficient and secure and save the company time and resources.

Sources: Reddit

7. AI-powered Help Desk and IT Support

AI is changing the way IT support works. Chatbots have changed how customers access help and support. With the right AI agents, IT support teams can easily handle many complex tasks. AI chatbots are a good example of this. 

AI chatbots are like friendly robots that can immediately answer common questions about IT assets. Imagine you have a problem with your computer, but instead of waiting for a human agent, you get instant answers from a chatbot. This saves time, keeps things running smoothly, and increases user satisfaction.

Another cool feature of AI agents is their ability to automate ticket categorization and routing. Hence, when a user reports an issue, this innovative solution can quickly decide where to send the ticket. The right support personnel are immediately assigned to a specific problem, helping to solve the problem sooner and improving user experience.

AI agents can also predict potential IT issues by observing patterns and trends. If it thinks there’s a problem brewing, it can offer solutions before the issue becomes serious. 

Hence, IT teams are encouraged to deploy AI-powered self-service IT support that guides users to solve simple problems independently. They also need to program their AI agents to automate ticket prioritization based on their urgency,

8. Sustainable IT Asset Management

According to Statista, sustainability has become a pressing issue in the tech industry. In fact, 88% of IT leaders think they can improve their sustainability efforts.

Hence, it’s no surprise AI-powered tools are stepping up to help manage IT assets in greener ways. By using AI-driven insights, companies can reduce waste, extend the life of their hardware, track their environmental impact more effectively and reduce operational risk.

AI excels at analyzing asset lifecycle data. It can recommend ways to use IT equipment more sustainably, such as when to upgrade or extend the life of devices. This helps reduce unnecessary purchases and waste.

Another way AI helps is by detecting hardware that can be refurbished or repurposed instead of thrown away. Recycleye is a good example. This AI agent uses algorithms to detect whether IT tools are outdated or still functional. It can even suggest less demanding ways to use such gadgets.

AI also automates e-waste disposal tracking. These intelligent systems ensure companies follow compliance rules when removing old equipment. It’s a smart way to stay organized and avoid penalties while protecting the environment.

IT teams can use AI to make their asset management processes more sustainable in many ways. One top priority is optimizing hardware upgrades. For example, IT teams can use AI to determine the best time to upgrade devices. This ensures that the company does not replace equipment too soon, which in turn saves money and reduces waste.

IT teams can also automate recycling processes by using AI-provided insights and recommendations on efficient recycling methods. AI gamers can even suggest partnerships with certified recycling companies to handle e-waste responsibly. How cool is this!

AI teams can also set up AI-powered tools to monitor the environmental impact of IT assets. This helps you measure and reduce your carbon footprint over time. This is a huge win for the environment.

Thinking of Ways to Create a Seamless ITAM?

Toward the end of this blog, we aim to show that businesses that do not use AI agents are falling behind.

AI agents are crucial in IT Asset Management, helping save time, cut costs, optimize resources, and improve user experience.

AI agents automate tedious tasks and deliver real-time insights, allowing IT teams to focus on more strategic organizational goals.

From automated asset discovery to sustainable IT practices, AI agents improve efficiency and facilitate more intelligent organizational workflows.

One of the most exciting utilities of AI agents in ITAM is its predictive features. Whether forecasting hardware failures, optimizing procurement, or identifying security threats, AI agents ensure you’re always one step ahead.

AI agents also give you an edge in sustainability. It helps businesses reduce e-waste and track their carbon footprints. 

Despite its many utilities, the effectiveness of AI agents depends heavily on how well they are implemented. Without a proper approach to asset management, there’s no room for AI. You need a holistic approach with people, processes, and the right tools. Hence, IT teams must train AI models, configure alerts, and integrate AI tools into existing organizational systems to unlock their full potential.

Tools like Workwize, put your processes, devices, and inventory– everything needed for AI agents to move forward. Little wonder that top teams use Workwize.

Build accountability with AI agents. Try Workwize IT asset management capabilities like managing, procuring, and retrieving assets all from a single dashboard. When foundations are built strong, any innovation sits on them efficiently.  Don’t trust us until you try us. Book a demo now to see Workwize in action.

FAQs

• What are AI agents in IT Asset Management?

AI agents are smart software tools that simplify IT asset management. They automate different tasks, which helps save time and reduce the effects of human oversight. AI agents give data-driven insights that help IT teams make better decisions, work more efficiently, and achieve organizational goals.

• How do AI agents improve efficiency in ITAM?

AI agents automate routine tasks like finding assets, managing support tickets, and tracking compliance. This lets IT teams spend their time on more complex and important organizational tasks.

• Can AI agents help with security in IT asset management?

Yes! AI agents are intelligent systems that monitor IT assets and detect any unusual activities or security threats. They can spot unauthorized access attempts and automatically respond to incidents. 

• How do AI agents assist in procurement and cost optimization?

AI agents analyze historical and real-time data and recommend smart and cost-effective buying strategies. They can predict what assets will be needed in the future and suggest vendors. AI agents can also automate renewal reminders, making it easier for IT teams to make informed purchasing decisions.

• What role do AI agents play in predictive maintenance?

AI agents keep track of hardware health metrics and can predict when failures might occur before they actually do. This proactive maintenance approach allows IT teams to schedule maintenance processes ahead of time, avoid unexpected downtime and automate workflows.

• How can AI agents contribute to sustainability in IT asset management?

AI agents analyze high-quality data about the lifecycle of assets to recommend sustainable usage practices. They can identify hardware that can be refurbished or repurposed, helping to extend its life cycle. Additionally, AI agents automate the tracking of a wide-range of e-waste disposal to ensure that it complies with environmental regulations and responsible waste management policies

• What are some tips for implementing AI agents effectively in ITAM?

To get the most out of AI agents, IT teams must train them to recognize patterns in historical data, which enhances their ability to make informed decisions. Setting up automated alerts for critical issues is also essential, as it ensures that teams are promptly notified of any significant changes. Lastly, integrating AI tools with existing systems allows for seamless operation, making it easier for IT teams to leverage AI utilities effectively in their workflows.

• Are AI agents suitable for small businesses?

Absolutely! AI agents can be scaled to meet the needs of small businesses. This will allow them to manage their IT assets more efficiently without requiring extensive resource allocation. By leveraging AI agents, small businesses can implement AI solutions tailored to their specific needs. This will reduce operational costs and improve operational efficiency.

• How do AI agents improve decision-making in businesses?

AI agents are great at enhancing businesses’ decision-making processes. They can produce real-time data and find meaningful patterns and trends that people might miss. This means companies can make informed decisions based on solid data instead of just guessing.

• What are the potential risks associated with using AI agents?

AI agents are super helpful, but they come with some risks. Some AI tools might raise data privacy concerns and false positives. Others may be too expensive ortoo  technical for small businesses to implement.