Are you having trouble calculating where exactly your IT budget is being spent? Your IT team might use a spreadsheet to track assets and their assigned users, but it often lacks the clarity you need. Departments spend trillions of dollars each month on new equipment, but manually tracking asset check-ins and check-outs is complex and error-prone, leaving gaps in accountability.
Source: Reddit
Here comes asset-tracking software. It provides structure, security, user access levels, and other prominent features (discussed below) that might take months to implement in spreadsheets. Without asset tracking software,
It isn't easy to track where IT assets are located, their status, and who owns them
Monitoring the product's lifecycle (warranty, upgrades, retrieval, disposal)
No visibility into who has what, so you cannot support them in issues better
I recommend trying the asset-tracking software listed below to avoid such snags. Before I take you through my list of the best IT asset-tracking software, I'll get you up to speed on their basics and the benefits they bring.
IT asset management tracks and manages IT resources throughout their lifecycle, including hardware, software, and peripherals.
It ensures compliance with regulations, such as knowing the location of all assets (laptops, peripherals, etc.), and simplifies ownership tracking. Integrating asset management with HR systems can reduce manual work, improve transparency, and streamline processes such as onboarding and offboarding.
Centralized tools provide a clear overview of equipment assignments, enable automated workflows, and support global IT needs, including maintenance, repairs, and security.
Two types of asset management software you can choose from based on your scalability and resources:
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On-Premise When IT assets are hosted and managed on cloud platforms provided by third-party vendors like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud. Provides full ownership and control over hardware, software, and networks. However, it requires upfront capital for installation and maintenance while the scope of failure is limited. In the on-premise setup, you need to pull off all the tasks stemming from technical, patching, monitoring hardware failures, and maintaining backups. Cloud With cloud setup, assets are hosted and managed in the organization's own physical infrastructure, such as data centers or office equipment. Here, cloud providers handle backend complexity for you (e.g., hardware maintenance security patches). Has some limitations with troubleshooting and diagnosing issues in distributed systems. Of course, since it's cloud, you cannot access the underlying hardware fully. |
Asset tracking software helps you manage IT devices such as laptops, servers, software licenses, and other equipment without writing down every detail on a sheet. It automates the process of logging, monitoring, and organizing assets throughout their lifecycle, ensuring they are accounted for, maintained, and properly assigned.
When managing IT assets for short-term allocation, like when you assign a laptop to an intern during onboarding for six months, keeping track of the entire lifecycle can be a headache. IT processes create various problems between procurement, deployment, and retrieval, such as laptop quality assurance, employees not leaving with the device, and so on.
Source: Reddit
What asset management software does:
Maintains a centralized database of all assets, tracking who has what, when it was issued, and when it’s due for return.
Automated reminders and audit trails ensure assets are accounted for.
Assign asset value tags and generate priority-based recovery reports.
Integrate with inventory and HR systems to mark damaged or unconfigured items, flag offboarding employees, and trigger recovery workflows.
After careful evaluation, we've identified the best IT asset-tracking tools that stand out for their asset-tracking and inventory management capabilities.
These software were intentionally chosen for their rock-hard security, scalability to migrate anytime, automation scope, and user popularity.
Here's a closer look at each software and what makes them ideal for effective asset management practices.
Workwize is a zero-touch platform for IT teams to manage the entire lifecycle of global IT hardware. Powered by automated workflows to reduce manual workload, it helps with IT procurement, deployment, management, retrieval, and disposal. Here's how it delivers:
Focused on solving centralized logistics management with global delivery within 5-7 days.
Automated and standardized equipment ordering process to save time and cater to diverse workforce needs.
Real-time data on where your shipped assets are at any place or time through a track-and-trace link.
Out-of-the-box configured device image/ enrolment into MDM and automatic onboarding via your preferred HRIS platform.
Sync with your HR systems to set up devices for new hires and automatically lock devices when employees leave.
Employees can access self-service IT support to request items, request repairs/ maintenance, or request any other support.
Easy-to-use, highly intuitive platform
Self-service IT support
Serving over 100+ countries and have local warehouses in the European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, India, Australia, Brazil and the Philippines
Users are happy with Workwize's capability of remote global workforce management.
User may not opt for Workwize if:
If the team size is relatively low, less than 10-20
No IT asset requirement globally
Pricing
Workwize offers three pricing plans: Basic at $8/month/seat, Professional at $11/month/seat, and a custom price for the Enterprise plan.
Snipe IT is most popular among users for its open-source ITAM. It provides easy installation and configuration and supports software licenses, hardware, and more. With the platform's custom workflow automation, users can build custom sites that interact with APIs and other tools, reducing manual effort and ensuring up-to-date asset management.
Key Features:
Host Snipe-IT yourself, use their hosting, or modify it while keeping full control of your data.
Open-source ensures security and adherence to standards without relying solely on vendor claims.
Regular updates, feature releases, and community-driven development are publicly accessible.
Snipe IT PowerShell API wraps any script and automates asset creation and update.
Built-in QR code label generator to allow easy creation of tracking labels
Users Choose Snipe IT for
Quite suitable & hassle-free if you’re planning to shift from an Excel spreadsheet of assets to Snipe IT
Users rave for this software due to its quick, free, and easy setup.
Snipe-IT streamlines inventory management by integrating barcode scanning, enabling efficient audits and reducing hardware loss.
Users claim the software to be very cost-effective, which is certainly the highlight of the software.
You can pull device details manually and put them into CSV, no relying on Use a script to pull device details and dump them into a CSV so you don't have to rely on a user (or yourself) typing details in; I use one for Windows to pull the service tag, Windows version (to check patching is working), etc
When Users Don’t Choose Snipe IT?
According to public reviews, some users feel the software's UI is outdated and that there is scope for improvement.
From a technical perspective, we found some complaints that the tool fails to notify updates for dual asset holders or license expirations. This is a major turnoff for a tool that maintains data.
Pricing
You can choose between a hosted account and a self-hosted account. Self-hosting is entirely free, whereas Basic Hosting starts at $399.99.
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🔖Check out 4 Snipe-IT Alternatives to learn more or get started with Workwize |
ManageEngine AssetExplorer is robust asset management software that centrally manages the life cycles of your assets. It is specifically designed for inventory management, including smartphones, laptops, tablets, desktops, and more. It thoroughly maintains a detailed inventory, smooths device onboarding using automated or self-enrollment methods, and provides real-time scans and reports.
Key Features
Password Self-Service allows users to securely reset their passwords, reducing help desk tickets and improving productivity. It also includes multi-factor authentication (MFA) and password policy enforcement.
Mobile Device Management (MDM).Manages the lifecycle of mobile devices, from enrollment to retirement. Includes features like remote troubleshooting, data security, location tracking, and compliance management.
Custom Notifications.Send alerts for emergencies, updates, or maintenance schedules directly to device users.
Compliance Enforcement. Detect and block non-compliant devices, like jailbroken or rooted ones, to meet organizational standards.
Users Choose ManageEngine for
Free 30-day trial is a steal deal.
The tool is value-packed for money; a few quirks can be neglected due to its effective pricing.
Supports Android and iOS devices, making it highly versatile.
When Users Don’t Choose ManageEngine?
Some users think their onboarding experience wasn’t very smooth.
For small businesses, Mobile Device Manager Plus is pretty expensive.
Cloud base can be a slight hiccup.
Pricing
The Standard edition starts at $1.28 per device per month, and the Professional edition, which includes custom configurations, starts at $2.38 per device per month. On-premises plans go up to $17.9 per device per year.
AssetTiger is a cloud-based asset management tool. It is easy to navigate and fully customizable, and you can create categories for each asset linked to it. You can check the depreciation on any of your assets anytime you own them. The software is completely free for the first 250 assets and has unlimited users. All assets are accessible on your mobile app.
Source: Softwareadvice
Key Features
Enabled to view when an asset has been through maintenance and the ability to schedule the routine frequency of having that asset checked for repair.
Users always use this feature to audit the assets (mobile apps) to ensure they are still in locations/departments that were previously reported and take action if not.
The most remarkable feature is checking in and checking out digitally. When your team goes on a sales call, link them until they’re back.
Users Choose AssetTiger for
Best in for custom reports like inventory status and overall usage.
Store contracts and licenses in a single place
Users mainly love the platform due to its user-friendliness.
Send or schedule reminder emails when the contract is due.
Source: SoftwareadviceWhen Users Don’t Choose AssetTiger?
Some users feel that too many features confuse them and complicate the learning curve.
Users faced difficulties while running their hands-on customization features. Few even claimed that there are so many bugs in custom fields and that there’s no way to search their list to see if they are missing assetIDs.
Pricing
AssetTiger is completely free for the first 250 assets. Paid plans start at $120 per year for up to 500 assets. Check their pricing page for more details.
FreshService is a versatile IT service management tool that also supports asset management, including fixed assets like vehicles and machines. This makes it a practical choice for teams looking to streamline operations. Users can link incidents, service requests, or problems directly to assets, providing a comprehensive view of asset history and usage.
Key features
Single platform to track, maintain, and optimize IT assets throughout their lifecycle, from acquisition to disposal.
It helps to maintain schedules, real-time tracking, and automated workflows.
Seamless integration with IT Dropbox, Jira, Bomgar, CloudWatch, Quickbooks, Zapier, Zoom, Freshbooks, and Microsoft Teams for smooth operations and immediate value.
Features like lifecycle cost tracking and forecasting help eliminate redundant purchases and optimize IT resource expenditures.
Access to a CMDB allows users to map asset relationships, aiding in troubleshooting, compliance, and informed decision-making.
Users Choose Fresh Device for
The strong suit of Freshdesk is its automation capabilities (the most loved feature is the Workflow Automator), and ease of use. (which makes it a go-to software for users.)
Multipurpose software with IT ticketing, inventory management, QR code scanning, collaboration, and so on. IT asset management service is an extension service of Freshdesk.
When Users Don’t Choose a Freshservice?
The reviews indicate that users are not entirely happy with the customer support, which is a red flag.
Fresh Service software is a tad expensive.
Pricing
14-day free trial
From $19/user/month (billed annually)
It’s no surprise if you’re flummoxed by so many options available. Take note of your priorities and see if the software meets them. Few softwares are focused on managing assets remotely for the global workforce, some may focus on physical asset management, while others primarily feature workflow automation.
Narrow down your needs and invest in reputable software with high-end security. Make sure, in any case, the security of your asset is never compromised (preferably 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR). Make your decision based on these points:
Check software scalability and customization. When your asset requirement or business grows, your ITAM solution should be able to cope with your increasing demands for asset management.
Sometimes, customers buy a product without considering its UI; a hasty decision can lead to a long-term poor user experience. To make the comparison, take a free trial and have multiple stakeholders review the product internally.
While integration capabilities can often be extended through third-party APIs, it's crucial to ensure that key integrations—such as desk management, project management, accounting, and HRIS—are included in the core offering.
If you’re looking for a reliable solution, we confidently recommend Workwize.
It has a user-friendly interface, competitive pricing, seamless integration with HR systems, and robust automation features. Cloud-based management and automation handle everything from tracking to configurations, whether your team is re-making it a standout choice, remote or on-site.
Trusted by over 20,000 users worldwide, Workwize is a standout choice. It offers a reliable, cost-effective way to manage your IT assets without headaches.
FAQs
1. What is IT asset tracking software?
Think of IT asset tracking software as your guarding tool for your IT assets. It’s a foolproof platform that tracks your hardware, software, and other IT resources. As a result, IT departments have complete visibility of their entire asset management process.
2. How does IT asset-tracking software benefit remote workforces?
Remote teams often face challenges procuring, deploying, and retrieving IT assets. These problems include complicated logistics in different locations, time-consuming and costly shipping, and unstructured processes. IT asset tracking software like Workwize provides a centralized approach, locating multiple warehouses and automating deployment and retrieval.
3. What are the key features to look for in IT asset-tracking software?
Key Features to Look For:
Asset lifecycle tracking
Barcode/QR code/RFID integration
Remote monitoring and management
Integration with HR, finance, and IT systems
Reporting and analytics capabilities
Cloud accessibility
4. How much does IT asset-tracking software typically cost?
It can range from $15 to $150 per asset per month, depending on your business data requirements, scalability, geographies, organization policies, and other factors.
5. How do I integrate asset-tracking software with other IT systems?
Use software with open APIs. (mentioned above)
Sync with HR systems for automated provisioning and decommissioning.
Integrate with ITSM tools like Workwize.
Ensure compatibility with existing inventory and procurement systems.