Mature your ITAM practice to unlock business benefits and eliminate bill shock
In the intricate web of modern business operations, effective management of software and cloud assets has become synonymous with organisational success.
Businesses are increasingly turning to IT Asset Management (ITAM) Maturity Assessments to truly understand and enhance this critical aspect. These assessments go beyond gauging your compliance and offer organisations a detailed roadmap to optimise IT processes, drive overall efficiency, and strategically align technology with the overarching business goals. When an ITAM Maturity Assessment is done well, and built into the overall strategy, organisations can discover insights and techniques that propel them toward a more resilient, efficient, and mature IT environment.
Why would I want to mature my ITAM practice?
Maturing your ITAM practice can unlock benefits for your business that previously seemed unachievable. Financially, a mature ITAM practice is crucial for cost optimisation, identifying underutilised assets, and streamlining procurement processes. However, outside of the financial benefits, embracing a mature ITAM framework enables organisations to gain enhanced visibility into their IT assets, allowing for informed decision-making and resource optimisation. It also ensures compliance with industry regulations and contractual obligations, reducing the risk of legal complications and costly financial penalties.
Cost Optimisation:
One of the most tangible benefits of a mature ITAM practice is cost optimisation. Businesses can identify and eliminate unnecessary expenditures by gaining a comprehensive understanding of IT assets. This might include avoiding over-licensing, eliminating redundant software, and optimising maintenance costs, ultimately contributing to significant savings by as much as 40% in some cases.
Identifying Underutilised Assets:
Mature ITAM practices empower organisations to identify and address underutilised assets, 1Flexera’s State of ITAM report often quotes that as much as 36% of desktop and 33% of data centre software is wasted. Whether it's hardware, software, or other IT resources, recognising and repurposing or retiring underutilised assets ensures that investments align with actual business needs, maximising the value derived from each asset.
Streamlining Procurement Processes:
Mature ITAM practices streamline commercial and procurement processes by providing visibility into the entire lifecycle of IT assets. This visibility enables more informed decision-making during the procurement phase, ensuring that asset acquisition aligns with business needs, avoiding unnecessary costs, preventing the purchasing of duplicate or incompatible technology and freeing up valuable resources.
Enhanced Visibility:
IT infrastructure visibility enjoys a significant boost from a mature ITAM practice. This heightened visibility allows organisations to track assets, monitor usage patterns, and identify potential issues in real-time. Enhanced visibility is crucial for effective data driven decision-making and proactive problem-solving across the IT landscape.
Compliance with Agreements:
Maintaining compliance with software licensing agreements is a core aspect of ITAM maturity, specifically Software Asset Management (SAM). By accurately tracking and managing licenses, organisations can avoid the legal, financial and reputational consequences associated with non-compliance, and enjoy the significant economic benefits which may arise from removing unused software licenses from the business. This proactive approach ensures a solid foundation for a trustworthy and compliant IT environment.
Transparent Reporting:
A mature ITAM practice facilitates transparent reporting, providing stakeholders with accurate and up to date information on the current IT asset estate. This transparency not only aids in strategic decision-making but also builds credibility and trust among stakeholders, including customers, senior partners, and regulatory bodies. Transparent reporting supports a culture of accountability and responsibility within the organisation, feeding into overall business goals.
Informed Decision Making:
Informed decision-making is a direct outcome of mature ITAM practices, and has been mentioned quite a few times in the benefits of ITAM maturity. With accurate data on asset utilisation, performance, and costs, organisations can make strategic decisions that align with business goals and objectives. This may include optimising technology investments, planning for future needs, and staying ahead of technological advancements compared to competitors.
Resource Optimisation and Allocation:
A mature ITAM practice enables organisations to optimise the allocation of resources effectively. By understanding the usage patterns of IT assets, businesses can allocate resources based on actual needs, avoiding overprovisioning and ensuring that each department has the right resources to operate efficiently.