In a world where technological advancements in IT are used to drive a variety of highly important and sensitive business processes, developing a working and optimized ITAM/ITAD process is essential. Today, companies cannot afford to ignore the importance of an optimal IT system which includes both hardware and software. As times change and various aspects of the IT system become obsolete, it is up to the established ITAM/ITAD process to monitor asset lifecycle and identify any obsolete assets for decommissioning. Once this is done, the process should also chart out a transparent decommissioning process that maximizes value to the company while safeguarding data and maximizing value.

Below we will take a look at the importance of a properly functioning ITAM/ITAD process in today’s business world.

Monitor Lifecycle

Properly matching up a company’s ITAM/ITAD process allows for the effective and efficient monitoring of the asset lifecycle. With an established ITAM process, important assets can be properly monitored as time passes, and be identified for decommissioning when the time is right. This proper timing is vital to ensuring that the company not only reaps the rewards of timely obsolete asset replacement but also realizing the maximum value of decommissioned assets. This affects assets in the form of both hardware and software.

Data Security

Companies dedicate a substantial amount of resources to data security. This data is usually stored in the IT hardware. Matching up the ITAM/ITAD process is supposed to ensure that all assets to be decommissioned are wiped clean of all data. This step ensures that the organization does not end up spending huge sums on data security only to end up exposing itself through the IT hardware decommissioning process. With a properly matched ITAM/ITAD process, all assets identified for decommissioning are wiped clean in a transparent process to ensure that the company’s data security is not compromised at any point.

Value

IT assets scheduled for decommissioning follow different paths and lead to the realization of different values to the company. Assets can be recycled, resold, disposed or reassigned. It is up to the company to develop an ITAM/ITAD process that identifies the best alternative out of the above-mentioned options delivering the highest value. For this value to be realized, it is up to the company to find a way of determining the true value of the assets before disposal. By extracting the highest value from the decommissioned assets, companies can be able to offset the cost of new equipment or disposal activities.

Companies looking to optimize the ITAM/ITAD process need to realize the importance of matching these two aspects perfectly to each other. This will help them in enhancing transparency in the decommissioning process, ensure data security and ultimately manage the entire process easily and efficiently.

About AER Worldwide

AER Worldwide mitigates risk and provides global solution to handle your entire end-of-life materials management needs. We provide eco-friendly solutions and services throughout the entire IT product life cycle. Our Reverse Logistics efforts, or “aftermarket” services, help organizations after the initial sale and provide IT asset disposition support throughout the life of the equipment. With global locations, AER Worldwide will provide eco-friendly services, with certified brand protection techniques. To learn more about AER Worldwide, visit www.aerworldwide.com.