Why AI can’t fix bad IT management, but can improve a good one

AI is becoming a hyped topic in almost every category, and the same goes for IT asset management. However, is AI just another buzzword or something that can really improve your ITAM practices?

Let’s take a closer look at what AI can actually do for your ITAM, the real benefits it offers, and the common pitfalls.

Laying the groundwork for AI

If you still manage asset data in spreadsheets or across disconnected tools, the first step is to get a proper ITAM tool. Trying to add AI before getting the basics right will only create more problems and extra work. Besides, even basic automations are hard to build if you have bad or disconnected tools in place. 

Ensuring good data quality is critical when it comes to AI usage. Your IT asset management software should act as the central system that connects everything, from asset procurement to end-of-life. Centralizing the entire asset lifecycle helps ensure up-to-date data while reducing errors and manual effort. Once your data is in good shape, you’ll be ready to unlock the real value AI can offer.

From reactive to proactive ITAM 

As mentioned before, when your asset data is accurate and your processes are clear, AI can help you take the extra steps. With AI built into your ITAM software, you can move from a reactive to a proactive operating model. With the help of AI, you can easily spot usage patterns and get suggestions on what to improve.

For example:
AI can tell you which devices give the best value over time or alert you before a certain model becomes a bigger issue. 

Improving asset utilization with AI can bring big cost savings, and the extra information can be quite valuable also for planning and budgeting. One important benefit of AI is the extra time saving. Instead of digging through the system or sending emails, you can just ask. Once AI is trained with your asset data, it can quickly give you the answers you need.

Using AI with ITAM does not only benefit the IT team, it can also improve the employee experience. In many companies, the IT team spends valuable time answering the same questions over and over. These questions can lead to long email chains and unnecessary delays. With a simple AI chatbot, the employee gets a faster answer, and IT has fewer tickets to manage. 

AI can help, but it is not all powerful

AI cannot fix a broken IT asset management system or unclear practices. It won’t clean your data or connect your tools. Those things still need your time and effort. 

But once your foundation is solid, bringing AI into your ITAM is a good idea. You will be able to reduce manual work and focus on more important tasks. You can think of AI as an additional co-worker that is happy to answer questions and give tips on how to improve the practices one step forward.

TL;DR

AI can improve IT asset management, but only if your data is up-to-date and systems are connected. If your information is outdated or spread across spreadsheets, using AI is not your first concern.