Asset management plays a pivotal role in how a company operates, sustains its growth, and ensures financial stability. The intricacies involved in IT asset management go beyond just understanding the life and value of assets. It encompasses a more comprehensive approach, combining tools, systems, and practices.
Understanding Asset Management
Asset management, in essence, involves the development, operation, maintenance, and disposal of assets in a cost-effective manner. The primary objective is to get optimal returns on assets, ensuring they contribute positively to a company’s bottom line.
For every business, especially those scaling rapidly, understanding the performance of fixed assets is critical. It’s not just about understanding the value of an asset today, but forecasting its future performance, assessing its depreciation, and determining when it should be retired or replaced.
Key Best Practices in Asset Management
Analyze Assets Performance:
- Regularly evaluate the performance of each asset.
- Continuously monitor maintenance requirements to prevent unnecessary expenses.
- Understand the lifecycle of each asset to ensure timely decisions regarding replacements or retirements.
Ensure Accurate Depreciation Tracking:
- Use reliable asset management software to track and calculate accurate depreciation.
- Make informed decisions regarding asset decommissioning or investments based on the asset’s current and projected value.
- Regularly validate the accuracy of the books to prevent potential financial discrepancies.
Maintain Assets Proactively:
- Employ a proactive approach to asset maintenance.
- Use software alerts to stay updated on maintenance schedules, thus preventing costly breakdowns and ensuring efficient performance.
Determine Asset Value and Set Levels of Service:
- Periodically evaluate the asset’s value and determine the level of service required.
- Understand market trends, customer demands, and service expectations for effective asset management.
Identify and Remove Ghost and Zombie Assets:
- Regularly audit assets to identify and remove ‘ghost’ assets (assets on books but not physically present) and ‘zombie’ assets (assets physically present but not on books).
- Ensuring accurate asset records can prevent unnecessary costs and potential compliance issues.
Ensure Regulatory Compliance:
- Use asset management tools to generate accurate reports that can guide strategic decisions.
- Regularly validate compliance with both internal and external benchmarks.
Benefits of Asset Management
Effective asset management leads to several benefits:
- Extends the lifecycle of assets, enhancing their performance.
- Assists in achieving both short-term and long-term organizational goals.
- Facilitates verification of asset performance and compliance with benchmarks.
- Reduces wastage and streamlines inventory processes.
- Promotes data-driven decisions rather than speculative ones.
