Please recommend some software to help the IT Department of my firm to
create and keep up to date an IT assets register.  We have a
department of 3, who look after around 100 users.  Almost all of our
systems are MS, and the software could (but does not have to) use MS
SQLServer to hold the data, with an appropriate front end.

We want to be able to capture and automatically update such
information as user PC processor in use, memory, attached printers
(where possible), disk drive details etc, as well as carrying out a
software audit (on servers and user PCs).  The software should also
have somewhere to store licensing details - eg date licence puchased,
next renewal, in use by, and so on.

I'm sure there are lots of options, but what would be sensible for a
firm of our size?  We are fed up with having to keep all of this info
up to date manually (which, often, doesn't happen!)

Michael2

Manchester --

I'm going to recommend a series of products based on personal
experience, as we use Belarc Advisor to do the same here (albeit with
only 4 PCs to manage).  Understanding that you need a tool that
manages the information on a server, you may want to consider another
of Belarc's products for that purpose.

However, you can see the range of information provided on the
web-based PC solution.  It provides information on key components, as
well as software licenses and peripherals:

Belarc Advisor
"Free Personal PC Audit"
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

BellManage
http://www.belarc.com/belmanage.html

Now, since you may want to find other companies providing similar
products to see what else is available, a relevant Google search
strategy is to search for:
"Belarc Advisor"

then, click on the "Similar Pages" link, where you can find similar
companies.  Unfortunately, none seem to provide exactly the same
services as the Belarc product.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA

---

Request for Answer Clarification by manchester-ga on 26 Feb 2004 13:15 PST

Hi Omnivorous

I've looked at the two links you provided.  The first is - as you
imply - not suitable for my needs, and the second lists a product that
costs a minimum of $5000.  Rather too expensive for a firm of our
size, and obviously intended for larger users as the minimum number of
clients allowed for is 250.

Is there any more searching you can do on this, please, based on the
criteria set out in the question?   While it's always useful to have a
personal recommendation, neither suggested option is workable for a
firm of our size.  I have used the "Similar Pages" link as you
suggested, but that just brings up a selection of 22 more or less
random sites, and I'd hoped for a personally-sorted list which would
avoid the need for me to do the legwork myself!

---

Clarification of Answer by omnivorous-ga on 26 Feb 2004 16:42 PST

Manchester --

That's too bad that the Belarc enterprise product's too expensive
because I really like their single-user product.

At any rate, what you're looking for in a Google search would be:
"asset tracking software"

Here's an extract of what you can find, each package with some unique capabilities:

Asset Expert -- web-based, with bar code interface
http://www.asset-expert.com/

Tally Systems -- includes management of software suites
http://www.tallysystems.com/products/TSCensus/index.html

STOP Asset Tracking -- includes labels and software
http://www.stoptheft.com/assets.htm

Easy Assets -- based on Microsoft Access database
http://www.hallogram.com/barcodes/software/easy/

AbsoluteTrack -- monitors changes in users' configurations
http://www.absolute.com/public/products/absolutetrack/default.asp

Virtual Asset Manager 2004
http://www.netsimplicity.com/vam/assetman.asp

QuickTrack V -- a Macintosh-based solution
http://www.peninsula-group.com/quicktrackpro/


You may also find this Business.com directory of IT asset management
categories helpful, as it extends to topic to include lease management
and management of mobile resources:
Business.com
"Technology Asset Management Services"
http://www.business.com/directory/computers_and_software/computer_services/information_technology_it_services/technology_asset_management_services/

I hope that this is more helpful in pinning down a solution!  If not,
don't hesitate to ask for a clarification before rating the answer.

Best regards,

Omnivorous-GA