Starting a fresh IT Inventory, recommendations?

[elliot-w]

We're starting a fresh IT inventory at work which will include all our equipment (e.g. Laptops, desktops, cameras, iPads etc), just wondering how everyone else does it?

 

We've always used a spreadsheet up to now but a quite simple one, so if anyone has a example of theirs or if you guys use any specific software thats good at keeping inventory records please do share!

 

Thanks in advance!

 

Elliot

[sparkeh]

Spiceworks!

 

Will inventory most network attached devices and can be used for manual entries. Also its a helpdesk, network monitor and other stuff besides.

 

And its free!

Edited February 26, 2015 by sparkeh

[Arreks]

We kind of use 2 things, we have a detailed spreadsheet which holds all sorts of information - devices, host names, IP addresses, licenses etc. The first page of the spreadsheet is a menu and links to the relevant other pages (Desktops on one, Software Licenses on another).

 

We also have The Dude up on a big screen to map out the main devices.

 

Spiceworks!

 

We used to use Spiceworks but recently stopped using the inventory part of it because it's the most awful thing and should be set on fire.

[fiza]

Spreadsheet built up over time - updated manually. Cant justify the cost of the auditing software such as School Asset Manager | The only complete asset management solution for education

[sparkeh]

We used to use Spiceworks but recently stopped using the inventory part of it because it's the most awful thing and should be set on fire.

What version was that. Latest version has really made some improvements (I agree that it went a bit 'wonky').

[elliot-w]

Spiceworks!

 

Will inventory most network attached devices and can be used for manual entries. Also its a helpdesk, network monitor and other stuff besides.

 

And its free!

 

Thanks for all the quick responses there much appreciated.

 

 

Think i'll look into Spiceworks and see how it goes seen as though it's free.

 

Besides that ill have to spend ages in Excel (the bane of my life) making up a new spreadsheet.

[Arreks]

Thanks for all the quick responses there much appreciated.

 

 

Think i'll look into Spiceworks and see how it goes seen as though it's free.

 

Besides that ill have to spend ages in Excel (the bane of my life) making up a new spreadsheet.

 

 

Also worth checking out https://github.com/zag2me/php-inventory made by a fellow EduGeek member.

[kennysarmy]

MS Database

 

Queries can then be run to find out all manner of information.

 

Each item we hold is in our master database which has column headings such as:

 

Type - ie IWB, PC etc

Access - Staff or Student

AreaID - which cabinet any networkable item is connected to

Location

Department

Model

Serial No.

Price

Supply Date

Warranty Length

Notes

Checked Date

Asset No.

[mb2k01]

For inventory we use a program called Inventoria. The free basic one is OK, but the cost of the full version is cheap and gives additional users etc.

While we don't actively use the section ourselves, there is also a nice order request / authorisation section in there too which might be useful for your internal teams

[JRowley]

Excel spreadsheet populated from data pulled from an SCCM query, very simple to setup. Other things like projectors and smartboards which aren't necessarily networked are done manually. Very easy to keep up to date.

 

 

We did use Spiceworks but it was pretty clunky, plus getting it to work with every piece of kit reliably is a pretty big job.

Edited February 27, 2015 by JRowley

[Gatt]

OCS Inventory NG | Home and GLPI - Gestionnaire libre de parc informatique for me.

[mthomas08]

Spreadsheet built up over time - updated manually. Cant justify the cost of the auditing software such as School Asset Manager | The only complete asset management solution for education

 

Bringing up an old topic.

 

Does anyone use this and how have you found the customer Support????? There is a bit of politics going on at the moment about agreements that were made are now being denied. I will go in to more details soon.

 

Bad/Good I would like them all.

[Hawkeyez]

Bringing up an old topic.

 

Does anyone use this and how have you found the customer Support????? There is a bit of politics going on at the moment about agreements that were made are now being denied. I will go in to more details soon.

 

Bad/Good I would like them all.

 

Be interested in this, as had them come in, and are under consideration.

[pcstru]

Schools Asset Manager : We are starting to use it for IT stuff. Their support is good. The software is a little clunky in some respects, our spreadsheets are quicker to manipulate especially when you want to do stuff in bulk but I guess what we lose in speed we gain in rigour.

[JRowley]

We had them come in but the price was wildly above what we were prepared to pay. In addition research suggested their mobile app which they advertise as a key feature was extremely slow to retrieve data for assets.

[localzuk]

We're in the middle of a trial of SAM. Its head and shoulders better than our old solution.

 

It has to survive for use as a PAT testing database also, and be easy/quick enough to use for our site manager (so it doesn't get in the way but instead helps him).

 

I'm liking it so far. The software has a few failings, but there's no such thing as a perfect piece of software.

 

The mobile app works well - quick to load records for us (we've got 2000+ assets on there and a scan is near instant to return a result). Only slow bit was loading the data on a new iOS device - had to sync about 6 times total, taking about 10 minutes. On Android, the app loaded the whole lot in one sync in about 45 seconds.

[mthomas08]

Much appreciated, we are currently going through a very bad moment so we kind of needed ammo.

[skell]

We use Lansweeper. It even picks the serial numbers off the monitors connected to the PC's...

 

£600 for the year.

[pickman]

another SAM here. Just swapped from parago. Got to redo the asset over summer but should be quite easy with the app.

 

Also use the simple helpdesk with it.

[elliot-w]

We had them come in but the price was wildly above what we were prepared to pay. In addition research suggested their mobile app which they advertise as a key feature was extremely slow to retrieve data for assets.

 

How much did they quote you? As i've had a quick look over there website etc and it seems to be good, but if the price is extreme then its just not worth it I dont think.

[psydii]

SAM: Saw an online discussion about their practices, and then a week later caught the premises manager about to sign up and stopped it. Highlighted the nasty notice period and renewals statement and flagged it to the FD, head, deputy head and their PA.

 

Result: Contract sent of, with the cancellation letter. Registered post and emailed.

 

No idea how the end of contract term actually went, but with terms like they'll burn through enough good will to see them almost out of business in a few years (unfortunately there will always be some who don't get the memo/ don't read the small print).

 

 

What do I use for asset tracking? SysAid, with a little bit of work it can even be used to track loan equipment.

[localzuk]

Can you elaborate on those terms @psydii?

[psydii]

By accepting the trial, you commit to a 12 (or was it 24, I can't remember) month contract at full price, unless you cancel within a week before of the end of the trial. Additionally you need to give three months notice at the end of the 12/24 month contract otherwise it rolls over for another 12/24 month term.

 

In the small print.

[localzuk]

Ah, yeah. That all seems reasonable to me! 3 months notice isn't that bad. The 30 day/7 day notice thing is a bit odd but hey, not every company is the same.

[localzuk]

Just read through our trial agreement, so will clarify something. The trial can be cancelled at any point during the 30 day trial period, not a week before. You only need to give telephone notice to end the trial also.

 

The contract length is up to you. There's discounts for longer contracts. There is a 3 month notice period to cancel your contract, in writing to them. Not entirely sure why, as its just a web service. It isn't an unreasonable notice period, but it does make some alarm bells ring.