MattDLEA Posted January 6, 2016 Posted January 6, 2016 I have searched and most threads on here bring up either software inventory or pc inventory. Sort of spiceworks or open-AudIT Im not a fan of Spiceworks. What I am after if possible is some software that I can assign Electrical Items too. At the moment we have a paper folder with all the assets in and to be honest its a bit of a mess. I have created a spreadsheet that has a tab for each different room in school and then just put in the computer, laptop, projector, cameras in to there. Which is just like and electronic version of the folder. Is there a better system out there thats free/open source or am I going to have to look at building something.
hallb15 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 I'm also looking, although we also want a Helpdesk for site issues. I already use Spiceworks for IT related stuff and SLT want something similar for the site team. I've not managed to find a free product that's suitable. We've had a demo from Every which is a brilliant product and has lots of other features but may be a bit over the top for what we need and a bit over budget.
RichCowell Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Not heard of any free ones that I can recall, I've used School Asset Manager (School Asset Manager | The only complete asset management solution for education) for a few years now and it's been great, support has been fantastic too, not that I've needed it often... There's also School Audit too (School Audit by InVentry - School Asset Management for Education) which is worth checking out...
RLR Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 We use Parago. I've not used any thing else so can't really compare but it seems quite good. They have IOS and Android apps to scan/audit rooms quickly. 1
Joanne Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Using Parago here. Does the job just nice. You can deploy an agent to get all the deets of your machines too.
dapaulio Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 Problem with these types of software it does way too much than is required. I tailor made my own database for inventory using the serial numbers on the back of computers etc. Works like a charm.
timbo343 Posted January 25, 2016 Posted January 25, 2016 NetSupport seem to do a good system however its not free, i think you need the DNA software.
sister_annex Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 I wrote an access based inventory for us... easier and cheaper than the paid for stuff and does purchase tracking, life cycling and equipment disposals (doesn't do software tracking however) we use spiceworks for helpdesk and thats it... the two are not linked but we have no need for this
Joanne Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 We went with a paid for solution for insurance purposes. It was all the SBM who sorted this out, now I manage it. Just check where you stand on insurance with home-grown solutions.
mthomas08 Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 We use School asset manager, not perfect in regards to editing multiple items like a database but it does it's job.
PyROm Posted January 26, 2016 Posted January 26, 2016 I wrote our own in PHP/MySQL as other did too much. Gets hardware spec/software/sometimes serial number via WMI calls. As its web based I load web page up on my phone and walk round with Bluetooth barcode reader to do audit checking.
MattDLEA Posted January 27, 2016 Author Posted January 27, 2016 Where do you guys get your asset tags from had a google and they seam expensive
GRitchie Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 Currently I just use a spreadsheet with as much information as I can. Then just a simple Brother P-Touch for the asset tags. Looking into an asset management system myself as I imagine it will help to keep track of things. Especially with the iPhone scanning capabilities.
hallb15 Posted January 27, 2016 Posted January 27, 2016 We currently use a brother label printer too. Nothing fancy but it does the job and is a step up from sheets of laser labels!
mrhcarlin Posted February 1, 2016 Posted February 1, 2016 Apologies for the hijack, but are there any barebones systems out there to keep track of hardware inventories with maybe a mobile scanning app or something? We just want a system that will tell us where a piece of kit is, who has it (if it's a laptop or tablet), how old it is, etc. No need for software inventories or license details. I want to scan a barcode of a piece of hardware and tell the system that it's in room 2B.
MattDLEA Posted February 1, 2016 Author Posted February 1, 2016 Apologies for the hijack, but are there any barebones systems out there to keep track of hardware inventories with maybe a mobile scanning app or something? We just want a system that will tell us where a piece of kit is, who has it (if it's a laptop or tablet), how old it is, etc. No need for software inventories or license details. I want to scan a barcode of a piece of hardware and tell the system that it's in room 2B. Have a look at SnipeIT ... It maybe what you are after but there's some good features on there. Unfortunately I couldn't get it to work on my VirtualBox so am in the process of writing something bespoke
mrhcarlin Posted February 1, 2016 Posted February 1, 2016 Funnily enough SnipeIT was the first thing I came across this morning, but it didn't seem like they had a mobile app for scanning etc. It looks decent otherwise so I might just have a play anyway (the beauty of open source!) 1
DGardiner Posted February 3, 2016 Posted February 3, 2016 Thanks for the parago recommendation, that software looks pretty good! shame the sales person who just called was probably the most pushy i have ever had to deal with ever... and didn't seem to like the fact i did not wish to see a consultant or arrange a meeting... i wanted some indicative pricing to check it was entertain-able within the budget before i waste everyones time... then be ranted at about the merits of seeing CFO/Business Manager as it is more than for IT! then told me a price anyway... and then started on about budget/implementation deadlines Why does everyone think that everything is budgeted and planned for? [/rant]
hallb15 Posted February 3, 2016 Posted February 3, 2016 Thanks for the parago recommendation, that software looks pretty good! shame the sales person who just called was probably the most pushy i have ever had to deal with ever... and didn't seem to like the fact i did not wish to see a consultant or arrange a meeting... i wanted some indicative pricing to check it was entertain-able within the budget before i waste everyones time... then be ranted at about the merits of seeing CFO/Business Manager as it is more than for IT! then told me a price anyway... and then started on about budget/implementation deadlines Why does everyone think that everything is budgeted and planned for? [/rant] That's interesting as we've just had a demo in school here and I would say the opposite. They have been great to deal with on the phone, not pushy in anyway. The guy that came today was very knowledgeable about the system, gave a good demo and answered all mine and the SBM's questions very well.
DGardiner Posted February 3, 2016 Posted February 3, 2016 That's interesting as we've just had a demo in school here and I would say the opposite. They have been great to deal with on the phone, not pushy in anyway. The guy that came today was very knowledgeable about the system, gave a good demo and answered all mine and the SBM's questions very well. Its good to hear that its not the norm... I'm actually happy to see a demo as it will save a lot of time , but I'm not going to waste other peoples time if the price is stupid from the start and never going to happen - it however seems fairly priced
hallb15 Posted February 3, 2016 Posted February 3, 2016 Its good to hear that its not the norm... I'm actually happy to see a demo as it will save a lot of time , but I'm not going to waste other peoples time if the price is stupid from the start and never going to happen - it however seems fairly priced I would have the demo, and make sure all the interested parties are present as it will make it easier for you to 'sell' it to the powers that be, if they are there to see it in action and ask any questions they may have. Pricewise, its about in the middle of what we've seen so far. We were very impressed.
DGardiner Posted February 3, 2016 Posted February 3, 2016 I would have the demo, and make sure all the interested parties are present as it will make it easier for you to 'sell' it to the powers that be, if they are there to see it in action and ask any questions they may have. Pricewise, its about in the middle of what we've seen so far. We were very impressed. Yeah, ill be speaking with the relevant people soonish to see if its of interest since the price is in a nice area and simply licenced
GeekyPete Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 Would anyone like to give an indication of their costs for School Asset Manager, School Audit or Parago? We're a small special school so budgets are tight. I'd like to know if it's a non-starter before I spend any more time on it.
psydii Posted February 12, 2016 Posted February 12, 2016 (edited) Watch out for SAM. They build in auto-renewal terms that are pure evil(*). (typically a school forgets to cancel after the trial and is forced to pay for three/five years. Then if they don't cancel at the t-3month break point, they get hit with another three/five year renewal) That said, if you don't have an asset management system, SAM is a reasonable product, so the renewal terms might not be a problem since you might want to keep it anyway. Their sales people are slippery, and their contracts have been adjusted to make it look like they are giving you fair warning. BUT their evil terms remain the same. (*) Urban Dictionary: pure evil Edited February 12, 2016 by psydii
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