Is your organisation or company battling to effectively manage and keep account of its ICT assets? Then perhaps it's time to consider a real-time asset management solution - one that provides up-to-the-minute information relating to an asset's location within a building, as well as an inventory of its hardware and software. Your cost centre controller, IT department and department heads will thank you for giving them back total control.
Melissa Jacobs, Product Manager at Powell Tronics, is eager to spill the beans on the latest innovation of asset management: “The solution gives you real control over your company's movable and non-movable assets.” When asked to simplify 'how', she enthusiastically outlines the basics: “There is a Web interface which your cost centre controller can use to access the software management tool. Individual readers with antennas are connected via the network (cable or WiFi) to determine range. Each movable and non-movable asset is then assigned an RFID tag that then communicates with these network readers for the purpose of signing assets in and out of your building. Should an asset not be signed out before the user exits the premises, an SMS and/or e-mail alert will be raised.”
And then there are additional features - like the value-added benefit of an inventory control application. Installed on all of your computers, this application will effectively manage each device's software and hardware inventory. Jacobs explains: “While the software inventory is hard at work managing the number of software licences, prohibited software, and removed software for each user, the hardware inventory is busy scanning all hardware on the computer. In fact, it will send an alert if there are any changes to its hardware signature - including external plug-ins, eg, USB HDD”.
Taking this a step further, I ask Jacobs what would happen if memory is removed from a computer. “Well, an alert will immediately be sent to your cost centre controller (just one of many great features). Ultimately, our aim with this cutting-edge solution is to not only give IT departments effective management of ICT assets, but to empower department heads by giving them total control,” says Jacobs.
With the aim of ring-fencing the solution, Powell Tronics is currently in testing phase regarding its integration to the Impro Access Control system. This add-on module will include the functionality of not allowing users to leave the premises unless an asset has been properly signed out. The interface works in an SQL environment and should be ready for release at the end of Q2, 2012.
For more information, please email melissa@powelltronics.com.
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