Designed to address the numerous issues plaguing professionals in managing hardware assets, the IAITAM Certified Hardware Asset Management Professional (“CHAMP”) Course follows the lifecycle of IT hardware assets beyond the scope of the cradle to grave analogy and discusses the business practices that can best be used to manage those assets efficiently and cost-effectively. Emphasis is placed on identifying the policies that enhance lifecycle management. In general, policies are only effective if developed by a cross-section of the impacted departments, are reviewed frequently to remain current and are consistently communicated and enforced.

There are so many ways that Hardware Asset Management can benefit the organization. In today’s economy and the reduction of IT budgets, finding those savings are more important than ever. Organizations that had never heard of asset management are now educating their staffs and implementing the business practices in order to maximize every dollar spent. The best measure of success for the Hardware Asset Manager is capturing these savings and showing the percentage of total IT hardware budget that was freed up to fund other projects in the organization.

Designed to address the numerous issues plaguing professionals in charge of Hardware Asset Management, IAITAM’s Certified Hardware Asset Management Professional (CHAMP) course follows the life-cycle of IT hardware assets and discusses the business practices that can be best implemented to manage these assets efficiently and cost effectively. Emphasis is placed on identifying the policies that enhance life cycle management.

Probably one of the least developed processes for asset management in the past, disposal management has received a great deal of attention in the last few years, thanks to online auction sites, the growth of a secondary usage market and the EPA’s activities that are drawing attention to the environmental issues. The process for disposal begins with the determination that an asset is no longer of use to the organization. Once this determination is made, there are a number of avenues to pursue and a number of pitfalls to avoid. As with any business issue, an analysis of the costs and benefits must be undertaken to determine the best choice for the corporation. It is recommended that the programs chosen for disposal be supported by policy due to the potential financial and public relations backlash from an environmental issue.

There are many ways that Hardware Asset Management can benefit an organization. With the volatility of today’s economy and the reduction of IT budgets, finding savings is more important than ever. Organizations that have never heard of IT Asset Management are now educating their staffs and implementing business practices in order to maximize every dollar spent.