Without an asset management database software system, you could be costing your business a lot of money. Your business owns assets such as furniture, computer equipment, or software. How do you keep track of these assets? Do you know if a repaired computer system is in use? Or did your staff get rid of it and buy a new one? Where is the old system?

A good database for asset management system answers all of these questions. It helps you to gain control over your assets so that you can make better decisions. Here are some of the items you can manage with asset management databases:

1. Manage your licenses with a database for asset management system.

2. Control your inventory with inventory asset management software.

3. Gain control over your fixed assets with fixed asset management software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use software asset database to manage your licenses

Chances are your business has contracts and licenses from various vendors. For example, you may have software licenses from Microsoft Office or Adobe. You need a software asset database system to manage those licenses. For example, you can obtain crucial information, such as how many employees are using the application. Then you can decide whether it is worthwhile to renew the license or let it expire.

I recommend: You’ll want to look at Symantec’s Altiris Asset Management Solution. This asset management system software will ensure your business is in compliance with the vendors. Hewlett Packard’s AssetCenter aims to help you cut down costs and make better decisions when it comes to managing your licenses.

Employ inventory asset management software to manage your inventory

Whether you own a large or small amount of inventory, you should not be without an asset management database software system. You'll want to track information on your assets' lifecycle. For example, the asset management database software system can show you when you purchased the asset, when it required repair, if it's still in use, or whether it is retired.

I recommend: Tracker Systems’ inventory software asset database application enables you to break down your assets into sub-assets. You can also store images and attachments to each asset. NetSuite’s inventory software asset database system helps you keep your costs down.

Consider using fixed asset management software

Do you need an asset management database system to manage assets you plan to have long-term? Consider investing in a fixed asset management system. This kind of asset management database system helps you calculate the assets' depreciation. Fixed assets can consist of computers, furniture, and capital equipment.

I recommend: Sage Software makes database for asset management solutions that you can easily install, tailor, and use. The company’s DB asset management system will work with small or big companies. You can use IntelliTrack to label your assets with unique bar codes. Use your PDA (personal digital assistant) or PDT (portable data collection terminal) to capture and transfer your assets’ data into this DB asset management system.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure you purchase a technical support license with the asset management database developer. Think of this as insurance. If your database application goes down, the company can help you get the system back up and running.