Manage Quantity of Low-Value Assets (ITAM)
The Hidden Cost of Overlooking Small IT Assets
Every organization tracks servers, laptops, and software licenses—but what about the small tools employees use every day?
Webcams. Headsets. Keyboards. Mice. Cables. Docking stations.
These “low-value” items often slip through the cracks, yet they’re critical to daily productivity, especially in a hybrid workplace. When ignored, they introduce silent inefficiencies: wasted budget, broken onboarding processes, avoidable support tickets, and piles of unused gear in storage closets.
The problem isn’t just that they’re overlooked—it’s that no one is responsible for managing them strategically.
Why These Devices Deserve Attention
Labeling something “low value” doesn’t mean it’s low impact. A missing USB cable can delay a new hire. A broken headset can tank a client meeting. Multiply that across hundreds or thousands of employees, and the problem scales fast.
Without structure, organizations face real challenges:
Devices go missing during offboarding
Items are reordered unnecessarily due to lack of visibility
Employees purchase unauthorized accessories
Support teams spend hours handling avoidable issues
Inventory piles up, creating compliance and waste problems
And when every employee has $100–$200 in peripheral gear, these small items add up to a significant chunk of the IT budget.
A Smarter Way to Manage the “Small Stuff”
So how do you bring structure to these often-ignored devices?
It starts with visibility. While some peripherals—like networked monitors or Bluetooth devices—can be automatically detected with tools like Universal Discovery, others (like USB headsets or analog accessories) need a manual process. Intake forms, QR codes, and barcode scanners can help capture inventory at the point of issuance.
Next comes organization. Track each item by type, model, warranty status, user, and location. Connect this data to your configuration management system so you can see which peripherals are assigned to which users or devices.
Then, create standardization. Develop pre-approved onboarding kits that include key peripherals. Use workflows within your IT service management system (such as SMAX) to automatically issue and record these assets during new employee onboarding.
Lastly, build out return and retirement processes. Ensure that when employees leave or devices break, there's a simple system in place for returns, refurbishments, or responsible disposal. This keeps your inventory lean, reduces environmental impact, and maintains audit readiness.
The Payoff: Cost Control and Better Support
Let’s say your support team flags a spike in headset requests. A quick look at your inventory data reveals that headsets weren’t included in onboarding kits, and many employees didn’t know how to request replacements.
The fix? Add headsets to standard kits and build a self-service peripheral request catalog. Within weeks, ticket volume drops. Reorders slow. Employees get what they need without delays or improvisation.
Small changes. Big impact.
Final Thought: Don’t Let the Details Drag You Down
In today’s workplace, the tools that seem insignificant can quietly shape your team's productivity—and your IT budget.
By managing peripherals with the same care given to laptops or software, you reduce waste, improve user experience, and gain control over an area that’s long been neglected.
At RealIT, we help organizations bring clarity to every corner of their IT environment—including the ones hiding in plain sight.