What Product model class and/or Asset class would be best practice to track computer carts, wall mounts, monitor mounts, etc?

[Katie Meadows]

I'm setting up Model Categories and Assets/Product Catalog items for IT inventory. I created a Model Category of Furniture & Utilities because I couldn't come up with a better name. I chose the Product model class of Facility Model and Asset class of Facility. It works but I feel like there should be a better option.

They are not consumable as we reuse these items. Some of them have serial numbers and get asset tags such as the computer carts. The monitor and wall mounts do not have serial numbers or get asset tags BUT are, again, not consumable. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

Thank you,

Katie

[Dan O Connor]

I think your on the right track. When it comes to Asset tracking there are some categories that won't be available OOTB for various reasons. Generally OOTB models and types are ones that can link to the CMDB.

But as you say, there is plenty of Asset types that might need to be tracked, but won't be autopopulated by a CMDB. So you can name it what makes sense to you and your situation. 

Consumable is a pretty popular category folks will make. Remember that you can link assets together, so for example a common one would be say where someone wants to track like mice and keyboards, they link them to an Asset in computer, which in turn has an owner.

So that might be useful when it comes to say monitor arms or wall mounts. They are housing monitors or TVs, and assuming you have them also in Asset you can have the Device as the parent, with the peripherals as the child. Lets you keep a nice track of where things are and being used. 

If I was being picky I'd maybe do your breakdown (from what you've shared) as

- Display Mounts 

- Computer Carts 

Then create a model type for each in the categories (Model type is the brand or spec of each product)

When your done, then link them to a parent.

Display Mounts -> Display Devices. 

Computer Carts - > Computers.

If they arn't in use, you just put them to that in their state, or mark them as in stock.

Hope that makes sense and helps. Can do up some example screenshots if you want, let me know 

[Katie Meadows]

Thank you Dan!

All of this was extremely helpful and reassurance that I'm working/thinking on the right track is even better. I like the idea of adding peripherals and mounts as children to the parent computer device but realistically our organization isn't there yet. It's baby steps for the time being and just keeping track of what we own would make me ecstatic.

Katie

[Dan O Connor]

Glad I could help 🙂 

[michal tech]

Inventory control, also called stock control, is the process of work from home ensuring the right amount of supply is available in an organization. With the appropriate internal and production controls, the practice ensures the company can meet customer demand and delivers financial elasticity.

Successful inventory control requires data from purchases, reorders, shipping, warehousing, storage, receiving, customer satisfaction, loss prevention and turnover. According to the 2017, almost half of small businesses do not track their inventory, even manually.