Unpacking the Benefits: Core Asset Management vs. HAM and SAM in ServiceNow

In the fast-paced world of IT, managing assets effectively can make or break your organisation’s efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Understanding the differences and benefits between IT Service Management (ITSM) Core Asset Management, Hardware Asset Management (HAM), and Software Asset Management (SAM) within ServiceNow is crucial for getting the most bang for your buck.

IT Asset Management in ServiceNow: Understanding the Components

Let’s kick things off by breaking down the key components:

ITAM (IT Asset Management): The all-encompassing term for managing IT assets, including hardware and software, throughout their lifecycle.
ITSM (IT Service Management): ITSM is all about organising and improving how an organisation’s services support its goals by effectively managing incidents, problems, changes and requests. The core asset management capability within ServiceNow ITSM enables an organisation to do basic management of assets without much automation.
HAM (Hardware Asset Management): Zeroes in on automating the lifecycle of hardware assets from request to retirement, improves the quality of asset data using a content service that harmonises models, expands on the mobile capabilities of core asset management, and provides a centralised workspace for all things hardware.
SAM (Software Asset Management): Focuses on better managing your software spend by automating the reconciliation of what you’ve bought Vs what you’ve deployed – can lead to significant dollar savings, the content service will provide lifecycle dates and harmonise your data, and a centralised workspace will pull it all together.

Core Asset Management: The Foundation

Core Asset Management, which is part of the ITSM license, offers a solid starting point for managing IT assets within ServiceNow. It covers the basics like creating asset and model records, creating transfer orders to move stock between stockrooms, creating purchase orders to fulfil catalog requests, and some mobile capability for users to request and view assets assigned to them.

Benefits of Core Asset Management:

Centralised Management: One platform to rule them all – managing IT operational services and assets in the one place is an easy sell.
Improved Data Quality: Configuration Item (CI) and Asset records will be kept in sync via model records and business rules meaning your operational (CI records) and your financial and contractual (asset records) information will remain in sync throughout the lifecycle.
Process Improvement: If you have local stockrooms with hardware gear you’ll be able to track them and transfer them between stockrooms. If you have activated the Procurement plugin you’ll have Purchase Order capability available to help you fulfil requests for hardware and software from your service catalog. Using the delivered Now Mobile app your end users will be able to request new gear and view assets that are assigned to them.

HAM: Elevating Hardware Management

But let’s be real – while ITSM’s core asset management capabilities are a good starting point, they’re basic and require manual handling when a lot of organisations tend not to have a full time asset management team.

Hardware Asset Management (HAM) takes things up a notch by focusing on automating the lifecycle of assets. From request to retirement, HAM is packed with advanced features to automate and optimise hardware management processes.

Benefits of HAM:

Lifecycle Automation: Makes the whole hardware lifecycle a smooth ride, from request to retirement with out-of-the-box flows for each lifecycle event based on industry leading practices. From hardware request, to replenishing stock with a bulk stock order, managing zero touch refresh programs, to disposal, HAM has you covered.
Improved Data Quality: Uses a content service to boost the accuracy and completeness of your asset data from manufacturer to model name and number – the resulting consistent data set is much easier to manage.
Process Improvement: The Hardware Asset Workspace will give your team a 360 degree view of your fleet with important calls-to-action, the increased mobile capability available via Now Mobile will allow your users to formally receive an asset by scanning a barcode, and the Agent Mobile App will enable your asset team to also receive assets, perform stockroom audits and perform disposal scanning.
Enhanced Compliance: Hardware audits will be simpler as you’ll have the data at your fingertips as to where your assets are located and who has them – tracking down missing gear will be easier as you’ll know where it last was and who had it. You’ll be able to track and manage disposal certificates and other compliance-related documentation like a pro.

HAM’s advanced automation and data management capabilities make it a no-brainer for organisations looking to up their hardware asset management game.

SAM: Mastering Software Management

Software Asset Management (SAM) helps organisations get a handle on what software they own, whether they are buying what they need, whether they are using what they own, and whether they are prepared for an audit.

By comparing software purchasing data from procurement systems, with software deployment records from discovery tools, a clear and actionable license position can be established and remediated.

The value proposition for SAM is appealing with the potential for substantial savings on license costs by controlling software sprawl.

Benefits of SAM:

Licence Optimisation: Provides insights into software usage, helping avoid having too many licenses or getting bill shock from a true-up because you don’t have enough.
Cost Control: Can help automate the reclamation of unused licences, cutting down on unnecessary additional software spending.
Improved Compliance: Ensures you’re playing by the rules of your licensing agreements, reducing the risk of audits and penalties. SAM will leverage your contract data to compare the licenses you’ve bought with what you’ve allocated and deployed. You’ll also get visibility into software purchases or deployments that are not in line with your IT Procurement Policy.

Start Implementing ServiceNow IT Asset Management Today

If you’re not fully leveraging the comprehensive IT Asset Management capabilities, you’re missing out on some serious savings and operational efficiencies. ITSM Core Asset Management, HAM, and SAM are all part of your ServiceNow toolkit, just waiting to be implemented to streamline and supercharge your asset management processes, and ensure every dollar spent on assets is used wisely.

Why Choose ActionHub?

At ActionHub, we’re the ITAM gurus you’ve been looking for. Our team of certified experts gets the complexities and challenges of managing IT assets in today’s fast-paced environment. We can help you deliver a comprehensive, integrated solution that simplifies ITAM, provides clear visibility into your assets, and helps you achieve tangible cost savings.

Ready to elevate your IT Asset Management game? Look no further than ActionHub. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you streamline your ITAM processes and maximise your investment in ServiceNow.