Hardware Inventory

What computer hardware details about should be collected during the hardware inventory process in a company LAN?

First of all, the inventory software should record vendor, model and serial number of each computer in the company. Some of the PC's will not have a model or a serial number since they were built from different parts of no-name vendors, but all they have a main board or chassis serial number that can be detected programmatically.

Then, of cource, you should write down processor type and name, RAM memory size installed and hard disk drives size and model. In some cases the model of the PC's video card can be also important. Please also add information about the peripheral hardware attached to the computer: printer or MFU if any, display adapter, external modem and other peripherals. You should collect not only make and model for those hardware items, but also their serial numbers: this will allow you to identify hardware in the case of unauthorized component change by an employee, and also in the case of the technical support issue or warranty services if a device will get out of order.

Obvoiusly, it is absolutelly impossible to implement the above by hands in the case of the middle- and large-sized organization. Instead, that company should use a software product that performs that for it automatically. Please check the Asset Tracker for Networks product and find out how does this software help you do the full hardware inventory in your organization.

Next article: Inventory Program