IT Asset Management (ITAM) - Global Survey 2022-23

Results of our 2022-23 Global ITAM Survey

Our first (2021-22) survey looked at the current state of ITAM in organisations and showcased how they need to change their focus and investment priorities in governing IT assets to reflect the changing technology landscape, and more specifically, newer ways of licensing hardware and software.

This landscape has continued to evolve, perhaps even faster than we had ever imagined, amid increased uncertainty and complexity in the business and macro-economic environment. This has further elevated the demands and aspirations from ITAM teams from a widening range of stakeholders in most organisations that participated in the current survey. The objective, as earlier, has been to align better to strategic opportunities that would help maximize value from IT investments, this time with a much stronger desire for advancement and getting tangible results.

Our key findings are grouped into five categories:

ITAM maturity and inability to develop fit-for-purpose operating models

Despite growing desire and maturity, most organizations acknowledge their failure to establish an appropriate level of capability and a fit-for-purpose ITAM framework and operating model amid a complex and rapidly changing business, regulatory and technology environment.

Multiple facets of the cloud

Rapid adoption and evolution of multiple facets of the cloud is increasingly impacting multiple aspects of ITAM with only some organizations starting to respond with help from their employees. Data security continues to remain a major area of concern, primarily due to challenges in ensuring shared responsibility between the cloud service provider and the user organization.

Cyber security alignment

The lack of cyber security alignment is now considered the greatest concern for ITAM. Respondents believe that lack of visibility of IT assets and weaknesses within existing ITAM tools possibly represents the greatest limitation that organizations face in achieving better alignment with their IT security teams.

Green IT and other sustainability considerations

This is an emerging area as respondent organizations increasingly aspire to elevate their vendor relationships and collaboration levels in the spirit of a win-win relationship that goes beyond merely being able to negotiate contractual terms better.

External assistance and FinOps

Delivery of managed services and other forms of external assistance in ITAM are rapidly evolving to ensure efficiency and culture of collaboration, mirrored by the rise of a FinOps culture in organizations.

Results of our 2021-22 Global ITAM Survey

In 2021-22, we ran the first iteration of our ITAM Survey. It showcased how organizations need to change their focus and investment priorities in governing IT assets to reflect the changing technology landscape.The report’s main findings were as follows:

Current state of ITAM and associated risks

Survey respondents recognize the increasing complexities of ITAM amid pressure to reduce costs. We believe these twin forces will drive an increased focus and investment in ITAM over the next two years and accelerate the organizational journey to increase maturity in this area.

Leadership and organization

ITAM teams acknowledge the critical need to leverage board support and drive proactive engagement in alignment with key organizational stakeholders, including IT, procurement, finance, risk management and other key functional teams, to maximize value to their organization.

The future of ITAM (organizational positioning, people and technology)

The survey reveals that organizations need to maintain an ongoing focus on automation supported by appropriate ITAM staff and leverage external assistance smartly to upgrade them to decision-making roles in the near future.

Vendor management and collaboration

This is an emerging area as respondent organizations increasingly aspire to elevate their vendor relationships and collaboration levels in the spirit of a win-win relationship that goes beyond merely being able to negotiate contractual terms better.