From identifying assets that have a plan of action or need a plan, to viewing and refining existing Insights, to taking a proactive approach in assessing your client’s infrastructure environment, the hardware console is where you can access information about every managed hardware asset within your organization. This article walks you through discovering, managing, and utilizing the Hardware console to its full potential.
Accessing the Hardware console
To start making the most of the Hardware console:
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Open the hardware console:
- Click on Assets and then click All Hardware located on the Top menu of Lifecycle Manager. This action takes you directly to the Hardware console where all your managed hardware assets are listed.
Discovering and managing your assets
The Hardware console is a dynamic platform for comprehensive asset management.
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Centralized asset information:
- The console displays critical information for each asset, including asset type, model, age, purchase date, and warranty expiry dates. This data is crucial for assessing the lifecycle status of each asset and planning appropriate actions.
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Multiple data sources:
- Asset data within the Hardware console can originate from various sources, ensuring you have an accurate view of each asset’s history and current status.
Customizing the asset list views
To tailor the Hardware console to meet your specific monitoring and management needs:
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Configurable columns:
- Customize the console view by selecting the columns most relevant to your needs. You can display or hide details like purchase dates, which can inform decisions on renewals or replacements.
For example, you can include the Purchased column in an information query, such as renewal information and expiration dates, allowing you to create multiple initiatives based on the information provided. The addition of the Purchased column may show some assets older than agreed-upon asset replacement standards. So you might create two Initiatives: one Initiative for asset warranty renewals and a second Initiative for asset replacement.
Proactive asset management
Leverage the Hardware console for strategic asset management:
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Insight integration:
- Utilize the console to refine existing Insights or develop new ones based on the comprehensive data available. This proactive approach aids in addressing potential risks and enhancing a client's infrastructure's resilience.
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Initiatives for asset management:
- Identify assets that are part of ongoing Initiatives or that need to be added to Initiatives from the client hardware console. For example, you might start Initiatives for warranty renewals or for replacing assets that no longer meet the agreed-upon standards.
Detailed asset analysis
Deepen your understanding of each asset:
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Detailed information access:
- Clicking on an individual hardware asset within the console enables you to view detailed specifics, such as warranty information, coverage options, and the data source for each asset.
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Sync and integration details:
- Review details on how asset data is synchronized, including instances where device names might not be available, ensuring you're working with the most complete data set possible. This also includes assets where synced devices have no name data.
Sharing asset information
The Hardware console also facilitates collaboration:
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Share asset details:
- Easily share details of specific assets with coworkers directly from the console, enhancing teamwork and ensuring everyone is informed about asset statuses and plans.