Gartner defines artificial intelligence applications in IT service management as tools that augment and extend IT service management (ITSM) workflows using AI. These analyze ITSM data and metadata (primarily found in ITSM platforms) to provide intelligent advice and actions on ITSM practices and workflows, such as IT service desk and support activities. This software can either be a stand-alone product, capabilities within an ITSM platform or an add-on to an ITSM platform.
Hardware asset management (HAM) tools are needed within a technology asset management strategy to oversee hardware visibility, manage life cycles, optimize costs and reduce risk. HAM tools are software applications and technology used by organizations to manage the life cycle of different hardware assets, including IT, line of business and facilities management — regardless of location and industry.
Gartner defines IT service management (ITSM) platforms as software that offers cohesive workflow management and automation for organizations to plan, deliver, support and improve integrated IT services. ITSM platforms provide a system of record for ITSM practices, including request, incident, problem, change, knowledge, service level and configuration management. Typically offered as SaaS, ITSM platforms are also available for on-premises deployments as per organizational needs. ITSM platforms are key tools used to manage IT support issues and aid employee productivity. IT leaders require robust ITSM platforms to drive business value in the services they provide, and are increasingly looking for these products to support digital business transformation outside IT. By capturing, tracking and reporting on service-related activities across the estate, the platform acts as a coherent system of record for ITSM-related actions. ITSM platforms boost infrastructure and operations (I&O) teams’ efficiency through automating processes, streamlining decision making and providing seamless integration with third-party applications. As organizational needs grow, advanced multichannel support features enhance the end-user experience, helping IT services remain agile and aligned with business goals.
Software asset management (SAM) tools aim to decipher the complex and ever-changing world of software licensing. Organizations now have a diverse set of SAM tool requirements to meet. Core capability of SAM tools include discovery, normalization, reconciliation, optimization and reporting. SAM tools are third-party solutions that provide some level of automation to support tasks required to produce and maintain compliance with independent software vendor (ISV) license use rights. SAM tools provide organizations with a means to manage software throughout its life cycle and centralize the view of software within the organization. SAM tools provide data on software utilization, identify over deployed and under consumed licenses, reharvest and reallocate licenses, track renewals and financials for purchased software, and proactively identify software misconfiguration. SAM tools offer integration with third-party tools, and can provide out-of-the-box reporting capabilities and produce management dashboards. The reporting and dashboards recommend areas for optimization.