Although network inventory documentation isn’t the most glamorous task, it is essential for the success of any IT department. According to Steady Networks, “Workers spend about 22 minutes each day dealing with some type of IT issue.” An accurate network inventory can greatly reduce the time it takes for internal IT to identify and solve issues. Since documentation can be tedious and time-consuming, professionals rely on network inventory documentation tools to streamline the process.
What is network inventory documentation?
Network inventory documentation is the process of tracking and recording all devices and IT assets that are connected to a network. An accurate network inventory can provide valuable information to assist with many day-to-day processes, such as troubleshooting, management, IT visualization, budgeting, and more.
How do you manage network inventory?
To manage your network inventory, you need to have an inventory system set up. A couple of steps that every basic network inventory management system has includes:
1) Set up a network inventory spreadsheet
A network inventory spreadsheet, or list, will give you an idea of what IT assets are currently on your network. You can begin by listing the IT inventory that you know is on your network, then searching for additional assets on the network.
2) Find additional network inventory
Large IT infrastructures require active and passive tools to find and identify all the inventory on a network. Active tools automatically scan a network for new inventory while passive tools monitor the current inventory.
3) Update your network inventory
Your network inventory is always changing. New devices, software, hardware, and other changes to IT assets on the network should be reflected in your network inventory spreadsheet.
As you can see, managing network inventory takes time, especially if you have a large IT infrastructure. Although smaller businesses might get away with using a single spreadsheet for network inventory documentation, internal IT departments and MSPs require a more efficient and scalable system. Fortunately, there are plenty of network inventory documentation tools that streamline the process to make it quicker and easier.
6 best network inventory documentation tools
The two types of tools that are used for network inventory documentation are network monitoring and management tools and IT documentation tools. You can use these tools separately or in unison to gain insight into your network inventory.
While IT documentation tools are static views of imputed information, network monitoring and management tools provide a live view of a network. This live view allows users to see the current network inventory at any time. Take a look below to see some of the best tools on the market for network inventory documentation.
Network monitoring & management
-
NinjaOne
IT asset management software from NinjaOne allows users to automate IT asset discovery and management. It provides a live view of your network inventory at any time and allows you to track asset changes with ease.
-
Auvick
Auvick provides a secure, cloud-based network management system that can be used for any network at any location. It illustrates exactly how a network is configured by showing where every device is connected.
-
PRGT
PRGT offers a network monitoring solution that monitors all IT assets on a network and displays relevant information in charts, maps, and other visuals. It’s scalable software that works for organizations of all sizes.
IT documentation tools
-
Hudu
Hudu is one of the most popular IT documentation tools on the market, and it can be used for network inventory documentation. It organizes information into formats that are secure and easy to share within departments.
-
IT Glue
IT Glue offers IT documentation tools that integrate with other applications. It’s a fast, powerful, and scalable solution that can be used for many kinds of IT documentation, including network inventory documentation.
-
Passportal MSP
Passportal MSP’s documentation management system offers standard templates, relationship mapping, and other tools to make IT documentation fast and simple. All information is stored in a centralized location, allowing departments to share and access it quickly.
How to choose your network inventory documentation tool
As you search for network inventory documentation software, there are multiple factors to consider. Business Daily’s guide to choosing the best tech solutions advises considering the five following factors when searching for tech solutions: user experience, evolving capabilities, accessibility, security, and customer service.
Before choosing a network inventory documentation tool, think about how each tool will benefit your department. If you require a live view of your network, then a network monitoring and management tool, such as NinjaOne’s IT asset management software, is a great option. If your department uses static documentation to manage network inventory, then an IT documentation tool is the better choice.
Conclusion
Gain clear insight into your network and IT assets with accurate network inventory documentation. Discover all the benefits that NinjaOne’s IT asset management software provides for internal IT departments and MSPs. Sign up for your free trial today.
