Tracking Peripheral Inventory (Monitors, Docks) Without ITAM Software

This guide presents a repeatable peripheral inventory tracking process for detecting, logging, and auditing hardware using shared registrars, PowerShell/WMI discovery, and lifecycle integration with device management. Such a process allows smaller MSPs and IT enterprises to improve inventory accuracy without needing a full ITAM platform.

📌 Prerequisites:

Before we begin, make sure you have:

• Access to a shared asset register (Google Sheets, SharePoint, etc.)
• Basic PowerShell scripting capability
• Ability to export device-level inventory from RMM tools (such as NinjaOne)

These basics allow you to collect data, record it in a central location, and tie it back to the devices you already manage.

Step 1: Discover peripherals via PowerShell & WMI

You can’t track what you don’t know. In this first step, you need to discover peripherals through WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation). We will use PowerShell to make your search query much easier.

Monitors

1. Open PowerShell.
2. Run the following command to pull connected monitor details

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root\wmi -ClassName WmiMonitorBasicDisplayParams

💡 Why you need this: It will show the manufacturer, size, and display parameters.

3. If you want to gather serial numbers, execute this command:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root\wmi -ClassName WmiMonitorID

💡 Why you need this: Serial numbers uniquely identify monitors, helping you avoid duplicate records.

Docking stations

1. Open PowerShell.
2. Execute these commands, as needed:

Surface docks

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root\wmi -ClassName SurfaceDock_Info

💡 Why you need this: This provides DockSerialNumber, DeviceName, and FirmwareVersion.

Dell docks

Use Dell’s VMI provider or Dell Command | Monitor tools.

1. Open PowerShell.
2. Execute this command:

Get-CimInstance -Namespace root\dcim -ClassName DCIM_DockingStation

💡 Why you need this: Vendors expose dock information differently. Using the right WMI namespace ensures accurate results.

Full monitor script

Community scripts (like Get-Monitor.ps1 on GitHub) can automate discovery.

1. Open PowerShell.
2. Execute this command:

.\Get-Monitor.ps1 -ComputerName <Target>

💡 Why you need this: Community scripts like this (available on GitHub) save time by wrapping all the WMI queries into one reusable command, especially useful for scanning multiple devices at once.

Step 2: Document peripherals in a central register

Discovering peripherals is only the first half of the job. To make that information useful, you need a place where your team can store and track it over time. That’s where a central register comes in. Think of it as your “master list” of all monitors, docking stations, and other add-ons tied to client devices.

The key is to keep the register simple and consistent, so anyone on your team can update it quickly without extra training. A spreadsheet format works best for most MSPs because it’s lightweight, easy to share, and universally understood.

Here’s a sample schema you can use:

This central register gives your team a single source of truth for assignment, lifecycle, and audit tracking. Some common tools include Google Sheets and SharePoint, which allows real-time updating so everyone in your team can easily update and review this table.

💡 Tip: To ensure that only authorized users can change this table, follow a privileged access management standard or build a robust credential management strategy.

Step 3: Integrate peripheral tracking into lifecycle processes

Once your peripherals are logged, the next challenge is keeping that information current. The best way to do this is to tie peripheral tracking directly into your normal device lifecycle processes. That way, recording peripherals isn’t an afterthought, but becomes part of your asset lifecycle management.

How to do it

• Provisioning: When assigning a laptop or workstation, scan and record all attached peripherals (monitor serials, dock IDs) in the central register.
• Decommissioning: Before retiring or recycling a laptop, cross-check its record in the register. Update the status of peripherals, and reassign or reclaim them as needed.

💡 Tip: Embedding tracking into lifecycle events means technicians don’t need to remember “extra steps.” It also guarantees peripherals are always accounted for, even during high-volume onboarding or offboarding.

Step 4: Conduct regular audits

Remember that tracking peripheral inventory is not a one-step process. It requires regular audits to ensure accuracy. Audits help you confirm that what you think you have matches what is actually in use.

For most MSPs, quarterly reviews strike the right balance: frequent enough to catch issues early but not so frequent that they become a burden. If you’re just getting started, a semi-annual audit can work too.

During an audit, you’re not only checking the register against reality. You’re also uncovering opportunities to reclaim, reassign, or retire unused equipment. This keeps costs down and demonstrates accountability to clients.

How to do it

• Review the register on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.
• Identify unassigned or missing assets (peripherals not linked to a device or user).
• Flag inactive peripherals (devices not seen in months).
• Trigger follow-ups with users or onsite teams to retrieve, redistribute, or retire assets.

💡 Tip: Treat your audits as part of client-facing service. Sharing audit results in quarterly business reviews (QBRs) proves that you’re actively protecting their investments and minimizing waste.

Best practices for peripheral inventory tracking

Here is a quick reference table you can use when training staff or checking your workflow. Feel free to add more rows as needed.

💡 Tip: Keep this table visible. Pin it in your documentation or post it in your IT team’s workspace. Having a quick reminder helps everyone stay aligned on why this work matters.

Automation touchpoint example

Automation doesn’t necessarily entail buying a full ITAM tool, though it is a good idea to understand the basics of IT asset management. It can mean using scripts and scheduled tasks to reduce repetition in your day.

For example, you can schedule PowerShell scripts to run across endpoints, collect, monitor, and docking station data, and feed it directly into your register. From there, you can cross-check assignments and flag anything that looks unusual. Over time, this builds a powerful picture of how peripherals are being used, and it all runs in the background.

Here’s what a simple automated workflow might look like:

1. Run PowerShell discovery scripts across endpoints to collect, monitor, and dock metadata.
2. Consolidate results into the shared peripheral register.
3. Cross-reference with user/device assignments, and flag orphaned or unassigned hardware.
4. Generate quarterly stats on unassigned units, aging assets, and replacement needs.
5. Use findings in QBRs or operational audits to prove accountability and highlight cost savings.

How NinjaOne can help with peripheral device management

NinjaOne, the automated endpoint management platform, can help you build a stronger peripheral device management strategy. Its hardware inventory exports, custom fields, and reporting features give you an easy way to extend the process outlined in this guide without adding extra tools.

For example, NinjaOne’s hardware inventory exports simplify identifying the host devices with which peripherals are attached. Instead of manually matching serial numbers, you can directly link monitor or dock entries to the laptops and desktops NinjaOne is already tracking.

You can add custom tags or notes in NinjaOne, such as “Peripheral-Tracked.” This lets you quickly group devices during audits or reviews, making it easy to see which endpoints are included in your tracking program.

Finally, you can take advantage of NinjaOne’s IT Automation. By running your PowerShell/WMI discovery scripts through NinjaOne, you can pull monitor and docking station details from all managed devices and consolidate the results into your central register automatically. This keeps your inventory current while reducing manual effort.

💡 Tip: If you already use scheduled scripts in NinjaOne, you can push your discovery scripts directly to endpoints. The results feed back into NinjaOne, giving you a constantly updated picture of peripherals across your environment.

Tracking and maintaining an IT peripherals list

Peripheral inventory tracking doesn’t require complex tools. With a few PowerShell queries, a shared register, and regular audits, you can keep monitors and docks fully accounted for. This simple process saves costs, improves accountability, and gives clients confidence that every device is tracked.

Related topics:

• What Are Peripheral Devices?
• IT Asset Inventory: Definition, Management, & Best Practices
• Hardware Inventory Reports
• Hardware Inventory Details