Asset Management

Asset Management For Web Developers

When building large scale database driven web applications which require the development effort of numerous individuals and interoperating teams as well as networked access to a central repository of assets in the form of PHP code, HTML documents, images, source code, media files, and documentation it can help to organize the workflow by keeping track of data and intellectual property assets using specially designed asset management software applications that allow for a meta searchable database of digital media and a check in/check out system to allow multiple designers to work together without doubling up on the same task.

Asset management software isn't just for enterprise class development anymore. SOHO users will find software such as Canto Cumulus asset management software to be scalable to even the needs of a small design house with only 3-4 developers.

No matter what kind of web development you are doing, proper asset management is key to an organized workflow, especially on projects that depend on numerous individuals and teams and requires the document to "change hands" and allow for the scrutiny of the entire team during every phase of design and development.

Asset management solutions allow for a more disciplined approach to portfolio cataloguing and media library organization, which can help developers contemplate their creative palette and visual media assets more thoroughly and completely when selecting templates and production from the company's supply of IP.

If you find that your design team is having trouble maintaining a manually organized library of content and intellectual property and you want to have a library witch allows for rich meta tagging and highly organized searching and browsing, you should research investing the time and effort into setting up an asset management solution for your company today! The time and effort you put into an asset management system today pays off ten fold through more efficient workflow and library management.

Source: Free Articles

Author: hunter

What is 'good' Asset Management?

Sphere: Related Content

Asset Management is the management of physical assets (their selection, maintenance, inspection and renewal). Asset Management is the art and science of making the right decisions and optimizing these processes.

The different asset classes are stocks, bonds, real-estate and commodities.

Infrastructure owners have used ‘Asset Management’ to describe the caring for, making best use of, physical plant, infrastructure and facilities. (Interpretation of British Standard Specification PAS-55)

PAS-55 highlights the need for performance-accountable asset-business focus. Asset Management system is how an organization delivers its business goals with a clear picture of how and why business intentions are converted to ground reality.

PAS 55 defines Asset Management as “Systematic & coordinated activities and practices through which an organization optimally manages its physical assets and their associated performance, risks and expenditures over their lifecycles for the purpose of achieving its organizational strategic plan.”

How does a company get there? How do we know, and demonstrate, what is ‘optimal’? How can responsibility be established? How do we develop the skills, tools and processes to establish and sustain such an environment in the first place?

Industrial process, utilities and service companies have, over the last 5 decades developed greater specialization in niche functions. The effect of this has been to create more and narrower silos of contribution – design, construction, operations, maintenance, human resources, finance etc.

At senior management levels, the adoption of an “Asset Management” model has been interpreted to mean a new mix of functional responsibilities (new silos?):

- Asset ‘Owners’ – dealing with regulators and other stakeholders - Asset Managers – decisions on direction and strategy - Service Deliverers – work resources & methods

This emphasizes the need for directional thinking (what is worth doing, where, when and why), not just delivery efficiency (doing the same thing quicker, cheaper). ASAP Systems has 20 years of experience in Inventory Control Software and Asset Management Solutions.

Inventory Software & Asset Management

ASAP SYSTEMS

Asset Management FAQs

Sphere: Related Content

Although asset management has been around for some time now, its popularity among industries has only been apparent in the last few years. People do have quite a number of questions regarding asset management especially if they are interested in employing the services of asset management companies.

What is asset management?

Asset management refers to the method that a company or a specialized asset management firm uses to track all fixed assets such as equipment, chairs, tables, computers and technology and even building which are owned by a company or an individual. The tracking of he physical location of these assets, the ways which can be used to manage these assets, and accounting for amortizations, depreciation values and future resale values of these assets are also part of asset management.

How can asset management be an affective financial tool?

Asset management makes it easier and more efficient to manage the assets owned by the company or the individual and looks into ways of investing these assets for added returns. Collective investment schemes, pension funds, private banking and wealth management are some of the ways which handle assets that make asset management more efficient and increase one's assets.

What are the processes involved in asset management?

Asset management involves a number of processes which are all designed to increase the productivity of companies or individuals. Asset management services include planning, procurement, accounting for daily operating costs through disposal; tracking physical location of these assets; and accounting tasks such as amortization and depreciation. Asset management also establishes contact with suppliers which make it easier for companies to contact these suppliers for service, warranties and replacement.

Why is asset management useful?

When one keeps track of important information regarding one's assets, assets may be properly accounted for, from whom these were purchased from; who uses these assets, where these assets are located, the suppliers to contact for support, and even lease expirations and the right disposal period may provide the basis for managing and optimizing the assets of the companies or the individuals.

Asset Management provides detailed information on Asset Management, Asset Management Software, Asset Management System, Digital Asset Management and more. Asset Management is affiliated with Offshore Asset Protection.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole

Asset Management 101

Sphere: Related Content

When one is interested in knowing how asset management works o benefit their companies, it is very important to get to know how asset management really works. This includes the services that asset management employs to handle assets, the costs of utilizing asset management services, the available software designed to manage assets, even t the qualifications of certified asset management advisors.

It is very important to know that the asset lifecycle has four broad stages that asset management firms take into consideration. Planning and procurement, including carefully considering which to procure, ordering these and even receiving and testing these are salient features of asset management. Managing the daily operations of assets enabling companies to maximize productivity is also an important feature of asset management. Knowing how much it costs to operate the company and comparing it to the profits and the existing assets make for balanced returns and even more commonly returns to the part of the companies.

Ensuring accurate tax and paying for these on time is also one of the ways which companies consider an attractive option rendered by asset management. Depreciation, amortization, and other costs are also some of the costs that asset management accounts for, also valuable in increasing productivity and returns. Asset management also aids in the proper disposal of assets in ways that comply with environmental rules and regulations.

There are also various tools widely available for asset management. Would be users are advised to be aware that asset management is basically a process and these tools are just elements which may help asset management be more feasible. Ideal asset management process differ from one organization to the next, this is because each institution is unique having their own needs and objectives. IT asset management services keep inventory, track hardware and software assets including licenses and management technology in asset procurement.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alison_Cole

Research for Asset Management Do's and Don'ts

Sphere: Related Content

When you are trying to manage other people’s assets, there are things that you must and mustn’t do. Asset management is a very tricky job, since it involves having to go through sometimes private details of the person’s life.

Asset management research doesn’t have to be for other people. It is far easier to do asset management research for yourself. To begin with, you will have no qualms whatsoever in getting your own details together.

Asset Management Research Tip 1: Understand the Scope

The very first challenge for a researcher in asset management is to understand not just your goals for conducting research, but also the scope under which you are allowed to operate. Avoid taboos from the very beginning by inquiring the degree of penetration that you can have as far as the pertinent information are concerned. This is very crucial because it will dictate the depth of your research. The purposes of the research must also come to mind: is it to confirm existing sets of research or to start entirely from scratch? These questions may seem minor but they are important to having a productive set of research.

Asset Management Research Tip 2: Make an objective inventory and update it

When you are trying to make an inventory, make sure that it is updated. The inventory will help you show what’s there to begin with. Having an inventory is a handy tool that will help you address the issues that might come up in an individual’s asset management program. Remember that it is usually on a case to case basis, and what might work for one may not necessarily be as effective for another. The objectivity in inventory is also important for it will be a good basis of facts only if it is not selective in nature.

Asset Management Research Tip 3: Deal only with the recent sources

The recent sources will tell you the present state. This is the very first thing that you have to inspect and incorporate in your research. If you have to backtrack more for establishing credibility, read the next tip.

Asset Management Research Tip 4: Observe past circumstances as well for patterns

Patterns may only be found from past recurring experiences. Now, if you are after some intense research on asset management, trailing the past will also be as effective. Pair the findings of the past with the present situation and know its implications for your overall efficiency as a researcher.

Asset Management Research Tip 5: Have a working set of recommendations

The purpose of research is not just simply to report what’s out there. It will also be helpful if there are solutions offered in form of recommendations. Researching for asset management is not just about outlining a list of things that are present in one’s asset bin. It also involves giving the initial directions under which effective asset management may thrive.

Asset Management Research Tip 6: Be flexible for changes that may happen

Research will not tell everything, especially if it is just preliminary research. Changes may still be introduced. A new event may actually challenge your assessments. While there is a limit to editing research works, you may have to design your research in such a way that it will accommodate changes as they come along.

Physical Asset Management

Sphere: Related Content

Physical asset management is the practice of effectively using the physical assets of the company. Many companies have an in house department taking care of that but in some cases, an outside party is called in to help them out.

For this to work, the team has to know first hand the assets of the company. To prevent duplication, it should point out the depreciation value and the utility in the process of production. This process is better known as cost analysis as this will increase economic life and reduce component failures such as the incidence of theft and mistakes in the procurement of supplies and equipment.

It can also assist management in tax planning and forecasting business solutions which could save the company millions of dollars.

For instance, production suffers if machines break down frequently. This is normal if the machine being used is already old. The company can try to repair it but if the cost is much higher than a brand new one, then perhaps they should try to sell this at a reasonable price then use the money to buy a new one.

The same goes if a company has hundreds of stores and only a few of them are making a profit. Since the unprofitable ones are not really bringing in revenue, perhaps it will be a good idea to close them.

This is something that a lot of companies are doing now due to rising costs of fuel and the economic slowdown. Rather than filing for bankruptcy, they would rather slash a few thousand jobs and close down stores. Some companies that have done so include Starbucks, American airlines, JP Morgan and a lot more. The other option is for some companies to merge just to stay afloat.

The bottom line is that physical asset management gives the company an idea as to what they actually have. This will prevent them from missing out on opportunities which they could have jumped to when this presented itself.

One way of keeping track of the company’s assets instead of doing it by hand is by investing in asset management software. This will allow those in management to gain access to it whenever it is needed via the company’s intranet.

This can be done by bar coding everything similar to what is done in the supermarket. This will enable the in house team to just scan the item which not only increases accuracy but helps to save time on repeated inventories.

There are four stages which make up the physical asset management cycle.

First is planning and procurement. Here the company sees what is available and then assess what is needed. They will look at various suppliers and then buy the machine that is affordable and efficient.

In the second stage, those who use it have to use the equipment in order to maximize its productivity.

Third, is called financial management. Here, the company will see if it was worth getting the equipment. It also includes ensuring accurate tax, depreciation and other costs.

Fourth is disposal. If the machine is obsolete, it has to be replaced in compliance with environmental regulations.

Companies will be able to practice effective physical asset management by following the life cycle. Sometimes tough decisions have to be made in order for the company to survive.

Online Asset Management Software

Sphere: Related Content

There is no doubt that asset management software is needed in today’s environment. But what if you want to communicate with others offices? For that you will need to invest in an online asset management software system.

Online asset management software is connected to an enterprise wide network or the Internet by embedding special equipment that will allow maintenance personnel to track the functioning of the equipment in real time. Thus, you are to perform preventive maintenance measures and quickly take action when there are breakdowns. This also enables the company to manage their inventory from any location by using the web browser.

To give you an idea, here are some examples where online asset management software can be used.

Since this can be accessed remotely, it can help information technology personnel monitor the hardware and software installed on the enterprise network. Advanced versions of these applications can also help managers control the hardware and software applications on the servers.

Even advertising and media agencies have joined the bandwagon. This is because it helps the people in these companies automate the process of maintaining, marketing, publishing and viewing their multimedia gallery or store.

As for software product development companies, they can use this electronically distribute or manage the digital products they have developed.

On the human resources level, the online asset management software will help the HR department to track employee performance, manage talent and even identify star performers. This can also be used when they go out and attend job fairs so resumes can be stored.

Finance companies also use this so their clients are able to track their own financial assets especially stocks and mutual fund investments in real time. All the customer has to do is log in and then get the latest status on their assets.

Once a company has fully integrated the online asset management software, it will be easy for the various departments to talk to each other. It can detect the installation of unlicensed or unauthorized software, enhance helpdesk security and generate reports so this can be viewed and printed.

Asset management software provides analysis of data, which helps company to make new strategy plans for cash flow, helps in the finest utilization of resources, and in turn increase the productivity of the company.

You can find online asset management software online. Most of these will allow you to download their program for a 30 day trial and then you have to buy it to continue using it. When you are shopping for it, compare their features and the price. Don’t forget to read product reviews and blogs because how well it has performed or not has already had been tested by various users.

When you have found the right online asset management software program, make sure that those in the company are trained how to use it. This will prevent problems later on when data is sent back and forth.

Asset management even if it is now available online is still the process of designing, implementing, planning and maintaining the company’s assets. These include everything from infrastructure, plant, property, and human resources. Being able to access this from a remote location is just another way of checking on things if you are out of the office while you are out of town or out of the country.

How to find a good asset management program

Sphere: Related Content

Setting out to find someone who can help you invest your money can oftentimes be nerve-wracking. After all, this person will be handling your finances and in a way will be holding your life in his hands. This is especially true with people who are about to retire and have no other means of income but the money that they have saved over the years. But no matter how frightening it can be, the fact is, you need asset management in your life if you want to remain problem-free for your entire life.

You see, the money kept in the bank is not enough to finance a comfortable retirement. With such a measly interest, all it can give you is small change that can perhaps last you 3 months when you don’t have other income. Inflation rates and rising cost of living is enough to knock down the value of your money in the future.

But finding a good asset management program and personnel is not always the trial that people say it is. When done right, you can actually get for yourself a good deal with a trustworthy manager that will help you triple or quadruple your assets. Here are some tips that can help you.

1. Shop for it

Do not just settle for the first one that you saw. Look around and compare notes. Get as many as you can and then choose from the line up. That way, you will not be pressured to take one program or hire one person even if you don’t really trust it or believe in it.

Looking for a good asset management program is like shopping for a doctor when you have a terminal illness. Think that you are looking for someone who can save your life. And when you come and think about it, finding a good one is actually kind of like saving one’s life. After all, your entire future will depend on the performance of this one person and the effectiveness of the program.

2. Ask around

One way to find a good asset management program is to ask people about it. Believe it or not, it is that simple. You see people who have also gone through the same motions will know where to look and will even have tips on how to look.

You can also ask for recommendations. Have them give you the number of the asset management manager that they hired. Start with your friends and families. They will surely know people who they can refer to you. If you know successful people in business or those whose financial portfolio you admire, go right ahead and ask them for referrals. Their asset manager should be really good.

Once you get their contact numbers, call them. Ask about the person’s accomplishments and track record as well as the number of years that he or she is working for your acquaintance. Set up and appointment and get to know the guy (or gal) in person. That way, you can see for yourself what his personality and attitude is in business. Do the same thing with other referrals and then choose the best.

3. Never trust completely

Never put your trust in one person even if he comes with great recommendations. Even if you have hired him or her already, still take an active part in the management of your assets. It is good that you also know what is going on with your money.

Free Asset Management Software

Sphere: Related Content

Can you get asset management software for free? The answer is yes but there only a handful of them around. Whether it is free or not, it is truly something that companies need in order to prevent duplication. While most vendors sell these to companies, those who are unsure whether the system will work for them can avail of free trials which can be used for a short period of time.

If your company has an information technology department, then chances are they can probably make one on their own. However, not everybody can do that so you better read on to know which ones are giving this out for free.

One company that comes to mind which offers free asset management software is SysAid. You can download the freeware from their website and then use it. The only limitation is that their program can only work for organizations that have less than a hundred computers. If you are happy with their system, you can buy the full product by submitting your details then a company representative will get in touch with you.

Another company is Footprints. You can download their asset management software program for a 30 day trial period. Afterwards, you have to pay in order to continue using their services.

But asset management software can be used for others things than just monitor the inventory of a company.

It can help guide management’s decision in dealing with non-profitable assets. If there are certain offices that are not making money, it is best to just close it even if it means cutting a few jobs from the workforce. If there is surplus, the company can convert this to cash by selling these off to potential buyers. Also, if the current equipment is already outdated, there is reason to upgrade this to something better.

One other aspect of asset management software is its ability to catalog music, videos and pictures. Technically, such data are assets of the company and these are better known as digital asset management systems because everything is encrypted digitally.

This will enable the user to get this based on the format of their choosing. Some sites that offer this users are YouTube and Multiply. But this could not be possible without the media, entertainment and advertising agencies that first used this as they needed to archive their vast video library.

It is forecasted that more companies will utilize asset management programs in the future. But those who decide to invest in such a system should remember that it is merely a tool that is to help the company. Somebody has to be trained how to use it so this can be accessed by every department via the intranet.

Are asset management software applications only for large companies? The answer is no because there are versions for personal users. These may be hard to find so it is best to just stick with web based applications.

The chances of getting free asset management software are very slim. But aside from the two mentioned, there are others to choose from so if you are in the market, it is best to look for these online. It is best to read reviews and blogs that are written about them or see it for yourself by trying the free trial version first before buying the program.

Asset Management Software: the Secret of Efficient Businesses

Sphere: Related Content

Naturally, all businesses need to manage their physical and non-physical assets regardless of their size. Call centers, manufacturing firms, sales companies and other corporate offices need asset management. Everything needs to be watched from the point of choosing the assets, initiating and maintaining them, up to the point of finding no use for them and disposing the assets.

All these processes are important in determining the efficiency and organization that goes into running a company. Without making the right choices for asset management software, many disadvantages may be posed to the optimization of profits and to the business in general.

Using Software in Businesses

First of all, the assets we're talking about here is virtually anything the company owns from office supplies, company vehicles and machines to copyrights and patents. What this software does to these assets is that they keep a record of them for the company. After all, these such assets do depreciate over a certain period of time and need to be disposed of when their full potential has been marginalized.

The company doesn't need to hire people to keep track of maintenance and replacement schedules, resulting in too much people on the payroll and more expenses to slough off money on. With asset management software, you can be sure that your assets are in mint condition and are replaced efficiently when they need to be.

Once you have the software, the only manual thing you have to be doing is to run the asset management program and make sure that all assets are accounted for and all damages are reported to the respective people in charge. More importantly, in the event of emergencies that cause certain losses in assets, the company will have a detailed report of what they own and what they lost, all organized by the protocols of the software.

Specialized Software Available

There are three common kinds of asset management software being used in the business world today. Automated data collection software is used as a time log of all processes involving the assets. Inquisitive software is responsible for checking out IT systems, codes, hardware systems, software and other digital assets. Repository software has the more clerical type of job in that it archives and organizes data files for easy access, uploading and retrieval.

Making Choices through your Options on Asset Management Software

Before you begin browsing through the different kinds of software available for your company, the first thing you need to ask yourself is if the company needs it. Are certain processes being held up because of delays in maintenance and repairs? Do you find that there are discrepancies in the way certain assets of the company are being managed? If so, then you can try your hand at investing in this type of software.

There are some aspects that you may need to be looking into when you decide on it. How much does the software cost, and is it worth it or will you end up spending more than if you have people manually managing assets? What kinds of services do you need the software to be doing for your company?

How many people in the company will be running the asset management program? Is it available for international use or is it limited to local usage? With the answers to these questions, you will be able to find the asset management software that is perfect for optimizing the business processes in your company.

What is Asset Management?

Sphere: Related Content

What is asset management? It is the investment management of collective investments often offered as a service by portfolio or wealth managers within the context of “private banking” to private investors. Its aim is to provide maximum returns at minimum investment or cost to the client.

The first priority of any asset management team is to identify the company’s assets or resources. The definition of asset can be anything owned by the client in terms of cash, property, goods, savings and investments.

Should this be in a commercial set up, assets will comprise of monetary investments, plants, infrastructure and its human resources. When this has been identified, the team will then check which one is profitable and what isn’t.

If an asset is doing well, then they will leave it be. Just like the line that goes “ if there is nothing wrong with it, why fix it?” However, if a certain asset is not profitable, the asset management team may present options to the client. Should this asset be sold or can this be made into something money generating.

An example could be after evaluating the machines used in the factory, the team will give their assessment if this should be repaired or if this should be replaced. In some cases, buying something new will save the company more money in the long term because you don’t have to worry about looking for spare parts that could already be hard to find.

But these are just tangible resources. Every client also has non-tangible resources that are namely the human resources of the company. People are considered to be non-tangible because the company does not own them but merely employs them.

If there are inefficiencies in the company, this can be addressed by managing it so things can change. The team needs to first study the various departments and the individuals before it is able to come up with an action plan. It is possible that some of the positions are redundant while some need more manpower. The team may recommend reducing personnel in one department to fill the need of another or totally scrap it.

Aside from improving their skills, they can also provide other things such as comfort level and security as this motivates people to work harder once a policy has been made to maximize the output of each employee.

Apart from checking on the assets, the team may also offer opportunities to the client so that their money will grow. For instance, he or she may recommend investing in certain things such as the stock market, oil, gold, bonds and other things of value.

There are many asset management companies out there who have the expertise to help you become more efficient. If you are interested in getting their services, you should do some research to find out if they do have what it takes to achieve your goal.

So what is asset management? It is a process that involves looking at the various things that the company has as well as the people who work there. If the client is able to listen to the inputs of the asset management team and follows everything, there is a good chance that the company will continue to grow which simply translates to profit.

What do Asset Management Companies Do?

Sphere: Related Content

What do asset management companies do? These companies take care of the investments of a client by investing in various schemes.

There are a number of asset management companies to choose from given that they offer a wide range of services. Some examples of these include financial investments, production machines, technology and even office furniture and supplies.

When we talk of financial events, this includes the tracking, recording, properly accounting and investing of certain assets so the client will be able to make the most of what they currently have. This is may at times be risky for the client but there are ways to avoid that. These schemes are namely fixed income, equity, balanced, money market and commodities. Let’s discuss these for a moment.

Fixed income investments are those that will generate a regular flow of income for the investor. This is the safest one around and this is usually in the form of government bonds.

Equity has some risks involved because no one has control of the stock market. There are various factors that could make it go up or down such as the performance of the company and other world events. To prevent losses, experts have to study the market, assess the ricks and volatility to pick which one will get the best possible returns. Equity schemes can be done regardless of industry or country so don’t feel bad if the US stock market is not doing too well.

Then there is also balanced where the mutual fund company will invest in several assets such as shares, bonds and stocks. The risks are higher here but it may soon pay off in time especially for those who decide to wait it out for a few years.

The money market includes trading treasury bills, commercial paper and other liquid securities. You get a certain amount each month because of interest. Safer than equity or balanced but the rate of return is much lower.

There are also commodities. Examples of these include gold and other precious metals as well as the most talked about issue right now, oil.

Before any decision is made, it is the job of the asset management company to do some research and then pass this on back to the client who will say yes or no.

If new equipment is needed, the asset management company will help the client look around for the best possible one around before buying it. This is very useful when the machines are either damaged or already outdated.

These services begin the moment they are hired by the client so they will be there from the planning stage all the way until the deal has been completed.

Asset management companies have been around for years and you just have to find one that will be able to deliver what you require of them. Before you select one, do some research on your own to see who are the clients and what have they done in the past because you surely don’t want to entrust your assets just to anyone who gives you a call.

So what do asset management companies? They help you accumulate wealth by using their expertise. Do you need it? Yes because they are the only ones who can do the job.

Things about Asset Management that you need to know

Sphere: Related Content

Asset management seems like a fancy term for people who are not much into investing and into business but the truth is, it is something that every people need to survive the rising costs of living and inflation rates.

The concept is actually similar in a way to putting the money that you earn in banks but the difference is, asset management makes use of stocks, mutual funds, properties and bonds to further increase your wealth and assets. You see putting your money in the bank is not enough. You can only do this for the money that you feel you will need during emergencies. You can put it there and let it earn a small interest, after all you can easily withdraw It when you need it.

However, for the extra money that you have that you don’t really need, invest them. Mutual funds, bonds and stocks yield higher rewards than the measly interests that banks’ provide. In just a few years, you can earn half of what you invested, something that you can’t do with the bank.

But before you get into asset management and hire yourself a professional, read through the items below to help orient yourself to the field of investing.

1. There are a lot of scams and con artists in the world

Money can make people do things that they will not normally do. This is a fact of life that you need to know before you start hiring somebody to handle your assets and properties. That way, you will be more careful when looking for asset managers.

When hiring somebody, make sure that you have done some background check first on the person. As much as you can, hire only those that you know personally. If you don’t know anyone who can handle your finances, ask the people that you know to recommend. Start with your family and friends as they will give you a good recommendation.

But before you hire the guy, set up a meeting first. Even if he or she is recommended by your most trusted friend, you cannot be too sure.

And after you have hired him or her, still take an active part with the investing of your money. Make sure that you are informed about every investment made. Do not give full power to the asset manager to decide on investing issues. Your approval must always be asked before making an investment.

2. Diversify

This is the golden rule that asset managers go by. Diversification means that you need to put investments in more than one product and not in one investment product. The yield can be good but it isn’t worth it to risk your entire savings in one go.

If your asset manager has not done this, think twice before continuing the service. The adage "Do not put all your eggs in one basket" holds true for this field. You see investments can also be very risky. Even those that are considered a surefire success can suddenly fold, leaving you with big losses.

That is why you need to make sure that you have something to fall back on if one investment falls through. If you diversified your investments in asset management, you can still count on your other investments to prop you up on your feet again.

Most Common Problems with Asset Management

Sphere: Related Content

Asset management is replete with issues or problems that arise, regardless of the generation under which you are operating it. The good thing is that many people have already been open to sharing their experiences on asset management, which saves newbies to asset management time and energy from learning things the hard way. Here is a short list of the most common problems pertaining to asset management that every asset manager must know of.

Lack of updates in the evaluation

When there is a bigger team asked to deal with the asset management of the company, sometimes the updates are much more difficult to attribute to. This is because, while there is rotation among the member, some parts may not be covered thoroughly. On the other hand, if too many people are assigning tasks to individuals without the updates specifically communicated among the different members, the updates will be much more difficult to establish.

Miscommunication among departments

This is the most common problem of asset management that involves human factors. The miscommunication can go from as short as missing one decimal place to having questionable discrepancies on file. The miscommunication is a great disadvantage because it involves lack of proper use for the different instruments made available for asset management.

Incompetence to Manage Assets

The technical competence to mange assets is also equally important. If one of the team members has not taken the time to train for the use of the equipment and the dynamics needed by the job of managing assets, the incompetence will results to disasters in the managing of assets. Inventory problems and management issues may arise, and in essence, it is still better to manage with few high quality people than many below average ones.

Lack of Technology Demanded by the Company

For example, you have all the competent people you need. but you do not have the technology that matches their qualifications for doing to job, you are still at a losing end. You may get an above average performance, but it will still be much much better if the technology matches the good skills of the asset management team.

Lack of support

When there is lack of support in any given endeavor, it is bound to fail. The same goes with asset management. The lack of support among departments may not be conducive for positive change and objective or honest inventory of assets. Where there are ulterior motives being satisfied among the ranks, the management of assets may not be as pure or clean as one would like. This lack of support may be remedied by strengthening the ties of the team members via enriching activities.

No balance in asset elements

The balance is the key to perfect asset management. A balance in the different categories and the figures that represent them in the charts are the core outputs of a good management of assets in an organization. A lack of balance means that there are some things that need to be modified, or that some people are out of shape for this activity.

Too little risks taken for growth

When one's asset is much managed, there is also a tendency to eliminate all risks, even when in fact these risks are contributory to the company's growth and yield good returns. Asset management must also involve taking calculated risks.

Lessons in Asset management

Sphere: Related Content

Asset management is a concept that people are oftentimes wary of. Although they do want their hard earned money to beget huge yields and interests, people are not always comfortable with the idea of other people managing their money. Add to these doubts the number of stories circulating of investors losing their money because of companies that have folded during the dot.com boom.

But asset management need not be something that you have to be afraid of. In fact, it can be pretty rewarding financially as you are able to spread your money across different investment products. This is better than putting your money in banks where the yield is not even enough to combat the inflation rates of the currency and the rising costs of living. When done the right way, your money can serve you until your retirement. The trick is to find the right asset investment manager and to get involved in the investing.

Below are some lessons on how to start and survive asset management. Read on before you get into the program.

1. Choose your manager wisely

When hiring an asset management person make sure that you know him or her. If you don’t know anybody who can do it for you, ask for people to recommend managers that are good. Start asking your families and friends as they will give you more personalized choices. When asking for recommendations and referrals, do a little background check first. Ask how many years the person is working for the one who made the recommendation. Ask for his accomplishment and his track record over the years. A good performance for one person may not be good for another.

Do not just be contented with one referral. Get a lot and then compare each one to the other. That way, you can select the person that you feel is the best among the best. When evaluating their expertise, look both on the paper and in person. Remember that these people are very good with charming their clients. So it’s good to base your decisions also on something that is really concrete.

2. Have a say

A common mistake of most people who hire asset management people is once they get someone, they wash their hands off the entire thing. Don’t. Show the guy or gal that you want to take an active part in managing your assets. This will prevent any hanky-panky because they know that you are monitoring your money.

Do not give the full control to the manager when it comes to making investment decisions. The final say should always be yours. So before investing in something, the person you hire should first present you with the background of the investment and if possible show other possible investments that are similar to it so that you will have the chance to compare.

3. Learn the biz

It is not enough that you know what the goings on of the asset management, you also need to understand it. Some people may not give full control to their managers but will sign anything that these managers give them without really understanding what the papers are saying.

Remember that although you have worked with the same person for years or a friend of yours know him personally, he or she can still rob you of your money. Asset management is a risky and cruel business. Make sure that you are prepared to stand guard over your investments.

Industrial Asset Management

Sphere: Related Content

Industrial asset management is the trend these days in order for a company to optimize profits. This is done by exploiting assets to the fullest by taking consideration not only the measurement of assets and resources but also analyzing data, current market trends and quickly taking business decisions based on information collected. In short, you take everything into account to ensure productivity.

This is achieved by first identifying what are the current resources. This could be capital investments or the plant itself. Once it has been identified, it is time to come up with policies that preserve them. Some companies keep track of this by using asset management software that makes the information accessible to all departments.

This program is better known as enterprise asset management systems. It was first developed in the 1960’s with improvements being done constantly so it may encompass all the stages of the asset life cycle from planning, designing, purchasing, installing, operating, maintaining and finally disposing. Customized maintenance management software forms the subset of EAM.

With the assets stored in the company’s server, this will ensure that it is not possible for the duplication of resources. This means not having to spend money on new equipment and supplies when there it is still available in the company’s inventory.

Another benefit of industrial asset management is that the company can focus their energy on non-productive assets. This will enable the company to convert for instance idle land into real estate development or simply get rid of this by making some money out of it.

This is very useful for banks that have confiscated assets which the clients could not pay for and then auction these off to interested buyers so money can be made.

Should there be a surplus after taking everything into account, they may also decide to sell these off and make a few bucks. To compute the selling price, it is best to inspect it, have it appraised then advertise so interested buyers will come over and buy it.

Industrial asset management may also work for those who buy the goods from the company in terms of inspection of the assets for sale, contract reviews, search and comparisons to see if there are any alternatives and the procurement and shipping of the item.

Industrial asset management can do one other thing for the company. If they see that there is something they lack and there is an opportunity to acquire it, they can check if it can be added to their portfolio so the company is able to grow.

Companies that have used the software include aerospace, automobile, mining and service companies because even if they do have assets worth billions of dollars they do not want to see a single penny go to waste.

Will installing a software program to monitor industrial asset management do the trick? The answer is no because you still need management to be involved throughout the whole process. Each company has different needs and these have to be addressed accordingly.

Industrial asset management is a good thing because it helps the company stay productive. You have to remember that it is simply a tool so there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure you get maximum returns on your investment.

How to look for the right asset management people

Sphere: Related Content

You can work all you want but with the high costs of living and the rising prices, your savings will not be enough to last you until your retirement. In order to have a secure future, you need to manage your money right and make sure that the money will earn by itself. Unfortunately, asset management is not something that most people are particularly strong in. In fact, people nowadays are often in trouble because of credit card debts. Only a few know how to save their hard earned money and but even they don’t know how to make their money grow.

Asset management is something that is often done by people who are already experts in money trade. They are the ones who know when to invest and where to invest so that your money will last for a long time. There are companies that specifically provide these kinds of services to people especially to large corporations who seek to grow their money. Asset management companies often deal with individuals who have amassed a lot of money but don’t know what to do with it. For a professional fee or sometimes for a percentage of commission, they will invest your money in real estate, in stocks and in bonds.

Most people, however, are not comfortable with the idea of other people handling their finances. In fact, some will not even let others know that they have amassed such a fortune. But keeping the money in banks will not make it grow. It will only stay stagnant and rendered valueless in time because of rising inflation rates. When you really concentrate on the task, you can find someone who can manage your assets honestly. Here are some tips on how to find that person.

Ask for referrals.

The best way to look for people who you can trust is to ask people you trust to refer people whom they trust. That way, you can be sure that who you are hiring has already been in a way tried and tested by people whose judgment you respect.

A good person to talk to for this is perhaps your parents or in laws who have probably hired people years ago to manage their retirement funds. You can also ask people whose portfolio you admire. Even your boss in the office can be a good source of information.

Diversify

Another way to make sure that your money is well-taken cared of is to spread the money to a couple of asset management people. Do not put all your financial eggs in one basket. This way, you can be sure that if one will have a problem, the other will still be there as an insurance.

Research

But don’t rely on referrals and opinions of people. Even the best judge of characters will also make mistakes. Before hiring the person, look him over and do some background check on him. Research on his employment history and if possible talk to his previous employers and also present ones. Invite him for dinner or set up a meeting with him. That way, you can talk to him or her. Here you will be able to see if you instinctively like the person. Sometimes the gut feel is also important.

How to do Asset management yourself

Sphere: Related Content

It’s not enough that you work every day. If you want to become rich, you also need to invest your money so that it will earn for itself. This is the same concept of putting your money in the bank but the low interest rates that banks give is not enough to combat the rising inflation rates. In fact, if you really want to double or triple your money, experts suggest that you put up a business. However, this is not an option for most people, especially those that are afraid of taking risks. That’s when asset management comes in.

Asset management is the professional management of your money and other assets like stocks, bonds and even real estate for better profit. This is often done by financial advisors and portfolio managers for a fee or most often a percentage of the earnings in a period of time. This fee is what makes most people especially retirees shy away from hiring asset management people.

If you know the economic environment and understand investment terms, you can actually take care of your own assets. Here are some tips on how to manage your money and properties yourself.

1. Ask people

Do not be ashamed to ask people for advice or recommendations. Start with the people that you know. Ask friends or colleagues. If you know people who are good in business, approach them. They will be wells of information. This is because they are probably doing their investing themselves and will know business investments that are really good. Plus, these people in the industry are the first to know about stock news and gossips so you will have first knowledge of the goings on.

Ask them what’s the latest stock that they bought or what investment opportunities do they know that can yield a lot of money. Even if they are not doing asset management themselves, they can probably mention a couple of companies or investment funds that their managers recommended. This way, you are benefitting from asset managers’ wisdom and expertise without having to pay for the fee.

2. Do your research

One reason why a lot of people hire mangers and not do the investing themselves is the fact that the world is filled with people who want to rob you of your money. There are a lot of con artists with schemes that seem picture perfect at first glance. Earn money in 6 months with minimum investment, everything will seem too good. One advice, check it out. If something seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Before you invest in something, make sure that you have done some background checks on the company running it. Looking at their websites or visiting their offices are not enough. You need to look thoroughly at every aspect of the company. Check the transactions that it has made over the years. The number of years that the company has been operating is a pretty good clue too. Stay away from new companies as much as you can. They may be operated by con artists.

3. Diversify

This is actually what most people in asset management do. Do you know the old saying "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." Heed that. Put your money in different business investments. That way, when something happens with one, you still have the other one.

Fixed Asset Management

Sphere: Related Content

Fixed asset management is an accounting process that seeks to track fixed assets for the purposes of financial accounting, preventive maintenance, and theft deterrence. This applies to all industries because doing so makes the workplace more productive.

Without fixed asset management, the equipment and resources of the company are not used both effectively and efficiently. Think of it like a car. If you do not have the oil changed, it will break down. The net effect is being able to save money instead of spending it on repairs which could have been avoided in the first place.

This is why companies take various steps to manage these closely. For instance, machines that are used undergo regular maintenance. If anything needs to be replaced or replenished, this is ordered well in advance so there will not be any disruptions at the workplace.

If the machines are already obsolete and there are newer models that can do a better job, management must consider the costs of buying it or maintaining the old one. In recent times, new equipment is purchased to avoid being left behind the competitors.

Management also has to coordinate with the various departments in the company to see how each one is doing. This is done on a monthly basis to determine whether the company is achieving growth. If it is not, find out why and then do something about it.

For large companies that need to ship goods nationwide, management has to check on their logistical support. Will it be cheaper to maintain their own set of trucks or should they outsource this to someone else?

If the company is experiencing some hard times because of a few companies that are not pulling their weight, management has to decide whether to sell it or find a way to improve it. Should there be an opportunity to gain something, then they also have to consider if this will be beneficial to their portfolio.

Companies also let their auditing teams conduct an inventory to take into account their fixed assets. Sometimes, they may need outside help to do it and there are a number of established companies that have the manpower to do exactly that. They can even suggest to management improvements that need to be done that may well be worth the expense of hiring seasoned professionals.

In order for management to see how well the company is doing, the asset management data has to be put on paper. These days, this means computerizing everything so everyone in management will be able to give their input and agree to a suitable plan.

Fixed asset management is what every company needs to survive in the 21st century. This will serve as a guide whenever money has to be used to buy things or whether the funds of a certain project have to be diverted elsewhere.

Before any decision is made, they have to ask themselves a series of questions. For instance, will this be good for the business long term? How much can we make? How much do we stand to lose? Is this the latest technology around? Is this the best thing in the market today?

These are just some of the questions that companies have to ask themselves in order to practice effective fixed asset management.

Do You Need Asset Management

Sphere: Related Content

Do you need asset management? If you have a lot of businesses and can’t keep track at one instance, then the answer is yes. For such a task, you don’t hire someone inside the company but an outsider who has the expertise to watch over your financial investments.

Professionals who do this kind of work are employed by mutual fund companies. Unlike banks that just keep your money where it earns interest, these companies pool the resources of several investors and place them in different types of instruments. The most popular ones are listed below.

First is called fixed income. By definition, these are investments that will generate a regular flow of income for the investor. Clients that want to invest here are usually issued government bonds.

Next is equity. Unlike fixed income, there is a bit of risk involved here because you are investing in the stock market. To prevent losses, experts have to study the market, assess the ricks and volatility in order to get the best possible returns. Equity schemes are neither limited to a certain industry nor country. This means that it is possible to invest in the stock market in Europe or the Asia Pacific region.

There is also balanced where the mutual fund company will invest in a mix of assets such as shares, bonds and stocks. The risks are higher here but it may soon pay off in time especially for those who don’t mind waiting for a few years to get their investment back.

The money market includes trading treasury bills, commercial paper and other liquid securities. You get a certain amount each month because of interest. It is safer than equity or balanced but the downside is that the rates are usually lower.

Some clients may choose to invest in commodities. Examples of these include gold and other precious metals as well as the most talked about issue right now, oil. The price of oil has gone up by more than 50% this year and it is hard to tell when it will go down. There are various factors affecting this even if Saudi Arabia has pledged to increase production such as the heightened tensions between the US and Iran.

If you want to increase your portfolio, then perhaps you should hand get into asset management. Don’t forget that there are risks involved so there will be times that you will make some and lose some. By diversifying, some people have been able to double their fortune. To know which one is the best to get into, talk with someone from one of these firms to help you find the perfect scheme.

What do mutual fund companies get for making you money? A certain amount which includes fees and expenses but that depends on the arrangements made with the mutual fund company. Then there are also additional expenses called brokerage commissions. This is usually incorporated into the price of the fund that is reported 3 months after the fund’s annual report.

So do you need asset management? Yes because despite the amount you pay, it is a win-win situation when it comes to asset management between the client and the mutual fund company. For those who are thinking of getting into it, don’t even bother if you are not a high roller.

Digital Asset Management

Sphere: Related Content

In recent years, various devices have been made to fully maximize the use of digital technology. You have digital cameras, the Ipod, DVD’s, CD’s and MP3’s. This can be downloaded or uploaded in various websites. As a result, companies who make money online have to focus on digital asset management as this has become just as important as other assets.

Digital asset management or DAM for short consists of annotating, cataloging, ingesting, storing and retrieving of digital assets such as videos, photographs, animation and music using various hardware and software systems. It also refers to the archiving, backing up, downloading, exporting, grouping, maintaining, optimizing, rating and thinning of these files.

Thanks to advances in technology, a digital asset may now be available in different formats. Examples of these cold be manuscripts, plays, music, and videos that could all be created digitally and then downloaded by whoever wants it. Some sites will give this to your for free while other will require you to pay a small fee.

So companies can avoid having problems with the information being uploaded to their site, it is best for them to invest in a software technology solution that can archive, categorize and catalog these digital files. Although it will cost them a lot of time and money, doing so will assure the public that these can be safely and easily stored and retrieved whenever it is needed.

Since viruses could corrupt these files, another component of effective digital asset management is through an efficient and regular back up process. This will allow the company to retrieve those files in the event that these were lost due to an emergency or a disaster.

Aside from online businesses, there are also others who use a similar digital asset management system. These include the following brand asset management systems, these are often used by companies for marketing and sales related efforts. Examples of the data they need to store are photos, logos and marketing paraphernalia.

Then there are library asset management systems which is why schools and others use to store data. Examples of these are newspaper clippings which is an improvement from the kind that was converted into microfilm.

Perhaps one of the biggest challenges in choosing which DAM system to invest in is who will be using the system and how it works. The people you hire should be familiar with it so they can easily store the files. However, if the average Joe will upload files, does he or she have the technical level to understand that?

You should assume that this person does not know anything so you have to get a DAM system that is very user-friendly.

Is there one company out there that can provide the best all in one digital asset management system? The answer is no because it is still growing making it a work in progress. This means that digital asset management is not just about buying the right equipment but also having the right people to manage the archiving process.

In conclusion, digital asset management is important in any business that has to store vast amounts of data. Without the system, it will take some time to find files that were uploaded several months ago when those who have such a system in place will be able to see it in a matter of seconds.

Asset Management and Human Resource Management

Sphere: Related Content

What is asset management? It is a business process and a decision making structure that covers various things in order to come up with cost effective investment decisions. For this to work, you need to have practice good human resource management by hiring the right people with the right qualifications to get the job done.

This job falls to the human resources department as they are after all the ones in charge of hiring. In the past, the people who worked here simply gave the employees their paychecks. But that is not the only thing they do. They are supposed to train and develop the employees so they feel that they are part of something bigger.

The professionals who are supposed to do this should see themselves as two things. First as a strategic partner and second, a changing agent. Strategic partner because without them, a company will not prosper. A changing agent because it is through them that the employees can become better individuals.

With that, you can say that human resource management is the bridge between the administration and the employee. For a company to practice true human asset management, their human resource department has to do the following.

First, they must have an active role in organizational planning. To make this happen, they must be given the power to dictate what is needed in the planning phase including the necessary resources.

The human resource department should be able to recruit employees that are best suited for the organization by being given a free hand as to how this will be achieved. This includes the selection process which involves the testing and the administering component.

Human asset management can only happen if the human resource department is able to produce change. This is done by seeing what needs to be improved on in an employee and then coming up with programs that will enhance it. This includes of course facilitating and overseeing the training. If this was never done before, it should be evaluated to see if there are any flaws so this can be avoided in the future.

Let’s not forget the basics such as traditional personnel administration such as administering wages and benefits, time management, employee cost management as well as employee performance review and appraisals.

Human asset management is serious business because how well the company does depends on the people they hire to fill up the various positions. If they hire someone and he or she is not qualified, problems will occur. If the company has a high turnover, money is also wasted because of the time, training and money that were invested in that person.

To keep employees happy or motivated, they also have to come up with programs that will enhance their skills even if they should be tempted by offers from competitors.

Asset management is a combination of different things. These include cash, bonds, stocks, property and people. If you want your business to prosper, you must have an effective human resource management team in place that will take care of it. Otherwise, there will be problems within the organization. People will quit and when your competitors see that, this can be used to their advantage to the point that they may even take over your business.