The Forgotten Side of Asset Management: Making Sense of EAM

During our recent ITAM MasterClass, Senior Director Christine Morris and Principal Architect Ian Cahall posed a question that hit home for a lot of attendees: Have you considered looking into ServiceNow Enterprise Asset Management? 
The most common response wasn’t “yes.” It was “wait — what’s that?” 

“Enterprise Asset Management is for non-IT assets,” Ian explained. “What HAM and SAM make up for the IT asset space, EAM does for everything else.” 

That simple clarification opened a much bigger conversation. While most organizations are busy perfecting their Hardware and Software Asset Management practices, their non-IT assets — everything from machinery and medical equipment to furniture and fleet vehicles — often remain invisible. 

What Counts as an Enterprise Asset? 

According to Ian, the definition is broad but intentional. 

“If we’re paying money for something and need to track the specific lifecycle of it, it could qualify as an enterprise asset.” 

That could mean manufacturing equipment, retail fixtures, or even the HVAC system in a building. The common thread is that these assets have value, risk, and lifecycles that deserve management; not just maintenance. 

Why EAM Matters More Than Ever

Enterprise Asset Management is about more than tracking inventory. It’s about maximizing value, extending asset life, and maintaining compliance. Ian noted that ServiceNow’s EAM capabilities help organizations: 

• Understand what they own and who’s responsible for it 

• Streamline maintenance and lifecycle processes 

• Mitigate risks tied to compliance or safety requirements 

• Integrate non-IT asset data into a single, auditable system 

“The important thing is visibility,” Christine added. “When departments are siloed, everyone does their own thing, and no one has that perfect snapshot from a financial perspective.” 

Bridging the Knowledge Gap 

When attendees were asked what tools they currently use to manage enterprise assets, most admitted their systems were a mix of spreadsheets, departmental tools, and “magical chaos.” That’s where education and enablement come in. 

“HAM and SAM are hard enough to do on your own,” Christine said. “Enterprise Asset Management is much harder.” 

That’s exactly why Ondaro created the ITAM MasterClass series. Ondaro wants to provide better understanding of where EAM fits, what it requires, and how to make the most of ServiceNow’s capabilities. 

Ready to Learn More?

Is your organization is still tracking non-IT assets in Excel, or still asking what even is EAM? Join Ondaro’s ITAM MasterClass series to get clarity, guidance, and practical next steps for building an enterprise-wide asset strategy. 

Register now for upcoming sessions and to watch the recording of the latest session on EAM so you can get control of your assets! 

Register Now