Part 1: Admitting You Have a Problem | Zero to HAM
Welcome to Part 1 of AMI’s “Zero to HAM” video series, where we’re breaking down the real-world steps to achieving effective Hardware Asset Management (HAM).
In this first episode, Tom Watson — AMI’s Founder & CEO — tackles a hard truth: before you can fix your asset management challenges, you have to admit you have a problem.
The Hidden Cost of Poor Asset Management
It’s no secret that losing track of hardware assets leads to wasted capital. But the real costs run much deeper:
Slow audits tie up valuable personnel time.
Missed warranties drive up service costs.
Inaccurate stock levels lead to longer service delivery times.
Customer satisfaction drops when systems aren’t supported on time.
These pain points all point back to the same issue: a lack of visibility and process in managing hardware assets.
When the Numbers Don’t Add Up
Tom shares an example from a global enterprise that discovered only 65% of its hardware assets were actually in use.
That means 35% of their investment — millions of dollars in hardware — was sitting idle.
Without a clear picture of utilization, companies end up purchasing more than they need, paying for maintenance and warranties on equipment that isn’t even active.
The takeaway? Until you can quantify your problem, you can’t build the case for change
Why Admitting the Problem Matters
You might already know there’s inefficiency in your system. But knowing isn’t enough — you have to be able to articulate the problem in a way that gets leadership and stakeholders on board.
If you can’t clearly express what’s broken, you’ll never get the budget, support, or buy-in needed to fix it.
Recognizing — and proving — the size of the problem is the first real milestone on the road to successful Hardware Asset Management.
Watch the Next Video
Once you’ve identified the problem, the next challenge is getting buy-in from stakeholders — aligning everyone around a shared goal and strategy.
👉 Watch the next episode of the Zero to HAM series, where we’ll dive into Step 2: Getting Buy-In from Stakeholders.
Download the Whitepaper
Download the whitepaper for practical steps to take to admitting you have a problem.
