Many skills are required when it comes to managing IT assets. Here are the top 5 skills needed for a powerful Cloud Asset Management program.
1. Vendor Management
The management of the cloud service provider is more critical than any other asset management role because now the infrastructure is being managed by a third party and not your organization’s own IT department.
2. Contract Management
The cloud contract is your road map to governance — the fewer details in the agreement, the more work for you.
3. Portfolio Management
Cloud vendors can offer a plethora of products easily consumed by your organization. Understanding the value and function of those products helps your organization only use what is needed.
4. Department Management
The cloud makes access to IT as easy as turning on the lights. The cloud asset manager must be in constant contact with current and future consumers of cloud products within their organization.
5. Data Integration
Reports provided by the cloud vendor may replace the tools that asset managers rely on for reliable data. The cloud asset manager will need to identify the gaps created by moving to the cloud and integrate vendor-provided reports into the ITAM repository.
The Cloud Asset Manager is the newest role to be added to the ITAM family. At the same time, it shares many of the same skills as the other family members; the emphasis on specific skills shifts and becomes more critical. Identify, acknowledge and take the time to develop the necessary skills to be a Cloud Asset Manager – your organization will thank you!