What is IT management software?
IT management software is software that helps companies manage all aspects of an IT infrastructure. This broad category includes all the software that controls and monitors the performance of all of the applications, devices, servers and networks a company uses.
The quality of an IT department’s software and the ability to quickly identify and fix issues that impede business determines the quality of services a business can offer. Finding the IT management software that fits the unique needs of the business and how the team works will facilitate the flow of business and keep all departments running smoothly.
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Types of IT management software
Many types of IT management software are available today. Each comes with unique features and functionality. As new management software evolves, old ones upgrade almost every day because businesses constantly need the latest and most efficient management software to optimize their businesses and update their services. The types of IT management software listed in this article are a few of the widely used IT management software.
| Types of IT management software | How it's used |
|---|---|
| Asset management software | For tracking and managing physical and digital IT assets, including hardware and software. |
| Business continuity software | For the development and implementation of business continuity plans. |
| Database software | For the storage and analysis of business data. |
| File analysis software | For identifying and reporting on potential security vulnerabilities within company files. |
| Incident response software | For mitigating security incidents through the use of automated, pre-configured actions. |
| IT services management software | For planning and managing IT service delivery. |
| Mobile device management software | For tracking, updating and managing mobile assets used by the company. |
| Networking management software | For monitoring and maintaining business networks. |
| Project management software | For organizing, tracking and analyzing the progress of IT projects. |
| Remote desktop software | For accessing desktops in another location for provisioning, updating or troubleshooting. |
| Service desk software | For providing support and troubleshooting to business employees who use IT resources. |
| Task management software | For planning, assigning and tracking tasks related to IT projects. |
| Telecom expense management software | For monitoring and analyzing telecom-related expenses. |
| Ticketing systems | For storing, prioritizing and managing customer service tickets or requests. |
Asset management software
Asset management software is used by IT teams to track and manage a company’s physical and digital IT assets, including hardware and software.
Through asset and inventory management, IT teams ensure each asset is properly maintained and updated as well as decommissioned when required. For example, using asset management software, IT teams can track laptops to ensure they’re being used properly and perform critical security updates to other devices that may prevent a breach.
Popular asset management software vendors include AssetExplorer, Asset Panda, Ivanti, ServiceNow, MMSoft Pulseway and GoCodes.
More about asset management software
- How to reduce costs and risk with IT asset management systems (TechRepublic)
- 6 Asset Tracking Software Tools That Outmode Spreadsheets (TechnologyAdvice)
- Kontainer Pricing & Reviews 2022 (TechnologyAdvice)
- Digital Asset Management Software Buyer’s Guide (TechnologyAdvice)
Business continuity software
Business continuity plans outline the process a company follows to recover from potential threats, including data breaches and cybercrime. Business continuity software is a tool used to develop and implement business continuity plans across an enterprise.
For IT teams, business continuity software provides a simple way to monitor the effectiveness of continuity plans and uncover risks. This software also ensures business continuity programs comply with various regulations, such as those required by HIPAA for healthcare companies and FINRA for financial companies.
Popular business continuity software vendors include Archer, Arcserve, Fusion Framework System and Oracle Risk Management Cloud.
More about business continuity software
- Disaster recovery and business continuity plan (TechRepublic Premium)
- TechnologyAdvice Buyer’s Guide to ERM Software (TechnologyAdvice)
- Vembu VMBackup Pricing & Reviews 2022 (TechnologyAdvice)
- Top DRaaS providers and disaster recovery services 2022 (TechRepublic)
Database software
Database software is used to develop databases as well as manage, analyze and search for the data found within them.
Database software saves IT teams critical time when searching through large stores of data. For example, users may simply use queries to find the data they’re looking for. Database software also improves the security posture of a company by protecting its critical data. Users must be authorized to modify data or view it.
A key use of database software is analytics. Companies can pull insights from the data found within the database to solve business problems and look for security risks.
Popular database software vendors include MySQL, Microsoft SQL, PostgreSQL, Amazon RDS and Oracle RDBMS.
More about database software
- Best ETL Tools & Software 2022 (TechRepublic)
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- TechnologyAdvice Guide to Database Software (TechnologyAdvice)
- TeamDesk Reviews & Pricing 2022 (TechnologyAdvice)
File analysis software
File analysis software is an IT management software used to identify and report on potential security risks within a company’s files. These tools work to analyze and track the file’s content as well as its metadata.
File analysis tools help IT teams locate and manage redundant data. They also help pinpoint which file data contains sensitive information to ensure it’s kept under lock and key. As a result, companies protect their unstructured data and remain in compliance with privacy laws such as the GDPR.
Popular file analysis software vendors include Varonis Data Security Platform, IBM StoredIQ Suite, Spirion and Micro Focus ControlPoint.
More about file analysis software
- ANY.RUN vs. Joe Sandbox: Malware analysis tools comparison (TechRepublic)
Incident response software
Incident response software, also known as security information and event management software, is used for mitigating security incidents when they occur through the use of automation and pre-configured actions. These tools help IT teams react to incidents quickly, preventing serious data and resource loss.
Incident response software manages the entire process of response for IT teams. First, it will detect security anomalies, including everything from failed login attempts to sudden increases in network usage. Once detected, the software will automatically begin the response process, which may include logging suspicious activity and alerting security teams.
Popular incident response software vendors include SolarWinds Security Event Manager, LogPoint SIEM and Splunk Enterprise Security.
More about incident response software
- Cybersecurity incident response: The 6 steps to success (TechRepublic)
- Security incident response: Critical steps for cyberattack recovery (TechRepublic)
- 5 Keys to Writing Your Incident Response Plan (TechnologyAdvice)
- Guide to Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Tools (TechnologyAdvice)
IT services management software
IT services management software is used to plan, execute and manage IT service delivery. This software encompasses every aspect of IT service delivery from troubleshooting to managing security incidents.
ITSM software includes components such as a service desk, incident response tools, change management tools and vendor management tools. ITSM software is used most often by IT teams that follow ITSM frameworks such as COBIT and ITIL.
Popular IT services management software vendors include Freshservice, ServiceNow IT Service Management, SolarWinds Service Desk and Jira Service Management.
More about incident response software
- The Future of ITSM: Service Management Plat forms for Digital Transformation (TechRepublic)
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Mobile device management software
Mobile device management software supports IT teams with the management of mobile assets used by internal employees. This includes tasks such as mobile device configuration, deprovisioning and maintenance.
In today’s remote workforce, daily business tasks are often completed by mobile devices. And with the rise of BYOD, IT teams need a simple way to secure devices and protect company data. Mobile device management is the solution, enabling IT teams to manage mobile devices such as phones and tablets from one centralized location.
Popular mobile device management software vendors including Citrix Endpoint Management, ManageEngine Mobile Device Manager Plus, Jamf Now and SimplySecure.
More about mobile device management software
- BYOD: Managing and securing your mobile workforce (TechRepublic Premium)
- This is the most effective Apple mobile device management service (TechRepublic Academy)
- How to choose the best MDM partner: 5 key considerations (TechRepublic)
Networking management software
Networking management software is an IT management software used to monitor and maintain a company’s on-premise and cloud-based networks. This process includes monitoring networks for security risks, provisioning networks and performing network maintenance.
Network management software enables IT teams to perform networking tasks on multiple systems from a centralized location. This is a crucial capability for IT teams tasked with managing large networks across multiple locations.
In addition, through network management tools, IT teams gain critical visibility into their networks, allowing them to quickly mitigate security risks.
Popular networking management software vendors include Datadog, NinjaOne and SolarWinds.
More about networking management software
- Best network monitoring software and tools 2022 (TechRepublic)
- Network monitoring tools every admin should know (TechRepublic)
- Network operations management: Challenges and best practices (TechRepublic)
Project management software
Project management software is used for organizing, tracking and analyzing the progress of IT projects. For IT teams, project management software improves the management of projects involving software development and deployment, website maintenance and hardware updates.
Project management software enables IT teams to collaborate on tasks and projects in a centralized location. These tools also allow teams to customize their workflows through views. For example, Agile and Scrum teams can use Gantt charts or Kanban boards to visualize projects.
Project management tools provide additional benefits such as the ability to effectively manage IT resources, easily report on project statuses and simplify the tracking of IT tickets.
Popular project management software vendors include Smartsheet, monday.com, ClickUp, Teamwork, Wrike, Asana and Jira.
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Remote desktop software
Remote desktop software is used by IT teams to access desktops in other locations locally to make updates, provision new software and troubleshoot hardware.
Remote desktop software enables a user to connect to and control a remote device located anywhere. As a result, IT teams can resolve technical issues, install apps and mitigate security risks without traveling to another location. This process reduces business downtime and improves IT productivity.
Popular remote desktop software vendors include TeamViewer, Zoho Assist, Splashtop, LogMeIn Pro, Chrome Remote Desktop and AnyDesk.
More about remote desktop software
- How to share your desktop for remote support with Chrome Remote Desktop (TechRepublic)
- How to remotely connect to any PC or device using AnyDesk (TechRepublic)
- 5 remote tools to improve tech support for WFH employees (TechRepublic)
Service desk software
Service desk software is used by IT teams to provide support to internal employees who must use IT resources such as networks and hardware to complete tasks.
Employees use service desk tools to submit questions or requests to the IT team. The service desk software then organizes these requests, enabling teams to provide efficient support. Many service desk tools also provide change management features, allowing IT teams to modify systems to improve IT services on behalf of employees.
Popular service desk software vendors include Freshservice, ServiceNow IT, SolarWinds Service Desk and Jira Service Management.
More about service desk software
- 6 steps for building an effective help desk (TechRepublic Premium)
- Report: Employees remain satisfied with the service desk but unsatisfied at work (TechRepublic)
Task management software
Task management software helps IT teams plan, assign and track tasks related to IT projects. By effectively managing tasks, teams can move projects forward in a timely manner, improve resource utilization and easily report on project progress.
IT teams also use task management software to collaborate from anywhere, a critical capability in today’s distributed workforce. Many task management tools also offer automation to help teams create tasks and move them through the pipeline without human intervention, saving time and effort.
Popular task management software vendors include Asana, ClickUp, monday.com, ProofHub and Todoist.
More about task management software
- Task management vs. project management: Which is best for your team? (TechRepublic)
- Asana vs. Monday (TechnologyAdvice)
Telecom expense management software
Telecom expense management software is a tool used to track all of an IT team’s telecom expenses in one place, resulting in simplified monitoring, analysis and decision-making.
IT teams can use telecom expense management software to track the cost and usage of communication tools such as voice, IoT and the cloud.
Using telecom expense management software, teams gain a better understanding of where their spending should be reduced or increased. Teams can also use these tools to prepare cost audits and ensure vendors are charging appropriately.
Popular telecom expense management software vendors include Sakon, Tangoe, RadiusPoint, Network Control, One Source and brightfin.
More about ticketing systems
- Telecom audit can cut your clients’ costs (TechRepublic)
Ticketing systems
Ticketing systems are a subset of IT management tools that support IT teams in prioritizing and managing customer service tickets or requests. Using software and automation, tickets are created, routed to the appropriate individual or team and then resolved.
The process of ticketing involves assigning a unique identifier to each event or request. As a result, tickets are easily tracked to ensure they’re resolved, improving the customer experience. Ticketing systems also improve a team’s productivity, as tickets are centralized and kept up-to-date with each customer interaction.
Popular ticketing system vendors include HubSpot Help Desk and Ticketing, SolarWinds Ticketing System, Jira Service Desk and Zendesk.
More about ticketing systems
- How to choose the right help desk ticket management system (TechRepublic)
- Five ticketing systems for developers (TechRepublic)
Which IT management software do you need?
IT management software is an ever-growing market. Technology keeps evolving, and for businesses to thrive in the competitive market, they need to constantly upgrade their software for better services. Businesses cannot leave their upgrading system to chance but must be at the top of their game in the product and services they offer.
Many businesses use cloud-based software to minimize the risk of data loss or theft, while others choose to outsource their IT management tasks to a third-party provider. Some systems also offer forecasting capabilities so you can keep an eye on the future health of your company’s infrastructure. The best IT management software will help you simplify your business processes by automating routine processes like hardware procurement, network maintenance and server maintenance.