IAITAM And EY Announce Collaboration To Bring Industry The First IT Asset Management Organizational Certification

CANTON, Ohio, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The International Association of IT Asset Managers (IAITAM) announces the first IT Asset Management Organizational Certification of its kind to the industry at large. IAITAM, who is vendor-neutral and prides itself as offering real-world solutions to IT Asset Management (ITAM) issues, is taking its assessment product (ITAM360® Assessment), which is based off of the IAITAM 12 Key Process Areas (the only documented ITAM architecture), and commissioning Ernst & Young (EY) to deliver the assessment. EY, as a global organization, can provide services in the technology space and is perfectly positioned to deliver this assessment with IAITAM with its global reach, credentials in compliance and position of independence. Together IAITAM and EY will deliver the global standard for organizations to aspire to in ITAM.

The organizational certification signals that the holder possesses and maintains a topflight ITAM program. In addition, as a part of the service, IAITAM and EY will provide an in-depth roadmap that an organization can follow to improve upon processes and controls in its ITAM programs.

ITAM has recently seen widespread adoption and recognition as a core business competency. 2014 will be a year during which ITAM gains significant global adoption in organizations of all shapes and sizes. This adoption will also usher in unprecedented focus both internally and externally on organizational ITAM processes. Resulting improvements will help drive productivity, mitigate risk and generate quantifiable financial savings from IT investment. The affiliation with EY, together with IAITAM's relationships with APMG and William Howard Taft University, will complete a trifecta of ITAM offerings and push the profession into unchartered heights.

IAITAM's programs link directly into master's-level degree programs offered by William Howard Taft University. These same programs provide individual competency certifications on a truly global scale, with APMG-accredited ATOs (Accredited Training Organizations) providing significantly enhanced global availability of IAITAM training. "The EY/IAITAM program will deliver an organizational certification, ITAM program analysis against benchmarks indicative of ITAM maturity, and a pathway for organizational improvement in ITAM processes," said IAITAM president Dr. Barbara Rembiesa. "These three IAITAM education options, leading to master's degrees, individual certifications and organizational certifications, will serve as a complete package to equip the individual and the organization with the essential knowledge to meet expanding ITAM needs."

Paul Walker, head of EY's Forensic Technology for EMEIA and a lead in its technology compliance business globally, stated, "EY embraces the opportunity to work with IAITAM and the ITAM360® Assessment Program. For EY, this [collaboration] is an exceptional fit not only because of the outstanding reputation that IAITAM has, but also because of the fact that IAITAM remains independent and vendor-neutral, something that EY has seen becoming increasingly rare in the ITAM space. Both EY and IAITAM have a desire to be seen as a positive force in the IT Asset Management space, and by working together, we are confident that we will be able to continue our own philosophy of 'Building a better working world' as well as championing the IAITAM philosophy of getting IT asset management being viewed as a C-level requirement in this industry." Further, Paul emphasized how EY is seeing "an increased desire for clients to ensure that they understand their IT asset portfolio and be compliant with both their hardware and software vendors." He also noted that the "ITAM360® Assessment Program is a way that clients can achieve this and reduce the risk of non-compliance with their commercial contractual obligations."

Dr. Rembiesa continued to say that with this collaboration and the organizational certification, IAITAM can meet the emerging needs of diverse organizations around the world in their respective ITAM spaces. 2014 and beyond will bring significant challenges throughout the lifecycle of IT assets. IAITAM will continue its mission to bring ITAM to industry and governmental organizations alike as a core business practice, as well as to elevate ITAM to an executive-level function reporting directly to the CEO. "Such an executive-level presence for ITAM will ensure that ITAM occupies an appropriate and integral part of a business decision-making process while adding significant value to the bottom line of the organization." Dr. Rembiesa concludes by saying, "Can you run your business without IT? [I]f you are not managing your IT, you are not managing your business."

ABOUT IAITAM AND EY

The International Association of Information Technology Asset Managers, Inc., the professional association for individuals and organizations involved in any aspect of IT Asset Management, Software Asset Management ("SAM"), Hardware Asset Management, Mobile Asset Management, IT Asset Disposition and the lifecycle processes supporting IT Asset Management in organizations of every size and industry across the globe. IAITAM certification is the only IT Asset Management certifications that are recognized worldwide. For more information, visit www.iaitam.org, or download the IAITAM mobile app on Google Play or the iTunes App Store.

Ernst & Young is a multinational professional services firm headquartered in the UK. We have 175,000 employees working out of more than 700 offices in over 150 countries. We provide assurance, tax, consulting or advisory services to many of the largest companies in the world. Our reputation has been built not only by the quality of our people but by always looking to do what is right and positive. Working with us to complete your ITAM 360 Assessment will provide you the reassurance of a job completed by an independent firm to the highest standard. For more information, visit: www.ey.com.

SOURCE International Association of IT Asset Managers and Ernst & Young