Operations | Monitoring | ITSM | DevOps | Cloud

December 2024

IT Support Costs: Key Factors And Budgeting Tips

When it comes to tracking expenses, most organizations have a solid grasp on their budgets. But when it comes to IT support costs? Things can get a little... blurry. Why? Because IT support involves many moving parts. From downtime and cybersecurity risks to overlapping subscriptions and cloud services, the costs can pile up in unexpected ways. And here’s the kicker: the cost of poor IT support can be even worse—leading to disruptions, vulnerabilities, and spiraling inefficiencies.

IT Service Management Trends For 2025: Insights From Rob England, Claire Agutter And Mark Smalley

What happened in 2024? How did the IT Service Management trends evolve? And what does the future hold for ITSM? These are the questions we tackled in the latest episode of Ticket Volume - IT Podcast. We brought back three industry powerhouses—Rob England, Claire Agutter, and Mark Smalley—who joined us last year to predict the future of IT Service Management (ITSM).

IoT Update Management: Stay Ahead of Security Risks

Internet of Things (IOT) technology has become an integral part of our lives, powering everything from smart homes to advanced business operations. With 18 billion connected IoT devices projected by the end of 2024, its importance is undeniable. But while IoT opens doors to innovation, replacing these devices can be expensive. That’s where IoT Update Management comes into play—ensuring your devices stay secure, functional, and cost-effective over time.

What is Hardware Procurement? Planning and Strategies

Managing IT hardware procurement effectively is more important than ever for businesses aiming to stay ahead. Worldwide spending on IT hardware is expected to reach $579.7 billion in 2025. With growing dependency on technology, organizations need efficient strategies for sourcing, maintaining, and replacing hardware assets. This guide explores what hardware procurement entails, its importance in the hardware lifecycle, and actionable steps to optimize the process.

IoT Device Management: Definition, Process And Software

Did you know that by 2030, the number of IoT (Internet of Things) devices is expected to reach a staggering 40 billion? To put that into perspective, that’s nearly double the 16 billion connected devices reported in 2023. This explosive growth is transforming industries, but it also raises a critical question: how do we efficiently manage such a vast and growing network of devices? If we think about how businesses do it, the answer is clear: with comprehensive IoT Device Management.

How to Use Password Protection For Network Discovery

Password protection is the first line of defense to maintain the security of your network and its shared resources. With password-protected sharing, you control who can access your files, printers, and other devices within your network. This approach ensures that only authorized users with valid credentials can connect to your shared content, adding a layer of defense against unauthorized access.

InvGate Service Management: 6 AI Superpowers to Augment Service Desk Agents' Capabilities

At InvGate, we are committed to harnessing the power of AI to redefine Service Management practices. Since launching AI Hub, featuring the first wave of AI-powered capabilities within InvGate Service Management and Asset Management, over 50% of our clients have adopted them and saved dozens of thousands of hours. Our most impactful solutions have focused on enhancing decision-making processes, enabling teams to work smarter and achieve better outcomes.

Understanding Deprecated Software And How to Manage It

Have you ever encountered a warning that a software function or feature is "deprecated"? It’s a term many users come across but don’t always fully understand. Deprecated software can pose challenges for IT teams and organizations, as it often signals the need for change. In this article, we’ll explain what deprecated software is, how it differs from depreciated software, and why it matters.

Risks and Mitigation of Unpatched Software: Protect Your Systems Before it's Too Late

Let’s be real—leaving software unpatched is like forgetting to lock your front door before heading out. It may seem harmless at first, but it gives cybercriminals an open invitation to waltz in and wreak havoc. The risks and mitigation of unpatched software are critical topics for organizations to understand because unpatched vulnerabilities are one of the leading entry points for ransomware attacks.

InvGate Asset Management: 5-Minute Demo

InvGate Asset Management lets you create, discover, track, and manage your IT asset inventory. You can also automate tasks, manage your financials, build a CMDB, be ready for audits, and more. And, of course, you can link InvGate Service Management tickets to assets for a complete support workflow, aligned with best ITAM and ITSM practices.

Mac Patch Management: Strategies For IT Success + Solutions

Let's face it-Mac Patch Management can be like trying to hit a moving target. There's always some new security vulnerability lurking around the corner, some critical patch that needs deploying, or some pesky third-party app demanding attention. If you're managing a mixed bag of Mac devices, you already know the stakes: falling behind on updates can mean cybersecurity threats, data loss, or worse-downtime.

Patch Scanning: Where it Fits in The Patch Management Process

Did you know that 54% of IT professionals identify detecting vulnerabilities as the hardest part of the patching process (Adaptiva)? In a world where cyber threats are going to be more evolutionary and at a faster pace, one undiscovered vulnerability could still leave an organization exposed. That is where patch scanning comes in.

Windows Patch Management: Tips & Tools For Total Protection

Let’s talk numbers for a second. Did you know that Microsoft’s Windows dominates over 68% of the desktop operating systems market worldwide (Statista)? With such global dominance, ensuring effective Windows Patch Management to keep systems secure and running smoothly isn’t just important—it’s absolutely essential. And that’s exactly what we’re here to discuss. In this article, we’ll cover: Ready to take control of your Windows patching process?

Essential Linux Patch Management: Tools And Best Practices For Success

Let’s talk Linux Patch Management—a crucial practice in today’s cybersecurity landscape. In 2023, cybercriminals doubled their exploitation of Linux vulnerabilities compared to the previous year, according to Kaspersky. Although there has been a slight decrease in 2024, the trend persists due to the increasing popularity of Linux systems. This growth makes Linux Patch Management more important than ever for businesses of all sizes.

InvGate recognized in Gartner Market Guide For Hardware Asset Management Tools

InvGate has been recognized in Gartner's Market Guide for Hardware Asset Management Tools as a representative vendor, with InvGate Asset Management highlighted as our standout solution. This recognition reflects our commitment to helping organizations simplify Hardware Asset Management (HAM), optimize costs, and mitigate risks through innovative technology. So, why did Gartner include us?

Customer Experience and Emotional Intelligence: Insights For Building Meaningful Connections

What makes a truly exceptional Customer Experience and emotional intelligence strategy? Is it cutting-edge technology? Streamlined processes? Or something much deeper, like a sense of connection? In episode 92 of the Ticket Volume - IT Podcast, host Matt Beran sat down with Michael Mattson and Luke Jamieson—two leaders in the Customer Experience (CX) space—to explore the evolving world of CX and Employee Experience (EX).

The Coming Wave of Disruption: How AI Will Revolutionize UX

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been a part of technological innovation since the 1950s, but recent advances in large language models (LLMs) have accelerated its impact. These advancements have sparked widespread excitement, but many are missing the real disruption on the horizon: user experience (UX). As a company deeply rooted in UX innovation, we at InvGate are closely examining how this evolution will unfold.

Automated Patch Management: Definition & How to do it

Let’s talk about something every IT team faces: patching. It’s essential for security but can quickly turn into a time-consuming and stressful task. That’s where automated Patch Management comes to the rescue, taking the hassle out of the process and ensuring vulnerabilities are fixed faster than ever. Here’s the kicker: according to Adaptiva’s State of Patch Management in the Digital Workplace report, 77% of organizations take more than two weeks to deploy patches.

New Discovery Capabilities: Learn How to integrate InvGate Asset Management With Hyper-V

Keeping your IT asset inventory reliable and up-to-date can be a challenge, especially when managing virtualized environments. That’s why we’re excited to introduce a significant enhancement to InvGate Asset Management—its new integration with Microsoft Hyper-V. Many users rely on Hyper-V because it’s a practical and budget-friendly virtualization option.

Microsoft Licensing Changes: What to Expect in 2025

Microsoft licensing changes are here, and if you’re wondering what it all means for your organization, you’re in the right place. These updates aren’t just tweaks—they’re reshaping how businesses manage their software, IT budgeting, and compliance strategies. For IT Asset Management (ITAM) professionals, staying on top of these changes is critical to avoid unnecessary costs and keep operations running smoothly.

Laptop Inventory: How to Build it And The Best Tools to Manage it

By the end of 2024, the world will have shipped a staggering 186.68 million laptops, according to Statista. With so many devices in circulation, the importance of maintaining an accurate and up-to-date laptop inventory has never been greater. Knowing what laptops your organization owns, where they are, and how they’re being used is crucial for ensuring smooth operations and minimizing risks. In this blog post, we’ll unpack everything you need to know about laptop inventory.

Patch Management Software: 7 Dedicated Tools For 2025

How do you choose the perfect Patch Management software for your business? If this question has been keeping you up at night, you’re not alone—and for good reason. Choosing the right Patch Management tool isn’t just about keeping things updated; it can make or break your organization’s security strategy.

CNBC Says AI Will Replace Tech Support - Here's What They Got Wrong

Another day, another AI headline designed to spike your blood pressure. The Service Management industry is no stranger to dramatic proclamations about AI, and neither are you. But what’s the real story behind CNBC’s latest take, “The tech support desk at work is one of the first jobs AI is rapidly replacing?” Does the Palo Alto Networks company need media coverage? Does CNBC? CompTIA? All of them? Perhaps there is a hidden agenda behind the article being published.

What is Configuration Management? IT Beginners Guide

Configuration Management is the backbone of IT Service Management, providing a clear and reliable map of your IT landscape. It ensures that assets required to deliver services are controlled and that accurate information about them is available when needed. In ITIL 4, it's a crucial part of the Service Management Practice section within the Service Value System.

What Do Most Corporations Do With Returned Computers?

When computers are returned to a corporation, they don’t simply disappear into storage or landfills. Companies often implement structured processes to make the most of these devices while adhering to regulatory and ethical standards. Managing returned computers is a practical and pressing concern for corporations, whether dealing with employee's offboarding, end-of-life hardware, or upgrades. The process involves multiple considerations, from data security to environmental compliance.

Meet the InvGate Product, Implementation, and Customer Success Teams

Behind the scenes at InvGate: How we build outstanding ITSM and ITAM solutions Join our team as we explore the philosophy, challenges, and innovations that drive InvGate's approach to IT Asset Management (ITAM), IT Service Management (ITSM) and Enterprise Service Management (ESM). In this exclusive conversation, our experts discuss: How we build solutions for different user types The key challenges in implementing Service Management tools Strategies for continuous innovation and customer success Balancing complexity with user-friendly design.