In the latest Whiteboard Wisdom video, Multiply Technology CEO, Doug Booth, delves into best practices for managing peripherals—like monitors, keyboards, mice, and headsets—within an organization. For IT leaders aiming to scale resources while improving user experience, Doug offers actionable insights to streamline peripheral management, from onboarding new hires to reclaiming equipment when employees leave.
Watch the Whiteboard Wisdom Episode with Doug below:
Here’s a recap of the key takeaways from the session:
Track Peripherals by Inventory, Not Serial Numbers
Most organizations find it more effective to track peripherals by inventory count rather than serial numbers.
- Serializing every item creates unnecessary complexity.
- A holistic count simplifies management and prevents distractions.
Consider Kitting for New Hires, but Always Ask First
When onboarding new hires, it’s important to ask upfront if they need peripheral kits.
- If they already have a preferred monitor or keyboard at home, there’s no need to send them a kit.
- If they do need peripherals, ensure clear IT standards for supporting those devices.
Cash Allowances as an Alternative to Kits
Some companies choose to give cash allowances instead of physical kits, enabling employees to purchase their own peripherals.
- While this approach offers flexibility, it may result in a delay in employees receiving their equipment, impacting their day-one experience.
Prioritize Day-One Experience
If a strong day-one experience is a priority for your new hires, sending a kit might be the best option.
- Delays from cash allowances could mean employees only have a laptop to work with initially.
- For a seamless start, it’s crucial to ensure peripherals are in place when they begin.
Reclaim What Matters: Focus on Machines and Data
When employees leave—whether voluntarily or involuntarily—your focus should be on reclaiming the machines and the data.
- There’s little value in reclaiming used peripherals, such as keyboards and mice, especially since they are not ideal to reuse.
- Shipping costs for these items often outweigh their value.
Show Appreciation: Let Employees Keep Their Peripherals
Instead of reclaiming peripherals, Doug suggests allowing departing employees to keep them as a token of appreciation.
- This approach not only shows goodwill but also reduces logistical overhead for the IT team.
Ready to Optimize Your IT Lifecycle?
Effective peripheral management is just one aspect of a streamlined IT experience. To truly scale your IT resources, improve end-user experience, and optimize your entire IT lifecycle, it’s crucial to adopt best practices that fit your organization’s needs.
Multiply Technology can help your team implement these strategies and more. Whether it’s improving the onboarding experience or simplifying peripheral management, we’ll work with you to create solutions that scale efficiently across the entire hardware lifecyle.
Contact Multiply Technology today to explore how we can transform your IT operations and deliver exceptional value to both your IT team and your end-users.
