Integrated asset data capture: Resolving IT incidents up to 10x faster
By
Joerg Hesselink
|
Jul 08, 2026
Even in the age of AI, Excel spreadsheets remain the go-to solution in many organizations. “We need to document our IT infrastructure. Let’s create a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet containing all asset data.”
Once the spreadsheet is created, teams often feel they are on the safe side. In reality, however, relying on spreadsheets in distributed IT environments is the beginning of a much bigger problem. Let’s be honest: how long will that spreadsheet remain accurate? Figure 1 illustrates the reality of distributed IT environments. At the latest, the next audit will require the data to be reviewed and updated once again. And that’s the best-case scenario. The real costs arise when inaccurate or incomplete data delays the resolution of an IT outage.
Figure 1: Distributed IT environments create challenges on multiple levels—particularly when production sites, logistics centers, or retail locations are connected to central IT systems and must be managed remotely.
The high cost of spreadsheet-based asset management
Let’s consider a worst-case scenario: a critical IT component causes a production outage at an automotive manufacturing company. It takes an entire hour just to identify and locate the faulty component. According to Siemens’ study The True Cost of Downtime 2024, such an outage can cost up to $2.3 million per hour. Even at the lower end of the scale, downtime costs of $36,000 per hour in the fast-moving consumer goods industry easily justify an automated asset data capture solution. After all, IT professionals report that more than 50% of troubleshooting time is spent identifying the root cause of an issue and physically locating the affected IT assets.
Visual, not manual
The greatest enemy of reliable asset data is disconnected processes and fragmented information flows. Entering data manually into spreadsheets and then transferring it into asset management systems is time-consuming and inevitably compromises data quality. In many cases, multiple departments and external service providers are involved as well. To avoid errors, every change must be captured immediately during each IMAC (Install, Move, Add, Change) process. This is where DC Vision comes in. The DC Vision app is installed on mobile devices such as tablets used by internal IT teams or managed service providers. Work instructions are delivered directly from the service management platform to the app. Every rack is stored as a digital twin. Using augmented reality, digital rack data can be overlaid onto the physical infrastructure on-site. Any discrepancies become visible instantly. Through image recognition and AI-powered technology, assets can be identified, updated, and modified in real time.
Figure 2: Work instructions are displayed through augmented reality, while rack changes are captured instantly using image recognition technology.
Smarter technology
When AI-powered image recognition and mobile augmented reality are integrated directly into IMAC processes, even non-experts can quickly identify discrepancies. Missing information and potential errors can be corrected or documented immediately on-site, rather than being discovered later. The result is a trustworthy, real-time asset inventory that dramatically accelerates incident resolution and helps prevent costly escalations.
A major advantage for organizations already using IT Asset Management (ITAM) or Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM) solutions is that existing systems do not need to be replaced—they are enhanced. Through integrations within the DC Smarter platform, data captured via the app is automatically synchronized with existing asset management systems for further processing and operational use. Previous technology investments are not only protected but are finally able to deliver their full value.
To see exactly how DC Vision works and how easy it is to use, join Ismar Efendic for a concise 15-minute Tech Talk. Watch the Tech Talk now.