IBM Tivoli takes over MRO Software asset management

MRO’s asset management technology and consulting services will be integrated into IBM Software and IBM Global Services offerings. But as originally suggested MRO’s operations will now be integrated into IBM’s Tivoli software business. That will surprise many, but IBM says it reflects the trend among manufacturers to seek out ways to consolidate their software and hardware assets, whether operational or IT-related. “In a recent IBM study, 40% of CEOs indicated that asset utilisation would be a key focus in strengthening financial performance,” says Al Zollar, general manager, IBM Tivoli software. “This acquisition will provide companies with a single view into all of their assets, helping them to maximise efficiencies, drive productivity and innovate business processes across the enterprise.” “By integrating our asset management capabilities with IBM, we can offer our customers a complete asset management solution on a global scale,” says Chip Drapeau, president and CEO of MRO. IBM says it now intends to expand the scope and capabilities of IBM’s business and IT asset management consulting practices, and deliver services for MRO-based solutions through IBM Global Services. It also says that as management of all types of asset becomes more similar and assets themselves more intelligent – connecting to IT networks via RFID, for example, and using IP addresses and embedded chips – the approach will resonate with manufacturers’ requirements. The mantra: “With a consolidated asset management, companies can be more efficient and cut administrative overhead by managing all critical enterprise assets, including industrial equipment in a single, automated environment – the same way many companies currently manage IT assets. By consolidating and automating these processes, companies can establish and automate service levels, separate service delivery from root-cause analysis, and manage the change process.”