Overview

In January 2025, in line with the IT Functional Review objectives for the Hardware Asset and Lifecycle Management Task Force, a series of projects launched under the umbrella of the Endpoint Asset Management Project. These efforts cumulatively will give the university the ability to know the size and makeup of its desktop and laptop computer fleet.  

The program is being conducted in collaboration and consultation among IT Service Group staff across the Cornell Ithaca campus and is guided by advisory and steering groups.

A better understanding of the Cornell Ithaca desktop and laptop computer fleet will help address institutional risk, improve operational efficiency, and recover staff time spent on maintaining this information in a less effective way.  

There will be two new primary components to meet these goals.

Hardware Asset Management

Hardware Asset Management will support asset lifecycle management by streamlining procurement, deployment, maintenance, and decommissioning workflows and act as a single source of data for institutional devices to inform decision-making, investments and security. 

Centralized processes will capture information about devices when they are purchased. There will also be easier, faster, and more consistent data access, dashboards, and management supporting better decision-making and operational efficiency.

The Sassafras hardware asset management tool will seed Cornell's hardware asset and lifecycle management system data of record. It will include Dell, Apple, and CDW-G purchase integrations.  

Endpoint Dashboards

The Endpoint Asset Management Project will provide a unified system for endpoint security compliance, financial management, and hardware lifecycle management. Endpoint dashboards will provide a comprehensive view of Cornell-owned devices. 

The Dashboards will aggregate data from multiple sources and provide accurate, efficient, and consistent information to support decision-making. They will include Certified Desktop reporting and security dashboards, and a future phase will include a user portal.