There is far too much happening beneath the surface that they simply aren’t able to see or do anything about. It’s like an iceberg.

This is a serious issue, one that leads to unmanaged costs, hidden security risks, and surprise fees. No IT department can afford to operate like this. Which is why we created Block 64.

Block 64 is a comprehensive IT asset discovery and management platform for organizations looking to gain full visibility into their IT infrastructure. It empowers IT leaders to proactively oversee IT lifecycle, ensure compliance, and tackle security vulnerabilities head-on.

In our last article, we talked a little bit about why this is happening. Read all about the Top ITAM Mistakes if you missed it.

In this article, we will go through some of our key solutions and show you how Block 64 solves the visibility crisis, transforming the way organizations manage their IT environments.

1. Lifecycle Management

What is Lifecycle Management?

Lifecycle Management involves overseeing the entire lifespan of IT assets—including hardware, software, and cloud infrastructure—from acquisition through to decommissioning. It’s about ensuring these assets are optimized, secure, and up-to-date throughout their use.

Why is it important?

Every IT asset has a finite lifespan. Neglecting to monitor their end-of-life (EOL) status can lead to unexpected downtimes, security vulnerabilities, and inflated maintenance costs. Operating on outdated hardware or software not only risks operational efficiency but also misses opportunities for cost-effective upgrades.

This is not a fringe concern. According to our Benchmarks for CIOs research, 37% of organizations are running unsupported SQL servers, and 52% are operating with unsupported Windows Server versions. Similarly, the report, which analyzed more than 250,000 endpoints across hundreds of North American businesses, found that 44% of IT hardware is beyond warranty. Aging, outdated and unsupported IT infrastructure is a serious, ubiquitous issue.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 automates the tracking of assets across your entire IT landscape, delivering real-time insights into the age, usage, and performance of every component. For instance, the platform proactively flags systems nearing their EOL, allowing you to schedule replacements or upgrades before failures occur. This preemptive approach eliminates reactive replacements and surprise downtimes. By automating lifecycle tracking, Block 64 reduces manual effort and ensures no asset slips through the cracks.

Value Delivered

• Reduced Downtime: Prevent unexpected system failures by replacing assets before they fail.
• Cost Savings: Avoid expensive, last-minute upgrades and capitalize on cost-effective technology advancements.
• Resource Optimization: Free up IT personnel from manual tracking tasks, allowing them to focus on strategic initiatives.
• Enhanced Security: Mitigate risks associated with obsolete systems that are more susceptible to vulnerabilities.

2. Security & Vulnerability Management

What is Security & Vulnerability Management?

This practice involves the continuous identification, assessment, and remediation of risks within your IT environment. As new vulnerabilities emerge, IT teams must stay vigilant to prevent potential breaches.

Why is it important?

Unaddressed vulnerabilities are gateways for cyberattacks, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and damage to your organization’s reputation. In an era of sophisticated and evolving threats, proactive vulnerability management is critical to safeguarding your infrastructure.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 offers continuous scanning of your IT environment, pinpointing security vulnerabilities across all endpoints. It identifies risks such as outdated software versions, missing patches, or system misconfigurations. For example, Block 64’s insights revealed that 74% of endpoints were exposed to critical vulnerabilities in a recent benchmark report. Armed with this information, IT teams can swiftly apply patches, upgrade software, or adjust security policies before these vulnerabilities are exploited.

Value Delivered

• Proactive Risk Mitigation: Address vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.
• Time Efficiency: Reduce the time spent manually tracking and prioritizing threats.
• Resource Allocation: Focus efforts on the most critical vulnerabilities based on severity.
• Enhanced Security Posture: Strengthen defenses against potential cyberattacks.

3. Compliance & License Management

What is Compliance & License Management?

Compliance management ensures your IT environment adheres to regulatory and industry standards. License management involves tracking software usage to prevent over-licensing (wasting resources) or under-licensing (risking penalties).

Why is it important?

Software audits can result in unexpected fees if licenses aren’t properly managed. Over-licensing leads to unnecessary expenses, while under-licensing exposes you to legal risks and potential fines during audits. For example, our Benchmarks research showed that 63% of businesses are running legacy versions of Java – putting them at risk of massive price increases due to changes in Java licensing.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 provides real-time tracking of software usage and licensing across your organization. It delivers detailed insights into software utilization, helping you determine whether you’re compliant with licensing agreements. For instance, the platform can alert you when you’re approaching or exceeding license limits, allowing corrective action before an audit. Conversely, it highlights underused licenses, enabling you to reallocate or discontinue unused software subscriptions.

Value Delivered

• Cost Avoidance: Prevent financial penalties associated with non-compliance.
• Optimized Spending: Eliminate costs from underutilized licenses.
• Audit Preparedness: Maintain readiness for audits with accurate, up-to-date licensing information.
• Operational Efficiency: Save time by automating license tracking and compliance reporting.

4. Cloud & Copilot Planning

What is Cloud & Copilot Planning?

Cloud planning involves evaluating and migrating suitable IT assets to the cloud to enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Copilot planning focuses on preparing your IT environment for AI-driven tools like Microsoft Copilot, ensuring compatibility and optimal performance.

Why is it important?

Strategic cloud migration can lead to significant cost savings and operational improvements, but missteps can result in overspending and resource misalignment. Similarly, integrating AI tools requires careful preparation to avoid performance issues and security vulnerabilities.

How Block 64 Solves It

Block 64 assists in identifying which assets are prime candidates for cloud migration by analyzing resource utilization and interdependencies. For example, it can spotlight underutilized servers that, when migrated, optimize cloud expenditure and efficiency. In terms of Copilot planning, Block 64 ensures your infrastructure is secure and compatible with AI tools, facilitating a smooth and effective rollout.

Value Delivered

• Cost Optimization: Migrate only necessary assets to the cloud, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
• Efficient Migrations: Streamline the migration process with data-driven insights.
• AI Integration: Accelerate the adoption of AI tools like Copilot without compromising security.
• Future-Proofing: Prepare your IT environment for emerging technologies and innovations.

Ready to Transform Your IT Environment?

Experience the transformative power of proactive IT management with Block 64. Sign up for a free trial and gain full access to our platform—no commitments required. Devote just 30 minutes per week to your personalized dashboard, and witness the immediate value we bring.

👉 Start Your Free Trial Today

Don’t let outdated practices hold your organization back. Embrace the future of IT management and unlock your team’s full potential with Block 64.

The post Visibility Crisis: How Block 64 Solves Modern ITAM Challenges first appeared on Block 64.

Since its release, organizations worldwide have rapidly adopted Copilot, driven by its continually expanding features and capabilities. Recent updates include priority access to the GPT-4 Turbo, expanded image generation and enhanced functionalities in SharePoint and Teams.

But regardless of all the hype, business leaders are facing questions:

Is your business ready? Do you have the right licensing and security requirements? Most importantly: Will Copilot pay off?

The key to success comes down to having the right tools, processes and people in place. So, how do you make sure your business has what it needs for a successful Copilot launch?

In this article we outline why you need to assess your Copilot for Microsoft 365 readiness. We’ll also explain the risks to rushing in, challenges to finding answers and how tools such as Block 64’s Copilot Readiness Assessment can help.

The Challenges of Deploying Copilot for Microsoft 365

The path to successful Copilot implementation is fraught with challenges and resource-intensive demands:

1. Complex Security Requirements: Ensuring security compliance is paramount when getting ready for Copilot. Adopting a Zero Trust security model is required – and that demands rigorous adherence to security policies and standards. Evaluating and addressing vulnerabilities in your IT environment is critical to protect data, networks, and applications from potential threats.
2. Intricate Licensing Demands: Understanding and managing licensing requirements for Copilot can be daunting. Accurate data on your current licensing status is necessary to identify gaps and optimize costs. Given that Copilot requires specific Microsoft 365 licenses and additional fees, a thorough analysis ensures that your investment aligns with organizational goals and maximizes ROI​.
3. Deep Understanding of Current Productivity Tool Usage: Maximizing the benefits of Copilot hinges on the effective use of existing productivity tools. Assessing current usage patterns of applications like Teams and OneDrive is essential to ensure they are being utilized to their full potential. This analysis helps identify areas for improvement, driving better adoption rates and preventing resource wastage​.

Why Readiness Matters: The Real Risks of Unprepared Adoption

Rushing into Copilot adoption without proper preparation can lead to several serious consequences:

1. Wasted Investment and Slowed Innovation: Choosing an inappropriate pilot group can lead to poor adoption rates and misleading feedback, which may derail your entire AI initiative. Additionally, investing in tools that are not fully utilized squanders resources and fosters skepticism towards future technology adoptions, ultimately stalling innovation​.
2. Security and Compliance Risks: Inadequate security measures significantly heighten the risk of data breaches and intellectual property theft, exposing the organization to substantial vulnerabilities. Furthermore, non-compliance with regulatory standards can result in severe financial penalties and reputational damage, underscoring the need for robust security protocols​.
3. Operational Disruption: Improper integration of Copilot with existing workflows can lead to decreased productivity rather than the intended improvements. Without proper planning, these disruptions can cause underutilization of the tool and increase the burden on IT support, counteracting the benefits of adopting the new technology​.
4. Missed Opportunities: Failing to identify high-impact use cases restricts the potential return on investment, as the most beneficial applications of the technology are overlooked. Additionally, an inability to scale the solution effectively means the organization misses out on significant competitive advantages that could be gained through broader adoption​.

Introducing Block 64’s Copilot Readiness Assessment

To navigate these challenges and mitigate risks, Block 64 has developed the Copilot Readiness Assessment. This powerful tool provides a comprehensive analysis of your organization’s readiness for Copilot adoption in just 15 minutes of setup time.

What the assessment covers:

1. Security Evaluation:

• Assesses your M365 and Azure Secure Scores against Microsoft’s recommendations
• Identifies potential oversharing risks and sensitive data exposure

2. Licensing Analysis

• Evaluates your current licensing status and identifies gaps
• Helps you understand Copilot-ready licenses and considerations for frontline workers

3. Usage Optimization

• Analyzes your current usage of collaboration tools and Copilot-integrated applications
• Identifies opportunities for improved adoption and productivity gains

The Outcome: Actionable Insights

Upon completion, you’ll receive a detailed, multi-page report packed with data-driven insights, recommendations and alerts, including:

1. Your organization’s overall Copilot readiness score – with detailed steps to remediate security and licensing gaps
2. A shortlist of recommended users for your pilot program, based on the most likely group to deliver maximum impact
3. Estimated human hours saved in one year by implementing Copilot
4. Clear recommendations for improving your readiness and maximizing ROI

Getting Started

Embarking on your Copilot readiness journey is simple.

Simply visit our Copilot Readiness Assessment sign up page and follow the steps.

In the race to harness the power of generative AI, proper preparation is your strongest ally. Block 64’s Copilot Readiness Assessment provides the clarity and insights you need to make informed decisions, reduce risks, and pave the way for a successful Copilot for M365 implementation.

Don’t leave your GenAI future to chance. Get your Copilot Readiness assessment started in just 15 minutes and take the first step towards transforming your organization’s productivity.

Start Your Copilot Readiness Assessment Now

The post How to get ready for Copilot for Microsoft 365 first appeared on Block 64.

What is Block 64’s API

The Block 64 API exports IT inventory and usage data to your existing CMDBs or IT management tools, such as ServiceNow. This integration creates a seamless workflow and eliminates the need to manage insights across different platforms.

Block 64’s API addresses common challenges many of our clients face. In particular, it puts an end to the siloing of critical data and the obstacles to taking action on the insights we help you surface with our ITAM reporting platform.

In today’s fast-paced environment, having immediate access to comprehensive data within your existing ecosystem is not just an advantage; it’s a necessity. The Block 64 API helps bridge this gap, offering a direct line of communication between our IT inventory and reporting resources and your day-to-day management tools.

Integrate Block 64 data with your existing applications

The API lets you use Block 64 as your single source of asset data. Our open and well documented API makes it easy to connect to your existing CMDB, or to any other system or business processes that would benefit from quality IT asset data.

For example, with our API, data regarding necessary patches can automatically populate in your patch management tool, streamlining the process and ensuring that your systems are always up to date with the latest security measures. This not only saves valuable time but also enhances your system’s security posture by ensuring that vulnerabilities are addressed promptly.

We invite you to explore the benefits of integrating the Block 64 API into your workflow. For more information and to get started. Request a demo, or visit our API support page. Embrace the future of data management and take the first step towards a more integrated, efficient, and secure system today.

The post Block 64’s API integrates with IT management tools first appeared on Block 64.