Best IT Asset Management Solutions for Campus Device Theft Prevention

If you’ve managed devices across a K–12 district or university, you already know the pattern: theft doesn’t happen because IT didn’t care — it happens because campuses are dynamic, devices are shared, and custody breaks down at the busiest moments (start of day, testing windows, library rush, repairs, last-period returns).

That’s why the most effective device theft prevention programs use a layered stack:

1. ITAM (system of record) — what you own, where it should be, who it’s assigned to, and the audit trail that proves it.
   
   
2. MDM/endpoint (system of action) — remote lock/wipe, lost mode, compliance policies, and recovery steps when a device goes missing. Microsoft documents these remote actions and “Locate”/Lost Mode workflows in Intune.
   
   
3. Physical custody + workflow enforcement (system of accountability) — controlled access, secure storage, and check-in/check-out that eliminates “grab-and-go” loss. LocknCharge’s FUYL workflows are explicitly built around self-serve access to shared devices, controlled via PIN/RFID in managed mode, and structured check-out/check-in flows.

The goal isn’t to pick a single best ITAM vendor for theft prevention. It’s to pick the best-fit ITAM with the best-fit MDM combined with the right physical security layer for your campus risk profile and staffing model.

This guide compares seven IT asset management platforms that are commonly evaluated for campus environments — and shows how to pair them with physical security and MDM to reduce device loss, speed recovery, and improve accountability.

Quick definitions

• IT Asset Management (ITAM): practices + software to track, manage, and safeguard technology assets through their lifecycle (procure → deploy → maintain → retire). ITAM excels at inventory, assignments, audits, and reporting.
  
  
• Device discovery: finding devices automatically (agent-based or agentless scanning) and reconciling inventory drift. ServiceNow Discovery is explicitly designed to populate/maintain the CMDB through scheduled discovery runs.
  
  
• Check-in/check-out workflow: logging custody changes (loaner issued, returned, moved to repair, etc.) so “who had it last” isn’t guesswork. Snipe-IT documents asset checkout/check-in as a core workflow (including interfaces and API endpoints).
  
  
• MDM Lost Mode / Locate: remote actions that can lock a device and (depending on platform/device state) report location. Jamf’s Lost Mode is described as an MDM command that locks a supervised mobile device and reports its last coordinates.
  
  
• Physical custody controls: secure storage + access controls + logs that reduce opportunity theft and make shared-device programs workable at scale. FUYL’s check-out/check-in workflow is designed specifically to preload shared devices and allow authorized users to check them out and return them.

At-a-glance comparison table: What matters for theft prevention

Where LocknCharge fits: it’s not competing as the CMDB/discovery ITAM in this list — it’s the physical custody and workflow layer that pairs with these platforms to close theft gaps in shared-device programs.

LocknCharge: Physical security and smart workflows that reduce device loss

Most ITAM tools are excellent at records and audits, while most MDM tools are excellent at policy and remote actions. The weak point on campus is usually custody — the messy, real-world moment when a device is handed out, returned late, placed “temporarily” on a counter, or left in an unsecured storage room.

LocknCharge addresses that last-mile risk with rugged physical infrastructure (charging carts and smart lockers) and automation built around education workflows — so secure storage and accountability aren’t “extra work,” they’re the default.

What makes LocknCharge a game-changer for device theft prevention

Most ITAM platforms help you document what happened. LocknCharge helps you prevent the most common campus failure mode: unsecured shared devices.

LocknCharge combines rugged, education-ready hardware with workflow automation designed for high-volume device movement:

• Secure storage for shared pools so devices aren’t left out during rush moments
• Controlled access (identity-based access patterns such as PIN/RFID in managed mode)
• Check-out/check-in workflows that create a clear custody trail without adding staff overhead
• Accountability by default—the system is designed so staff and students can follow the process consistently

This is especially useful for:

• Loaner programs (library/IT front desk overflow)
• Testing fleets
• Repair/triage staging
• After-hours pickup/returns
• Shared classroom sets that rotate between staff

For IT leaders, the practical value is simple: fewer missing devices, less time spent chasing returns, and faster incident response because custody history is clearer.

Example: How LocknCharge pairs with your ITAM + MDM stack

1. Your ITAM platform stores asset record, barcode ID, status, and assignment group.
   
   
2. LocknCharge enforces physical custody: only authorized users can access devices, and checkout/return is logged.
   
   
3. Your MDM handles remote actions if a device doesn’t return: Intune “Locate”/Lost Mode flows or Jamf Lost Mode for Apple supervised devices, depending on your environment.

That’s the theft-prevention stack campuses can actually run day-to-day — without requiring heroic staff effort.

1. Asset Panda

Asset Panda is a strong fit for campuses that need mobile-first audits and field workflows. Asset Panda’s own materials highlight mobile auditing with built-in barcode scanning and an available offline mode.

Why it’s useful for theft prevention

• Faster audits reduce long gaps where a missing device goes unnoticed
• Barcode-based workflows improve inventory accuracy and custody updates
• Offline mode helps teams complete audits even in low-connectivity buildings

Best-fit campus use cases

• Multi-building districts and universities
• Departments that need to perform frequent “spot audits”
• Environments moving away from spreadsheets toward repeatable processes

Watch-out: Asset Panda improves detection and accountability, but it doesn’t physically prevent removal. For shared pools, pair it with controlled storage and check-out/check-in enforcement.

2. Snipe-IT

Snipe-IT is a budget-friendly, open-source ITAM choice that works well when you want practical asset records and custody history without enterprise licensing. It’s explicitly positioned as an open-source system for managing assets and inventory.

Why IT teams choose it for campus programs

Watch-out: Snipe-IT isn’t primarily a discovery engine. If inventory drift is a major pain point, pair it with a discovery tool and a consistent audit process.

3. ServiceNow ITAM

ServiceNow ITAM is an enterprise-grade option for large universities and complex environments that want ITAM tightly integrated with ITSM, procurement, and CMDB governance. When theft prevention depends on organization-wide consistency (multiple departments, multiple campuses), CMDB-led governance can be a real advantage.

ServiceNow Discovery is designed to populate and maintain CMDB records through scheduled discovery and reconciliation workflows.

Where it shines for theft prevention

• Consistent lifecycle governance across many stakeholders
• Strong reporting and process automation
• Reconciliation across multiple data sources and systems

Watch-out: the implementation overhead is real. Teams without dedicated ITSM resources often get faster wins from a lighter ITAM plus strong custody controls for shared pools.

4. Jamf Pro

Jamf Pro is a leading choice for Apple-centric education environments. It’s particularly relevant to theft prevention because it supports Lost Mode on supervised mobile devices, and Jamf describes Lost Mode as allowing a supervised device to be locked down and its coordinates reported back to Jamf Pro.

Where Jamf helps most

• Enforcing security policies and compliance
• Rapid response actions when devices are lost or stolen
• Strong Apple fleet visibility and management workflows

Jamf vs Intune for campus theft prevention

If your campus is primarily Apple, Jamf is often the most specialized fit for iPad-heavy environments. If you run a mixed fleet or Microsoft-centric environment, Intune may be the better “single pane” MDM/endpoint layer.

Either way, MDM is best at response; custody controls reduce incident volume in the first place.

5. ManageEngine AssetExplorer

ManageEngine AssetExplorer is a pragmatic mid-market ITAM option with scanning and audit capabilities that help teams find gaps in inventory. ManageEngine documents scanning approaches that help discover and inventory assets across environments.

Why it’s useful for theft prevention

• Improves inventory completeness
• Supports audit reporting and documentation for incidents
• Helps surface unmanaged devices and reconciliation issues (configuration-dependent)

Watch-out: like most ITAM tools, it benefits greatly from consistent custody workflows — especially for loaners and shared pools.

6. Lansweeper

Lansweeper is well-known for discovery-led visibility. Their product materials emphasize asset discovery and scanning methods to identify devices on the network.

Theft-prevention value

• Reduces blind spots by identifying devices you didn’t know existed
• Supports faster reconciliation after incidents
• Helps surface anomalies that signal elevated risk

Watch-out: Lansweeper isn’t a lending workflow tool. For loaners/testing pools, pair it with ITAM lending workflows and a custody enforcement layer.

7. InvGate Asset Management

InvGate is a user-friendly, no-code ITAM platform designed to lower adoption friction. It also supports using Microsoft Intune as a discovery source to incorporate Intune-managed devices into asset inventory.

Why it’s relevant for campuses

• Easier rollout and adoption for smaller teams
• Practical audit and discovery workflows
• Integrates well into IT support operations

Watch-out: fast deployment doesn’t replace process discipline. Labeling, audits, and consistent custody workflows still drive outcomes.

LocknCharge strengthens campus device security with durable storage and education-ready workflows that complement the software layer (ITAM and MDM).

Integrating ITAM with mobile device management for theft recovery

MDM turns ITAM from a “system of record” into a “system of action.” In simple terms: ITAM tells you what you own, who it’s assigned to, and where it should be; MDM helps you take immediate steps — like locking or wiping — when something goes missing.

Example recovery scenario:

• ITAM flags a missing laptop after a failed return scan.
• A rule alerts security and triggers an MDM action to lock the device.
• If location data is available, security sees the last known signal.
• Access logs and device history support follow-up, and the incident is documented end-to-end.

FAQ

What are the essential ITAM features to prevent device theft on campus?

Automated discovery, check-in/check-out workflows, barcode/RFID tagging, mobile/offline audits, and MDM integration for remote lock/wipe (and, where available, location).

How can IT asset management platforms support device recovery after theft?

They maintain assignment and custody history, flag anomalies, trigger alerts, and integrate with MDM to take immediate action while generating incident-ready reports.

What role does physical security play alongside ITAM software in theft prevention?

Secure lockers and carts reduce unauthorized removal, while ITAM/MDM provide visibility, accountability, and recovery tools — together creating a layered defense.

How do ITAM solutions integrate with existing campus IT infrastructure?

Most connect through APIs and connectors to networks, identity systems, MDM/endpoint tools, and reporting platforms to centralize inventory and actions.

Are there affordable ITAM options suitable for small to mid-sized campuses?

Yes. Snipe-IT and InvGate are often cost-effective starting points, and platforms like Asset Panda can scale as needs expand.