Zoho Corporation Japan has released “AssetExplorer Cloud,” a cloud-based IT and non-IT asset management tool for enterprises. This release comes amid the spread of hybrid work and the growing complexity of IT environments, which have increased the risk of unmanaged IT assets and license non-compliance, driving up demand for easy-to-implement, full-scale management tools.

Release Overview of the Cloud-Based IT Asset Management Tool AssetExplorer Cloud

Zoho Japan Corp. released “AssetExplorer Cloud,” an integrated management solution for IT and non-IT assets, as a new solution in “ManageEngine,” a suite of IT operations management software developed by its parent company, India-based Zoho Corporation, on September 16, 2026, and officially announced it on October 5 of the same year. This tool is a SaaS-based service that automatically detects hardware and software asset information scattered across multiple locations and diverse departments, realizing centralized management on a single cloud platform. It enables comprehensive ledger management—not only for in-house IT equipment, but also for non-IT assets by leveraging file import and code scanner functions.

Since we have adopted a cloud-based (SaaS) model that does not require building a dedicated server for implementation, you can keep initial costs down and start operations in a short period of time. By combining the reliability and expertise of the ManageEngine brand, which has a track record of over 10,000 domestic license sales, we help strengthen IT governance for a wide range of organizations, from small and medium-sized businesses to large enterprises. As shown in the conceptual diagram below, we achieve visualization of the entire digital infrastructure.

Background of Extracting Features from ServiceDesk Plus Cloud and Transitioning to SaaS

A major feature of AssetExplorer Cloud is that it extracts IT asset management functions from the company’s comprehensive IT Service Management (ITSM) tool, “ServiceDesk Plus Cloud,” and has spun them off and optimized them into the necessary features. Conventionally, to achieve advanced IT Asset Management (ITAM), it was common to deploy expensive on-premises packages or systems from major IT vendors that required complex configurations. However, for many companies, high implementation and maintenance costs, as well as an abundance of unnecessary features, have been barriers to adoption.

Therefore, Zoho Japan specialized it in asset management functions and narrowed it down to necessary and sufficient features, rebuilding it as a reasonably priced SaaS product. This enables even companies with limited IT budgets and dedicated management resources to immediately introduce full-scale IT asset management. Because it is operated on the stable, in-house data center infrastructure of the Zoho Group, which has over 150 million users worldwide, high reliability such as security and a 99.9% uptime rate is also ensured.

Key Features of AssetExplorer Cloud and Strengthening IT Governance

Automated Inventory Discovery and Streamlining Lifecycle Management

AssetExplorer Cloud supports an agentless approach that automatically detects devices connected to the internal network. It eliminates the hassle of administrators having to individually install software on each device, collecting accurate inventory information in real-time to update the asset register. In addition to hardware information such as PCs, servers, and mobile devices, you can comprehensively grasp the software and OS versions installed on each device, as well as license usage status.

It also comes standard with features that visualize the entire lifecycle of IT assets, from request, purchase, allocation, and maintenance to disposal. On the management console screen, you can freely design asset management workflows with intuitive drag-and-drop operations. This enables the automation of different management processes tailored to product types and departments, significantly reducing manual omissions in ledger updates and input errors. Furthermore, the dashboard function utilizing charts and graphs enables the prompt creation of reports for inventory audits and compliance checks.

CMDB Integration and No-Code Business Process Automation

One of the advanced features of AssetExplorer Cloud is the standard inclusion of a Configuration Management Database (CMDB) that provides comprehensive visualization of digital infrastructure. The CMDB centrally manages company-wide configuration items and their relationships, clarifying the dependencies between IT services and infrastructure assets. This makes it possible to instantly identify the business services and related systems that will be affected when a failure occurs in a specific server or network device, enabling prompt root-cause investigation and recovery response.

Furthermore, it supports advanced business process automation through no-code and low-code capabilities. In addition to allowing users to set up periodic checks for loaned assets and automated device assignment rules, it flexibly accommodates company-specific operational rules and integration with other systems by leveraging custom functions and webhooks. This dramatically reduces the administrative burden of tasks such as handling inquiries and manual approval procedures that traditionally occurred in asset management operations. The overall system architecture can be confirmed from the image below.

Resolving Challenges in IT Asset Management and Future Outlook

Addressing Shadow IT and License Violation Risks

In modern corporate IT operations, the use of personal devices and unauthorized cloud services (shadow IT) unknown to the administrative department represents the largest entry point for cyberattacks. Furthermore, software license discrepancies—such as over- or under-licensing—and unaddressed illegal copying constitute major compliance risks that can incur hefty additional penalties during vendor audits. Particularly with the entrenchment of telework and the widespread adoption of hybrid work, tracking the status of devices taken outside the office is impossible with traditional Excel-based ledger management.

AssetExplorer Cloud leverages the unique advantages of a cloud-based solution to track the status of all devices both inside and outside the company in real time, provided there is an internet connection. It links and visualizes license contract information and usage counts, detects unauthorized software, and executes automatic alert notifications when license limits are exceeded. This prevents potential security holes and unauthorized usage risks lurking within the company, simultaneously achieving legal compliance and enhanced security levels.

Key Points for Enterprise Utilization and Future Outlook

Moving forward, the key to successful IT asset management for enterprises goes beyond merely implementing tools; it lies in establishing a continuous operational framework tailored to the asset lifecycle. In the “Magic Quadrant for ITSM Platforms” published by Gartner in July 2026, ManageEngine was named a Challenger, reflecting high recognition of its market track record and vision. Its presence as a platform that balances operation automation leveraging AI technology with a reduction in total cost of ownership (TCO) is growing rapidly.

With the introduction of AssetExplorer Cloud, further functional enhancements are expected in the future, such as seamless integration with its higher-tier ITSM tool counterpart, ServiceDesk Plus Cloud, and advanced automation capabilities powered by its proprietary AI assistant, “Zia.” The role of IT asset management is evolving from mere equipment ledger management into a foundation for driving IT cost optimization and digital transformation (DX). By proceeding with phased implementations tailored to their own IT maturity levels, companies can build secure and efficient digital infrastructures.

Reference Page

• [ManageEngine AssetExplorer Cloud Official Website] https://www.manageengine.jp/products/AssetExplorer/
• [ManageEngine Official Website] https://www.manageengine.jp/

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