PIER Audits Keeping Device Information Up-To-Date

Every year, OCIO conducts a Physical Inventory Equipment Review (PIER) to verify information about assets that OCIO has distributed. This process may be new to many customers who receive managed IT services from OCIO. We try to make the PIER process as easy as possible, and if you have questions, we’re here to help.

What is the PIER audit and why do we do it?

The PIER audit is an annual, automated process. In compliance with university policy, PIER allows end users to verify that our records show the correct assets assigned to their university username. This includes university-owned laptops, desktops, 2-in-1 devices, and iPads that they may use personally for everyday work, as well as other devices assigned to them such as shared student workstations or classroom computers. PIER helps OCIO keep specific device information up-to-date in our system. For end users, it is an opportunity to confirm and update the devices they are responsible for and ensure that no devices are assigned to them that they should not be responsible for and/or have been returned to OCIO.  

What do end users need to know?

We reach out each year to verify asset inventory in departments that receive devices from OCIO. You will receive a message from itservicedesk@osu.edu asking you to confirm that our records are correct – listing (1.) the correct devices (i.e. computers, peripherals, and AV equipment) assigned to you and that (2.) the location and/or room associated with that device are accurate. The email will include a due date for verification and contact information for questions.

In order to verify the asset(s), users follow the steps below:

1. Login to Self Service (https://go.osu.edu/it).
2. Click “To Dos” in the menu on the left side of the screen, and click to select “Agreements.”
3. There will be one Open Agreement for each of the assets that need verified. Click to select “Open Agreements.”
4. Click on the “Asset Agreement.” Read the agreement. Review the information assigned to the device, including:
   1. Asset tag (begins with NC######, and is listed on a label affixed to the device)
   2. Assigned to
   3. Model
   4. Location
   5. Room
5. If you need to change the location (building) or room associated with the device, begin typing in the field that needs to change and select the correct option when it appears.
6. You can select from a series of options either confirming that the information listed is correct or choosing a reason why it is incorrect.
7. Click “Submit.”

If you have more than one asset assigned to you, the next open agreement will appear automatically after you click “Submit.”

If you have any questions about the PIER process, please contact ocioitfinance@osu.edu.