220-1102 Question 652
Single answerAsset tags and IDsA technician is preparing 40 new laptops for deployment in a company that tracks equipment through an inventory database. The laptops already have manufacturer serial numbers, but the IT manager wants each device to be quickly identifiable during audits, support calls, and theft investigations without relying on the original packaging. Which action should the technician take FIRST to support proper asset management?
- A
Attach a company-issued asset tag with a unique ID to each laptop and record that ID in the inventory system
- B
Rename each laptop in the operating system to match the employee who will receive it
- C
Record only the manufacturer serial number because it is already unique to each laptop
- D
Place a department sticker on each laptop and track devices by office location
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
The best first step is to apply a unique company asset tag and enter that identifier into the asset inventory system. In practice, organizations commonly track both the internal asset tag and the manufacturer serial number, but the internal asset tag is designed for fast identification and consistent lifecycle management. This aligns with common IT asset management best practices: assign a unique identifier, label the device physically, and maintain records that map the asset ID to device details, user assignment, location, warranty information, and disposal status. For A+ Core 2, asset tags and IDs are used to support inventory control, audits, device assignment, and loss prevention.
- A. Correct.
Correct. A company-issued asset tag with a unique identifier is a standard asset-management practice. It provides a quick, visible way to identify the device during audits, support, moves, and recovery efforts. Recording that asset ID in the inventory system creates an internal tracking reference that can be tied to the user, location, purchase date, warranty details, and service history.
- B. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Computer names can be useful for management and remote administration, but they are not a substitute for physical asset tags. Device names can change, may not be visible when the laptop is powered off, and should not be tied too closely to a specific user because assignments can change over time.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. The manufacturer serial number is important and should be documented, but relying on it alone is less practical for day-to-day inventory control. Serial numbers may be harder to find quickly, may require powering on the device or flipping it over, and are not the same as an internally managed asset ID used by the organization.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A department sticker or location-based label is not specific enough for individual asset tracking. Devices are often reassigned, relocated, or loaned to other users, so tracking by department or office location alone does not provide reliable unique identification.