Which hardware asset attribute should be tracked separately from a configuration item (CI)?

The distinction between an asset and a Configuration Item (CI) is key in ITAM and ITSM. An asset record tracks financial and contractual information throughout the item's lifecycle. A warranty is a contractual attribute, defining the terms of support and replacement, and is therefore tracked on the hardware asset record. Technical specifications like memory, CPU, operating system, and IP address are operational attributes necessary for IT service management and are tracked on the CI record.

A. Memory: This is a technical specification of a computer and is tracked on the CI record for operational management.
B. CPU: This is a core technical component specification and is tracked on the CI record.
C. Operating system: This is operational software information essential for service management and is tracked on the CI record.
E. IP address: This is a network configuration detail, which is operational information tracked on the CI record (specifically, the Network Adapter CI).

- ServiceNow Product Documentation, "Differences between enterprise asset and IT asset management," docs.servicenow.com. This page clarifies that IT assets track contractual data like warranties.

- ServiceNow Product Documentation, "Create a hardware asset," docs.servicenow.com. The fields on the Hardware Asset form include warrantyexpiration. The corresponding CI form focuses on technical attributes.