Employee discovers 100 company laptops were stolen after boss refuses to invest in asset management software, uses it to strengthen their case: ‘I just want to do my job’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Mar 18, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

When working in a large company, it can be quite a challenge to track every single thing that belongs to the company.

Say a company has 2000 employees, which is actually not considered a very large company. Yet even so, if every single one of those employees is entitled to get a company laptop, or a company phone, those are at least 2000 quite expensive devices that are out and about every day. Then you need to add all the products that are in the company building, and you quickly realize keeping track of them is a whole mess of bureaucracy and overall headache. 

Still, if one laptop goes missing, nobody would probably notice. Same goes for 10, 50, and maybe even a 100. But where should a company draw the line? At what point do they decide that a tracking system must be built in order to prevent a mess like this?

Well, the employee in the story below is trying to find out, because after they discovered 100 of the company's laptops disappeared, they decided it's time to do something about it.

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  • This story is split into two separate posts. The first was this employee's call for help, asking people for ideas on how to convince their boss to invest in an asset management software, The second post followed with the update on the stolen laptops, and resulted in a lot of helpful tips from commenters, so make sure to read it all they way through!

  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10479701760
    via Helena Lopes

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    "How do you convince your boss to invest in asset management software?"

    So I'm trying to get my boss on board with investing in actual asset management software, but they're stuck in the "Excel works fine" mindset. Meanwhile, our current setup is a mess―
    via CoryKellis
  • 03
    multiple people editing different tabs, color-coded chaos, and a never-ending struggle to keep things accurate.
    via CoryKellis
  • 04
    Recap: I did a quick audit... and found over 100 missing laptops.
    via CoryKellis
  • 05
    Remember my last post about trying to convince my boss to invest in asset management software?
    via CoryKellis
  • 06
    In case you missed it, I was dealing with the "Excel works fine" mindset, with chaos all around and no way to keep things accurate.
    via CoryKellis
  • 07
    Following some of the advice you all gave me, I did a quick audit of our assets-just comparing what we've purchased vs what's been
    via CoryKellis
  • 08
    recycled-and here's the crazy part: over 100 laptops have gone missing in the past 4 years. I'm trying to figure out if there is anything else I can do
    via CoryKellis
  • 09
    to strengthen my case. Send tips if you have anything that's worked for you.
    via CoryKellis
  • 10
    nowtryreboot If I were you, I'd be more worried about data theft.
    via nowtryreboot
  • 11
    CoryKellis OP Yes, focusing on the security aspect might be the solution here.
    via CoryKellis
  • 12
    Emergency Trick_4930 customer or own company pcs? if customers, well i have seen worse.
    via Emergency_Trick_4930
  • 13
    CoryKellis OP Own company pcs! That's why I'm so concerned.
    via CoryKellis
  • 14
    evantom34 My boss thinks the same thing. Our excel is rarely updated and never reflects what is truly out in the field. Asset Management really only goes as far as the people that work with them take it.
    via evantom34
  • 15
    CoryKellis OP Totally feel you. It's frustrating, I just want to do my job properly.
    via CoryKellis
  • 16
    silentdon If you have been working there for any significant portion of those 4 years, and are in charge of inventory, then you will be on the hook for those missing laptops. Tread carefully.
    via silentdon
  • 17
    CoryKellis OP Luckily, I'm new to the role, so I'm not on the hook for those missing laptops. I'm just trying to make sure everything is in order moving forward.
    via CoryKellis
  • 18
    xpdx I agree you need asset tracking, and you need to actually track it, but in most places 4 year old laptops are essentially worthless as a business asset. They depreciate wicked fast and really end up being an e-waste liability shortly after. Whoever is stealing them is doing you a favor. ;)
    via xpdx
  • 19
    CoryKellis OP I agree with you, but at the very least, having a report on what happened to them would be helpful. Even knowing if they were decommissioned or recycled would make a big difference. It's more about accountability and ensuring there's some kind of record in place.
    via CoryKellis
  • 20
    d3rpderp It's not your money. Worry about what you're working on now rather than 100 old laptops.
    via d3rpderp
  • 21
    CoryKellis OP My concern is that this could come back to me later if something goes wrong with asset management. I want to make sure everything is in order to avoid any issues with my performance down the line.
    via CoryKellis
  • 22
    Cheezburger Image 10479702272
    via vm
  • 23
    Present-Winter213 Install IT asset management tools really gonna helps you. I was using Snipe-IT then I found GLPI it works way better for me to manage. Excel were really headache for me because the asset we were purchasing annually is like around 500-1000 as we are outsourced call centre
    via Present-Winter213
  • 24
    CoryKellis OP Yeah, I've been trying to convince my boss to get proper asset management software so we can avoid these kinds of issues. Thanks for the recommendation! Will check it out.
    via CoryKellis
  • 25
    gregsting Check your boss's garage
    via gregsting
  • 26
    CoryKellis OP I wouldn't be surprised if I found a few laptops there lol
    via CoryKellis
  • 27
    numtini 100 out of how many?! That doesn't sound like casual theft. It sounds like someone stealing in an organized manner. Or that they're not getting accurately accounted for as recycled.
    via numtini
  • 28
    Or something weird like massive staff turnover (I worked somewhere with 130% annual turnover and can see that happening there) and not pushing for returns.
    via numtini
  • 29
    sysspl Do you have a RMM tool? We just track our assets in there. We're a small/busy team so we don't track things like monitors or periphials but we use NinjaRMM and from there I audit devices that have gone offline
    via sysspl
  • 30
    for a long period of time, and remove things only when I know they are being decom for 100% certain. Not the best but it works, if your boss is against investing in asset management you could try going that route.
    via sysspl
  • 31
    CoryKellis OP Not yet, unfortunately. They're still stuck in the 'Excel works fine' mindset.
    via CoryKellis

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boss workplace-stories employee manager job tales-from-the-workplace technology system reddit story ceo computer workplace Tech Reddit company laptop money
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