Managing IT devices is no longer just an operational task—it’s a strategic function that directly affects productivity, compliance, and cost control. Every asset, from laptops to IoT devices, requires oversight from the moment it's acquired to when it’s securely decommissioned.
That’s where device lifecycle management (DLM) comes in. This approach helps IT teams automate processes, reduce risk, and maximize the value of every device. According to recent market research, enterprise asset management is expected to grow at a 9.8% CAGR through 2028, reflecting rising demand for structured, efficient IT asset strategies.
In this guide, we’ll explain how DLM works, the five key lifecycle stages, and what to consider when choosing a DLM solution. Whether you manage a handful of remote laptops or thousands of devices across regions, the right system can help you stay compliant, reduce costs, and improve operational control.
What is device lifecycle management?
Device lifecycle management (DLM) is the end-to-end process of overseeing all IT devices, from acquisition to disposal. It covers key stages like planning, procurement, provisioning, maintenance, and secure decommissioning for assets such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and IoT devices.
A well-structured DLM strategy ensures devices are secure, compliant, and cost-effective throughout their life. It helps IT teams minimize downtime, avoid duplicate purchases, and enforce security protocols at every lifecycle stage.
Whether you're managing mobile devices or infrastructure equipment, DLM provides the structure needed to maintain visibility, reduce costs, and optimize performance across your IT asset fleet.
What are the 5 stages of device lifecycle management?
Effective device lifecycle management (DLM) is built around five core stages. Each stage plays a critical role in ensuring IT assets remain secure, cost-efficient, and compliant from start to finish.
- Planning
Assess device needs, forecast future requirements, and audit your current IT inventory. This step prevents shortages, avoids duplicate purchases, and sets the foundation for strategic procurement. - Procurement
Source devices through trusted vendors while balancing cost, performance, and compatibility. Consider vendor relationships, warranty terms, and integration with your existing IT ecosystem. - Provisioning
Configure devices with operating systems, security tools, and user-specific settings. This stage ensures devices are secure and ready for use on day one, especially important for mobile and remote teams. - Maintenance
Regular software updates, patching, repairs, and security monitoring keep devices running efficiently. Preventive maintenance extends device lifespan and reduces unplanned downtime. - Decommissioning & disposal
When a device reaches end-of-life, retire it securely through data wiping, certified recycling, and compliance with environmental and privacy regulations. This protects sensitive information and supports sustainable IT practices.
What are the types of device lifecycle management?
Device lifecycle management strategies vary depending on the type of device being managed. Two primary categories—mobile and IoT—require different approaches to ensure security, efficiency, and compliance across your IT infrastructure.
Mobile device lifecycle management
This approach manages laptops, smartphones, and tablets—devices commonly used by remote or mobile employees. Mobile device lifecycle management covers the entire lifecycle, including procurement, provisioning, maintenance, and secure disposal.
Key elements include:
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Regular software updates and patching
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Security protocols to protect sensitive data
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Centralized control through mobile device management (MDM) software
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Real-time inventory tracking and usage monitoring
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Compliance with privacy and security regulations
IoT device lifecycle management
This approach manages connected devices such as smart TVs, security systems, sensors, and other IoT hardware. These assets often interact with core infrastructure, requiring enhanced oversight.
Key considerations:
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Tailored provisioning and configuration to prevent vulnerabilities
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Regular firmware updates and patching
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Ongoing monitoring to detect anomalies
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Data governance and compliance with industry standards
What are the challenges of device lifecycle management?
Device lifecycle management involves several challenges that organizations must address to ensure effective device management. Key areas of concern include procurement, inventory management, compliance, security, and cost effectiveness.
- Procurement complexity: Sourcing the right devices simultaneously requires coordination with multiple vendors, contract negotiation, and forecasting. Delays or misalignment can lead to device shortages, overspending, or onboarding bottlenecks.
- Inventory management: Maintaining accurate device location, usage, and health records is difficult, especially when managing mobile and IoT fleets. Without real-time inventory tracking, organizations risk underutilization, lost assets, and unplanned downtime.
- Compliance pressure: Organizations must comply with data privacy, retention, and disposal regulations. This includes secure decommissioning, audit trails, and ensuring every device meets security and governance standards across its lifecycle.
- Security risks: Unpatched devices, misconfigured endpoints, or inconsistent provisioning open the door to cyber threats. Security must be enforced at every phase—procurement, provisioning, maintenance, and disposal.
- Cost optimization: Balancing device lifecycle costs—procurement, repairs, replacements, and secure disposal—can be challenging. Without a centralized DLM strategy, companies often overspend or extend asset life beyond acceptable risk thresholds.
What are the benefits of device lifecycle management?
Implementing a structured device lifecycle management (DLM) strategy helps organizations reduce risk, control costs, and get more value from every IT asset. Here are the key benefits:
- Increased efficiency and productivity: Streamlined workflows—from procurement to secure disposal—reduce downtime and manual work. Employees receive fully configured devices faster, improving onboarding and day-to-day performance.
- Improved asset visibility: Centralized inventory tracking gives IT teams real-time insight into device status, software versions, and usage trends. This visibility enables smarter planning, faster troubleshooting, and proactive replacements.
- Better asset utilization: By identifying underused or idle devices, businesses can reassign hardware before making new purchases, extend asset life, and reduce waste.
- Cost Savings: DLM helps eliminate unnecessary purchases, extend device lifespans through maintenance, and reduce surprise costs with predictive planning. It also improves vendor management and contract visibility.
- Access to expert support: DLM providers often offer built-in IT support, automated updates, and secure provisioning tools. This lightens the load on internal IT teams and ensures devices are managed according to best practices.
- Enhanced employee experience: Reliable devices, faster setup times, and fewer tech disruptions lead to higher employee satisfaction, especially in remote or hybrid environments.
What to consider when choosing a DLM solution?
Selecting the right DLM platform is key to controlling costs, ensuring compliance, and supporting long-term IT operations. Here are the core criteria to evaluate:
- Compatibility: Ensure the solution supports all the operating systems and device types your organization uses, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and IoT devices. Broad compatibility prevents gaps in management and oversight.
- Comprehensive features: Look for full lifecycle support: procurement, provisioning, maintenance, inventory tracking, and secure disposal. Advanced features like automated security updates and remote management are essential for scale.
- System integrations: Choose a DLM platform that integrates easily with your HRIS, MDM, procurement tools, and help desk systems. Seamless integration reduces manual work and improves data accuracy.
- Transparent pricing: Beware hidden costs for support, add-ons, or scaling. Make sure pricing is transparent and predictable, especially as your device fleet grows.
- Scalability: Your DLM platform should evolve with your business. Whether you’re onboarding 10 or 1,000 devices, the system should handle volume without compromising speed or control.
How GroWrk handles your device lifecycle management
GroWrk offers a complete device lifecycle management (DLM) solution—from procurement to secure disposal—helping IT teams manage assets at scale while improving cost efficiency and compliance.
- Centralized lifecycle management: GroWrk provides a unified platform to track and manage devices globally. From ordering and shipping to retrieval and recycling, all activity is logged and automated to reduce manual effort and ensure visibility. The platform supports environmental compliance and data protection standards at every stage.
- Procurement and provisioning: GroWrk sources devices through a global vendor network and delivers them pre-configured for your IT environment. Integration with mobile device management (MDM) systems ensures consistent security policies and quick onboarding for new users—no matter where they are.
- Maintenance and ongoing support: Keep your device fleet running smoothly with automated software updates, scheduled repairs, and 24/7 IT support via GroWbot, GroWrk’s AI-powered help desk. This reduces reliance on internal resources while improving issue resolution speed.
- Secure decommissioning and disposal: When devices reach end-of-life, GroWrk handles data wiping, certified recycling, and global device retrievals. Our process ensures full compliance with data privacy laws and environmental regulations—reducing risk and supporting sustainable IT operations.
The GroWrk advantage
Learn how GroWrk has provided device lifecycle management solutions for global teams:
Case study: Mobile marketplace company saves hours in onboarding and solves device retrieval challenges
Challenge:
OfferUp, a leading U.S.-based mobile marketplace, needed to equip contractor support teams across Latin America. Sourcing ABM-enrolled devices locally was time-consuming, and device retrieval during offboarding lacked structure.
Solution:
GroWrk provided a reliable procurement and retrieval solution through its global vendor network. Devices were delivered pre-configured and recovered efficiently when no longer needed.
Impact:
- Reduced onboarding time for contractors
- Improved equipment return rates and recovery logistics
- Significant cost savings through better asset reuse
Read the full case study here.
Case study: Software company seamlessly scaled and set up talent in Latin America
Challenge:
Orium, a global software studio, adopted a remote-first policy and needed to equip new hires across Latin America with consistent, secure IT equipment.
Solution:
GroWrk handled procurement, shipping, MDM integration, local tax compliance, and device recovery across multiple countries—all through one platform.
Impact:
- Scaled IT support for over 180 employees across LATAM
- Improved onboarding experience for remote hires
- Simplified compliance and cross-border asset logistics
Read more about Orium's success with GroWrk.
Why businesses choose GroWrk for device lifecycle management
When your team is global and your workflows complex, GroWrk gives you more than just visibility—it gives you control, automation, and peace of mind.
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One platform, global reach
Manage procurement, provisioning, tracking, maintenance, and disposal in 150+ countries—no third-party handoffs, no patchwork logistics. -
Configurable automation for every stage
Build lifecycle workflows that align with your policies, timelines, and compliance needs—automated device setup, offboarding triggers, and recovery workflows included. -
Data-driven asset decisions
GroWrk’s real-time dashboards and asset-level reporting surface insights on utilization, depreciation, and replacement timing—so you spend smarter, not more. -
Local compliance, built in
Whether it’s GDPR, R2, or regional tax laws, GroWrk handles environmental, financial, and data security compliance as part of the process—not an afterthought. -
White-glove support without premium tiers
Get access to a dedicated support team, 24/7 AI-powered assistance, and fast resolutions—without paying extra for “priority support.”
To learn how you can improve device management and maximize your assets' lifespan, schedule a call with one of our product specialists.