What’s driving the future of IT Lifecycle Management in 2025?

IT Lifecycle Management is going through a significant transformation. In 2025, five key forces are driving the shift: AI is streamlining workflows, sustainability is becoming non-negotiable, managing device lifecycles is more complex than ever, cybersecurity threats are evolving fast, and distributed teams are now the norm, not the exception.

To understand how IT teams are navigating these shifts, GroWrk surveyed IT professionals across 11 industries for its State of IT Lifecycle Management 2025 report. The results provide a snapshot of where companies are investing, the challenges they’re facing, and how their strategies are evolving in response to growing operational and environmental pressures.

McKinsey estimates that end-user IT devices like laptops and tablets generate about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, twice the impact of data centers. That stat alone makes it clear: how we manage IT assets today will shape both business outcomes and environmental ones.

Key takeaways

• AI is changing how IT teams work. 59% of companies plan to expand their use of AI for automation, analytics, and IT support, but training and security concerns are still barriers to adoption.
  
  
• Sustainability is now a strategic priority. 63% of organizations are using third-party end-of-life services, and nearly half are recycling or donating used equipment to reduce environmental impact.
  
  
• Lifecycle Management remains the biggest operational challenge. 52% of IT professionals say inventory monitoring is a major pain point, and 41% still struggle with retrieving hardware after offboarding.
  
  
• Cybersecurity risks are growing in complexity. While 74% of companies use encryption, only 35% rate their security posture as “strong,” especially as remote work expands the threat surface.
  
  
• Distributed work is the new normal. 57% of IT leaders expect hybrid teams to be the standard within five years, requiring more adaptable ITAM strategies and global coordination.

What is IT Lifecycle Management?

IT Lifecycle Management (LCM) is the strategic process of planning, procuring, deploying, maintaining, and retiring technology assets across their entire lifespan. This includes everything from laptops and mobile devices to software licenses, cloud tools, and peripherals.

By managing IT assets proactively from acquisition to disposal, organizations can enhance performance, mitigate risk, and ensure that every device or tool supports their business goals.

Key stages of IT Lifecycle Management

Note: 44% of IT teams now rely on third-party providers for device retrieval—a sign of how complex this final stage has become.

Why Lifecycle Management matters

Managing the IT lifecycle isn’t just about tracking hardware—it’s about keeping systems secure, costs under control, and teams productive. When done well, Lifecycle Management ensures that every device and software license delivers value from day one to end-of-life.

Below are the core benefits, backed by real-world data from GroWrk’s 2025 survey:

Benefits of IT Lifecycle Management

2025 trends in IT Lifecycle Management

The way companies manage IT assets is evolving fast. Five major trends are shaping how organizations plan, deploy, and retire devices in 2025—each driven by new technologies, global workforce shifts, and rising expectations around sustainability and security.

1. AI is reshaping IT operations

No one wants to waste time manually updating spreadsheets or chasing down device status. In 2025, AI is stepping in to automate the repetitive work—from routing support tickets to forecasting inventory needs before things run out.

IT teams are already putting it to use:

• 59% are automating tasks like device enrollment and monitoring
  
  
• 48% use AI-powered analytics for smarter reporting
  
  
• 39% rely on AI-driven tools for IT support
  
  

But it’s not all seamless. Many teams still feel undertrained, and 61% cite data privacy as a top concern. Some are throwing real budget behind this shift—nearly 1 in 5 companies plan to allocate more than 70% of their IT budget to AI in 2025.

🛠️ Picture this: An AI model flags that a team in Berlin is likely to run out of devices next quarter—before IT even files a request.

So what? AI is no longer a buzzword. It’s the backbone of faster, leaner IT operations.

2. Sustainability is now a strategic priority

IT teams are being asked to do more than keep systems running—they’re being asked to keep them green. What used to be a nice-to-have is now on the boardroom agenda, and lifecycle management is at the forefront.

Here’s what companies are doing about it:

• 63% plan to use third-party end-of-life services
  
  
• 54% are recycling disposed of assets
  
  
• 44% plan to donate used hardware instead of tossing it
  
  

Sustainability isn’t just internal; 50% of companies now consider environmental standards when choosing IT vendors. And with e-waste expected to hit 82 million tons by 2030, there’s no room for delay.

♻️ One team we spoke with said switching to redeployment-first policies helped them cut device spend by 18%—and reduce shipping emissions at the same time.

So what? Green IT is no longer a side project. It’s a requirement—and a cost-saver.

3. Lifecycle complexity is the top ITAM challenge

If you’re managing a remote team and still using spreadsheets, you’re not alone—but you're probably overwhelmed. Lifecycle Management remains the biggest pain point for IT teams, especially when employees are spread across countries, tools are siloed, and retrievals are messy.

Here’s what teams are dealing with:

• 52% say inventory monitoring is their top challenge
  
  
• 50% cite global procurement as a bottleneck
  
  
• 41% report ongoing headaches retrieving hardware after offboarding
  
  

Even now, 15% of companies still rely on spreadsheets to track IT assets. Half have moved to third-party platforms—but visibility gaps and manual processes still slow things down.

💬 One IT manager told us the biggest loss last year wasn’t hardware—it was time spent chasing it.

So what? If your team can’t see what it owns or where it is, everything else breaks down.

4. Security Is getting harder to maintain

As work gets more flexible and AI gets smarter, your risk surface gets bigger. More endpoints, more tools, more chances for something to slip through. That’s why IT security is no longer just about software—it’s about lifecycle visibility.

Most teams are taking at least basic steps:

• 74% use encryption
  
  
• 63% offer employee security training
  
  
• 61% are concerned about AI-related data privacy risks
  
  

But here’s the reality: only 35% of companies rate their security posture as “strong.” And while tools like Intune and Jamf help, the real test is how quickly teams recover from incidents. For most, it takes over 30 minutes—and for 4%, it takes more than 3 hours.

🔐 When one device goes missing during offboarding, it’s not just lost hardware—it’s a potential data breach.

So what? A strong security posture starts with strong IT lifecycle controls—especially when your workforce is global.

5. Remote and hybrid work are the new normal

IT management used to revolve around an office. Now, there is no “office.” With teams working across time zones, countries, and continents, lifecycle operations have to stretch—and scale.

Where companies stand:

• 57% of IT leaders expect hybrid to be the default by 2030
  
  
• 52% already operate in 6+ countries
  
  
• 35% say employees refusing to return devices is the top retrieval issue
  
  

That means IT teams are dealing with international shipping, customs, retrieval coordination, and lost devices—all while supporting employees who might never step foot in an HQ.

🌍 One IT director said their biggest win this year was creating a global retrieval process—because now they know where every device is, and how to get it back.

So what? Distributed work isn’t going away. Your lifecycle systems have to be just as flexible.

How IT teams can prepare for what’s next

The challenges are big, but the path forward is clear. Teams that modernize their device, data, and distributed team management will be the ones who scale smarter and stay ahead. Here’s how to get started:

1. Automate wherever possible

Still spending hours on manual inventory updates or ticket triage? Let automation handle the basics. AI tools can flag hardware issues, route requests, and forecast inventory—without IT lifting a finger.

9% of companies plan to dedicate 70–89% of their IT budgets to AI in 2025.

🛠️ Example: One mid-sized team automated device enrollment and cut onboarding time in half.

So what? Free up your team to focus on strategy, not spreadsheets.

2. Centralize visibility across the lifecycle

The biggest risk in ITAM? Not knowing what you have—or where it is. A centralized platform gives teams the visibility to monitor devices across every stage, from procurement to disposal.

Only 24% of organizations use an in-house ITAM platform, while 15% still rely on spreadsheets.

🔍 A global company told us they had over 40 unaccounted-for devices last year—just from offboarding gaps.

So what? If you can’t track it, you can’t secure it or optimize it.

3. Build sustainability into your asset strategy

It’s not just about being green—it’s about being responsible with budgets, vendors, and long-term strategy. Set default policies to redeploy, recycle, and partner with green-certified providers.

50% of organizations already factor vendor sustainability into purchasing decisions.

♻️ Teams using device buyback programs are recovering value from assets they used to discard.

So what? Sustainable practices reduce waste, improve ESG performance, and save money.

4. Tighten offboarding and retrieval workflows

Offboarding shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. Whether you’re retrieving a device from Tokyo or Toronto, you need a repeatable, compliant process that doesn’t leave hardware—or data—unaccounted for.

44% of companies rely on third-party providers for retrieval; 13% let employees keep the devices.GroWrk Report State of …

🚚 One startup avoided a legal dispute by switching to a global retrieval partner with tracking and proof of return.

So what? A structured retrieval plan prevents asset loss, data exposure, and compliance risk.

How GroWrk supports IT Lifecycle Management in 2025

GroWrk helps modern IT teams manage the full asset lifecycle—from global provisioning to secure, sustainable disposal—with automation, visibility, and compliance built in. Here's how:

• Global provisioning, simplified
  Deploy pre-configured devices to employees in 150+ countries using GroWrk’s distributed warehousing and logistics network—no customs issues, no long delays.
  
  
• Automated onboarding and offboarding
  Trigger shipments and retrievals automatically via HRIS or ITSM integrations. Close lifecycle loops without manual follow-ups or asset loss.
  
  
• Real-time asset visibility
  Track devices from purchase to retirement in a centralized dashboard. See where every asset is, who owns it, and what’s due for maintenance or disposal.
  
  
• Sustainable, certified ITAD
  Recycle, resell, or donate devices through GroWrk’s certified partners. Receive full audit trails, CO₂ impact data, and disposal certificates to support ESG goals.
  
  
• Built-in compliance for global teams
  Align with SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001, and local e-waste laws. Every device lifecycle is logged, certified, and fully traceable for internal and external audits.
  
  
• Scales with your team—everywhere
  Whether you’re hiring in Berlin or offboarding in São Paulo, GroWrk adapts instantly. Manage complex global operations without added headcount or overhead.

Ready to streamline your entire IT lifecycle? Book a demo and see how GroWrk can simplify your global operations.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between IT Asset Management and IT Lifecycle Management?

IT Asset Management (ITAM) focuses on tracking and optimizing the use of technology resources like laptops, licenses, and cloud tools. IT Lifecycle Management (LCM) is broader—it covers every stage of those assets, from planning and procurement to disposal and recycling.

Why is IT Lifecycle Management important for remote teams?

Remote and hybrid workforces make it harder to track who has what equipment, and where. IT Lifecycle Management ensures that devices are properly deployed, monitored, and retrieved, thereby reducing security risks and inventory gaps across multiple locations.

How does AI help with IT Lifecycle Management?

AI tools can automate repetitive tasks, such as  asset tracking, ticket routing, and usage reporting. In 2025, companies are also using AI for predictive maintenance, inventory forecasting, and smarter decision-making based on real-time data.

What are the environmental benefits of better Lifecycle Management?

Sustainable lifecycle strategies help reduce e-waste by extending device usage, redeploying functioning equipment, and ensuring secure recycling or donation. This reduces carbon emissions and aligns IT with ESG goals.

What tools or platforms support IT Lifecycle Management?

Many organizations use third-party ITAM platforms, mobile device management (MDM) tools, or integrated lifecycle systems. Common solutions include Intune, Jamf, and full-service providers like GroWrk that offer end-to-end global lifecycle support.