Rippling Launches Remote Computer Inventory Management

Rippling Launches New Inventory Management System

Rippling, a company specializing in a comprehensive platform for employee data management – encompassing areas like payroll, benefits, and device management – has introduced Rippling Inventory Management.

Founder and CEO Parker Conrad describes this new offering as the “world’s first cloud IT closet.”

Automated Device Management

This dashboard facilitates the automated storage, shipment, and retrieval of employee computers, operating in a completely remote and hands-free manner.

Rippling assumes responsibility for storing and monitoring company-owned devices, eliminating the need for traditional on-site “IT closets” or relying on employees’ homes for storage.

Logistics and Device Lifecycle

The system also handles all logistical aspects related to these devices.

This includes secure wiping of data, assigning devices to personnel, and providing prepaid shipping labels for the return of equipment.

Subscription-Based Access

Customers access the dashboard through a per-employee, per-month subscription fee.

This allows them to manage the entire employee lifecycle, from onboarding and offboarding to configuring necessary applications and access permissions on each computer.

Users can also track outstanding shipments and monitor their delivery or return status in real-time.

Backed by Significant Funding

The launch of this product is supported by a substantial $145 million Series B funding round secured in 2020.

This investment resulted in a company valuation of $1.35 billion.

The Rise of Remote Work and the Need for a Solution

The development of the inventory management platform arose from a challenge Rippling observed as remote work became increasingly common over the last 18 months, as Conrad explained to TechCrunch.

Rippling itself previously relied on a physical IT closet, which Conrad views as “the final physical element of employee management.”

Eliminating the Traditional IT Closet

“This effectively eliminates the IT closet,” Conrad stated.

“Companies often lacked a defined process for retrieving devices from former employees when operating remotely.

We even encountered a situation internally where computers were being shipped to a single employee, resulting in a significant accumulation in her apartment.”

Identifying a Growing Problem

The leadership team initially searched for existing inventory management solutions.

They also noted customers expressing the need for such a service on social media platforms.

However, Conrad believes this problem didn’t become truly significant until March 2020.

A Shift in Device Management Practices

Prior to the widespread adoption of remote work, most companies physically handed computers to new hires or collected them directly from departing employees’ desks.

The transition to remote work made it challenging to maintain accurate device tracking and establish efficient return procedures.