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A Guide to Cloud Asset Management: Top 10 Cloud Asset Management Tools in 2025
Originally Published:
February 5, 2025
Last Updated:
March 27, 2025
8 Minutes
Cloud Asset Management
What is Cloud Asset Management?
Cloud Asset Management (CAM) is the process of tracking, optimizing, and governing cloud resources, including infrastructure, applications, and data storage. It helps organizations gain visibility into their cloud usage, control costs, ensure compliance, and prevent security risks. With cloud environments constantly evolving, effective asset management is essential for maintaining efficiency and reducing waste.
Understanding the Relationship Between Cloud Asset Management and Digital Transformation Strategies
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, cloud asset management is crucial for any business aiming to thrive. As companies embark on digital transformation journeys, the cloud serves as a fundamental component for achieving their strategic objectives. This may involve hosting their own applications and data or leveraging third-party solutions like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.
The Need for Flexibility and Reliability
With digital transformation efforts in full swing, flexibility and reliability of IT resources can't be overstated. Businesses are increasingly adopting a multi-cloud approach, utilizing multiple cloud providers to enhance reliability and optimize performance. In fact, more than 89% of organizations have embraced this strategy. Many also opt for a hybrid model, integrating both private and public clouds to better meet their needs.
Managing Cloud Expenses
However, successful digital transformation isn't just about adopting cloud technologies. It's also about effectively managing expenses. Organizations often find themselves exceeding their cloud budgets, with public cloud services spending averaging 13% over budget. This is where cloud asset management becomes indispensable. By keeping track of cloud resources and their associated costs, companies can make informed decisions that align with their financial and strategic goals.
Cloud Asset Management: A Pillar of Success
In essence, cloud asset management isn't just a side component—it's a cornerstone of digital transformation strategies. It ensures that businesses can scale efficiently, control costs, and maintain the agility needed to adapt to ever-changing market demands. By placing cloud asset management at the forefront of digital initiatives, companies can drive sustainable growth and innovation.
Why Do You Need Cloud Asset Management?
Managing cloud assets is crucial for organizations due to:
Cost Optimization: Avoiding over-provisioning and eliminating unused cloud resources.
Security & Compliance: Ensuring governance and adherence to industry regulations.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlining workflows and automating resource allocation.
Visibility & Control: Gaining insights into cloud usage and preventing shadow IT.
When an organization embarks on a cloud migration journey, several critical questions need thoughtful consideration to ensure a smooth transition. Here's what you should be ready to address:
Current Asset Management
Asset Disposition: Determine the fate of existing infrastructure. Will you retire, depreciate, or transfer current assets? This decision can significantly impact your financial strategies.
Financial Implications
Cost Savings Analysis: Examine if the cloud migration aligns with your cost-reduction goals. Assess its impact on your financial statements, especially on your balance sheet.
Technical Compatibility
Optimization of Legacy Applications: Evaluate whether your existing applications are designed for effective cloud deployment. This involves scrutinizing their architecture for cloud compatibility.
Visibility and Integration
Hybrid Environment Management: Ensure that you have comprehensive visibility across both your existing and new cloud environments. Understanding interdependencies at every stage—pre-migration, during, and post-migration—is crucial for maintaining operational integrity.
Planning for Provider Transition
Exit Strategy Development: For organizations moving from one cloud provider to another, it's vital to develop a robust exit strategy. This should address issues around contract terms, data ownership, vendor responsibilities, and the execution of post-migration cleanup.
By preparing answers to these questions, your organization can confidently navigate the complexities of cloud migration, minimizing risks and maximizing the benefits of cloud technology.
Managing cloud-related costs effectively is crucial for organizations aiming to maximize return on investment and prevent unexpected budget overruns. Here’s how you can achieve this:
Embrace Cost Governance
To steer clear of bill shock, it's vital to implement robust governance strategies. Regularly scrutinize billing reports with a team of stakeholders. This practice ensures that usage aligns with business goals and that expenses contribute to value creation.
Understand and Monitor Usage
Implement Usage Controls: Ensure that your cloud services have strict usage controls to prevent unanticipated expenses. Monitor usage patterns and set thresholds for alerts when costs approach predefined limits.
Analyze Capacity Needs: Often, cloud budgets swell due to inefficient capacity planning. Carefully plan for capacity by tracking demand trends and aligning them with service scaling. This can prevent over-provisioning or under-utilization of resources.
Optimize Resource Utilization
Leverage Discount Options: Take advantage of long-term discount schemes offered by cloud providers. This step can significantly reduce costs over time.
Refine Auto-Scaling Parameters: Ensure that auto-scaling settings are finely tuned to handle demand fluctuations accurately, thereby eliminating excessive production headroom.
Design Efficiency
Regular Code and Architecture Reviews: Routine evaluations of your cloud architecture and code can help identify inefficiencies that may lead to unnecessary resource consumption. Continually refine these elements for better performance and cost-effectiveness.
Key Recommendations
Define Clear Requirements: Before adopting any cloud service, have a well-defined understanding of your organizational needs. Compare multiple providers to find the best fit.
Align Licensing with Operational Timelines: Carefully review licensing agreements and synchronize them with your operational schedules to avoid resource wastage.
Develop Demand Tracking Capabilities: Invest in systems that allow you to track demand over time, facilitating proactive management of resource scaling.
By implementing these strategies, organizations can effectively manage cloud costs, ensuring that investments yield expected returns without financial surprises.
Navigating Cloud Asset Onboarding: Risks and Considerations
Migrating to the cloud is a strategic move that can transform IT operations, but it's not without its challenges. Understanding the risks and considerations involved is crucial for a successful transition.
Key Risks in Cloud Migration
Legacy System Complexities:
Many legacy applications are deeply embedded with mission-critical functions and complexities that have developed over time. Transitioning these systems to the cloud can be risky if not handled carefully.
Technology Limitations:
Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) may not have the necessary technology to seamlessly support older systems, especially in direct lift-and-shift scenarios. This can complicate the migration process.
Knowledge Gaps:
Existing IT staff might lack the necessary expertise in cloud technologies, leading to potential missteps.
System Dependencies:
A comprehensive understanding of system dependencies is often missing, increasing the risk of interruptions during migration.
Data Transmission Concerns:
The risk of data loss due to transmission failures, software or hardware issues, and human errors remains a significant concern.
Vendor Misalignments:
Misunderstandings in vendor contracts can lead to discrepancies in expectations and responsibilities, necessitating careful review of terms.
Mitigation Strategies
Develop a Legacy Migration Strategy:
Analyze the pros and cons of different migration options such as lift-and-shift versus rearchitecting, tailored to your specific needs.
Conduct Skills and Knowledge Assessments:
Implement training programs and staffing plans to bridge the skills gap within your IT workforce.
Use Comprehensive Configuration Management:
Establish a formal configuration management process to capture business services and dependencies, ensuring a smooth transition.
Pre-Migration Testing and Compliance:
Conduct thorough pre-migration tests to identify vulnerabilities. Ensure data complies with retention policies to prevent loss.
Review Vendor Contracts Thoroughly:
Perform due diligence to ensure all parties clearly understand accountabilities and contract terms to avoid future conflicts.
Considerations for Successful Cloud Integration
Asset Management:
Decide effectively on how to handle existing assets—whether through retirement, depreciation, or transferring ownership.
Cost Implications:
If cost savings drive cloud migration, verify how the move impacts the financial balance sheet in the current reality.
Architecture Evaluation:
Assess if legacy applications possess the right architecture for cloud optimization before migration.
Visibility Across Environments:
Maintain end-to-end visibility in hybrid environments to manage interdependencies seamlessly during all migration phases.
Exit Strategies:
When moving between cloud providers, establish a detailed exit strategy covering contract terms, data ownership, and responsibilities post-migration.
By addressing these risks and considerations with a thorough plan, organizations can achieve a smoother transition to cloud environments, maximizing potential benefits while minimizing disruptions.
Best Practices for Cloud Asset Management To maximize efficiency and security, organizations should adopt these best practices:
Maintain a Cloud Asset Inventory
Keep a real-time record of all cloud assets.
Categorize resources by function, owner, and cost.
Automate Asset Discovery & Monitoring
Use cloud management platforms to track assets dynamically.
Set up alerts for unused or misconfigured resources.
Optimize Cloud Costs
Identify underutilized or idle resources and eliminate waste.
Leverage reserved instances and auto-scaling to reduce expenses.
Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
Restrict asset access based on roles and responsibilities.
Reduce security risks by minimizing unnecessary permissions.
Ensure Compliance & Security Policies
Monitor adherence to data privacy laws and industry regulations.
Use encryption and audit logs to enhance security.
Regularly Audit & Review Cloud Usage
Conduct periodic assessments of cloud spending and usage trends.
Adjust asset allocation based on business needs.
Effectively Managing Cloud Service Provider Relationships
When it comes to managing relationships with cloud service providers (CSPs), organizations need to adopt a strategic approach. Here's how they can navigate this critical aspect:
Define Clear Responsibilities Start by clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of both the organization and the CSP. While the organization typically takes charge of business processes, access control, and system integrations, the CSP should ensure the availability and security of the cloud infrastructure.
Scrutinize Contracts Conduct a detailed review of vendor contracts to ensure full clarity on each party's obligations. Pay special attention to terms and conditions that might be unclear, and seek clarification to avoid future conflicts.
Mitigate Vendor Lock-In Risks Organizations should develop robust procurement and management policies to address the risks of vendor lock-in and high switching costs. This strategy can include negotiating flexible contract terms or ensuring data portability to facilitate easier transition between providers if necessary.
Establish Governance Frameworks Implementing a governance framework is essential for overseeing cloud service use. This includes setting policies for procurement, usage, and compliance, ensuring that all aspects of the cloud relationship are managed effectively and risks are minimized.
By taking these steps, organizations can ensure they not only maintain strong relationships with CSPs but also harness the full potential of cloud technologies while safeguarding their interests.
Typical Risks and Mitigations in Cloud Migrations
When transitioning to cloud infrastructure, businesses often encounter a variety of challenges. Here’s a rundown of common risks and how to mitigate them effectively:
Limited Understanding of Legacy Systems
Risk: Organizations might not have a comprehensive grasp of existing legacy applications.
Mitigation: Develop a robust migration strategy that weighs the benefits and drawbacks of different approaches. Consider whether a straightforward lift-and-shift method or a complete rearchitecting better suits your needs.
Skills Gap Among IT Staff
Risk: Existing IT teams may lack the necessary knowledge about cloud technologies.
Mitigation: Perform a skills assessment and create a detailed staffing and training plan. Implement training programs tailored to the cloud platforms you plan to adopt.
Poor Understanding of System Dependencies
Risk: There might be an incomplete awareness of how different systems interconnect.
Mitigation: Put a formal configuration management system into place. This should document business services and their associated component dependencies from end to end, ensuring all aspects are considered before migration.
Data Loss Concerns
Risk: Data could be lost due to transmission errors, glitches in software or hardware, or even human mistakes.
Mitigation: Before migration, confirm that your data aligns with retention policies. Conduct pre-migration tests to uncover any dependencies or potential points of failure. Develop and rigorously test contingency plans, including comprehensive data recovery protocols.
Vendor Contract Discrepancies
Risk: Misalignment with vendor contracts could lead to misunderstandings.
Mitigation: Carry out thorough due diligence to confirm mutual understanding of responsibilities and contract terms between both parties.
By addressing these typical risks with targeted mitigation strategies, organizations can smooth the path to cloud adoption and minimize potential disruptions.
To effectively manage cloud assets, Microsoft identifies five key governance disciplines that organizations should implement:
Effective Cost Management: Establish strategies to control expenses when acquiring cloud resources. This also includes managing the costs associated with data migration across various platforms and environments.
Security Standards: Develop guidelines to enforce robust security and privacy measures, ensuring that network configurations, data handling, and asset management adhere to stringent security requirements.
Unified Identity Management: Implement consistent identity protocols throughout cloud adoption processes. This minimizes potential security breaches and ensures secure access across all cloud services.
Uniform Resource Configuration: Set up procedures to maintain consistent configuration of cloud resources. This approach helps mitigate risks linked to onboarding new resources, handling configuration drift, ensuring discoverability, and achieving effective recovery.
Streamlined Deployment Processes: Promote the centralization and standardization of deployment strategies. This enhances efficiency and uniformity in deployment and configuration efforts, accelerating cloud initiatives.
Incorporating these disciplines helps organizations manage their cloud environments more efficiently, reducing risks and optimizing resource utilization.
What is DevSecOps and How Does It Transform the Perception of Security Controls in Cloud Services?
DevSecOps represents a modern approach to integrating security into the development and operations cycle, particularly for cloud services. Traditionally, security measures have been perceived as hurdles that slow down progress. DevSecOps shifts this perception by embedding security seamlessly into the workflow.
Security as Code
One of the fundamental aspects of DevSecOps is treating security like code. This means security protocols are no longer afterthoughts but are designed, tested, and deployed similarly to software. Security experts collaborate with developers, creating security practices that are as agile and scalable as the services themselves.
Simulating Real-World Attacks
A standout feature of DevSecOps involves proactive security testing. DevSecOps teams perform simulations akin to real-world cyberattacks, often referred to as red and blue team exercises. These exercises help identify vulnerabilities by approaching cloud services as potential attackers would.
Collaboration for Continuous Improvement
Rather than acting in isolation, security teams work closely with developers and operations specialists. Once vulnerabilities are found, they collaboratively craft solutions that not only enhance security but also streamline processes.
Outcomes
The result is a paradigm where security is not merely reactive but anticipates potential threats, turning it into a key enabler of innovation and speed in cloud environments. By launching security as a progressive service, DevSecOps helps shift the mindset from viewing security measures as impediments to recognizing them as integral and dynamic components of cloud services.
Understanding Cloud Orchestration and Its Organizational Benefits
Cloud orchestration is the automated coordination and management of various cloud resources, enabling organizations to streamline their operations. This vital process encompasses the intelligent arrangement and oversight of cloud assets, ensuring they're deployed efficiently and effectively.
Key Benefits of Cloud Orchestration
Time Efficiency: Automating the onboarding and configuration of cloud resources significantly reduces manual labor. This efficiency accelerates both deployment and operational processes.
Standardization and Consistency: By utilizing orchestration tools, organizations can standardize configurations across their cloud environments, ensuring consistent and reliable performance.
Rapid Deployment: With orchestration, computing, storage, and networking resources are provisioned swiftly. This rapid deployment is essential for businesses needing to scale quickly and meet changing demands.
Enhanced Responsiveness: Cloud orchestration allows for dynamic adjustment of resources, automatically adapting to real-time environmental shifts without constant human oversight.
One example of a cloud orchestration platform is Kubernetes, which automates the deployment, scaling, and management of application containers. It efficiently allocates resources, tracks system health, and oversees the lifecycle of virtual machine instances. By leveraging such technologies, organizations can focus on innovation rather than the complexities of cloud management.
Understanding Zero Trust and Its Core Principles for Cloud Security
In today's fast-evolving digital landscape, safeguarding cloud assets requires innovative strategies, and Zero Trust stands out as a leading approach. It's an information security model designed to default to denying access to applications and data, thereby keeping potential threats at bay.
What is Zero Trust?
Zero Trust is an advanced security framework that challenges the traditional notion of implicit trust within corporate networks. Instead of assuming that entities within a network can be trusted, it requires constant verification. This approach is crucial because threat actors and malicious insiders exploit such assumptions.
Core Principles of Zero Trust
Default Denial: By default, no entity is trusted. Every user, device, and application must be authenticated and authorized before being granted access.
Least Privilege Access: Access rights are limited to the minimum necessary for users to perform their tasks. This minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Comprehensive Monitoring: Continuous monitoring is implemented to detect any unusual behavior or potential threats in real-time, ensuring a proactive security stance.
Why Zero Trust for Cloud Security?
In hybrid cloud environments, Zero Trust plays a crucial role by creating a unified security strategy that spans on-premises and cloud-based systems. Its holistic approach covers all aspects of an enterprise's infrastructure— from identities and endpoints to networks and applications, ensuring robust protection across the board. This integrated architecture helps prevent breaches and maintain the integrity of data in today's complex IT environments.
How to Ensure Value for Money with Cloud Investments
Maximizing the return on your cloud investments requires a thoughtful approach. Here are key principles to consider for ensuring you get the best bang for your buck:
Define Your Needs Clearly Start by understanding your organizational requirements in detail. Before diving into cloud services, evaluate different options to ensure they align with your needs.
Assess Licenses and Offers Carefully Examine the licensing agreements closely, along with any promotional offers. This scrutiny helps identify the best choices while minimizing the risk of unexpected costs down the line.
Monitor Demand Scaling Invest in tools and processes that allow you to track how demand scales over time. Understanding this growth helps in better resource allocation and cost management.
Synchronize Subscriptions with Schedules Align your cloud subscriptions with your company’s deployment and release timelines. This alignment helps avoid wastage caused by misaligned resource availability and demand.
Optimize Design and Code Regularly Continuously refine your system designs and optimize code. Regular updates can lead to greater efficiency and lower resource usage, driving down costs associated with cloud resources.
Following these principles can ensure that you not only invest wisely in cloud services but also consistently derive value from them over time.
To align cloud asset management strategies with strategic objectives, organizations need a clear roadmap guided by their overarching business strategy. Here's how to achieve this alignment:
1. Define Strategic Directions and Constraints:
Top leadership should outline the strategic vision and any necessary constraints for cloud utilization. This ensures that all cloud-related activities support the intended business outcomes.
2. Establish Robust Governance Policies:
Implement governance policies that dictate how cloud resources should be managed. These policies should be designed to facilitate the achievement of strategic goals.
3. Conduct Regular Monitoring and Audits:
Set up systems to monitor adherence to these policies through regular audits. This proactive monitoring helps ensure that cloud practices are aligned with the organization’s strategic intentions.
4. Evaluate and Adjust:
Regularly assess the impact of cloud management practices on achieving strategic objectives. Use these evaluations to make informed adjustments, ensuring ongoing alignment between cloud strategies and business goals.
By systematically integrating these practices, organizations can effectively synchronize their cloud asset management with their strategic aims, ensuring technology serves as a true business enabler.
Introduction Cloud-based asset management has become a cornerstone for modern IT operations, helping businesses efficiently track, manage, and optimize their digital assets. With the increasing complexity of cloud environments, organizations require robust cloud asset management and cloud-based digital asset management tools to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, and reduce costs. This comprehensive guide explores the top 10 cloud-based asset management tools in 2025, focusing on key factors such as pricing, licensing models, feature comparisons, and integrations. The selection is based on insights from leading platforms like Gartner, G2, and Forrester, reflecting current trends and user preferences. Criteria for Selection To curate this list, we evaluated tools based on the following criteria:
Market Presence & Reputation: Recognized by industry leaders and widely adopted.
Pricing & Licensing Options: Flexible pricing models suitable for various business sizes.
Core Features: Asset tracking, cost management, compliance, reporting, and automation.
Integration Capabilities: Compatibility with major cloud platforms and enterprise tools.
User Experience & Support: Intuitive design and responsive customer support.
When considering cloud asset management today, several key concepts should be at the forefront of your strategy. Effective management can lead to enhanced efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness.
Governance in a Cloud Environment
Establishing strong governance is essential in managing cloud assets. This involves implementing robust policies, controls, and disciplines to ensure consistent management. It's also vital to consider vendor governance, which helps maintain seamless integration and compliance across different cloud service providers.
Onboarding Cloud Assets
Bringing new cloud assets into your IT environment requires careful planning. This process should mitigate risks associated with cloud migration and orchestration, ensuring smooth integration with existing systems. A strategic approach to onboarding can help manage potential disruptions and optimize resource allocation.
Software Considerations for Cloud Asset Management
Utilizing the right software solutions is crucial for maintaining visibility and driving automation in your cloud assets. Reliable tools can streamline operations, enhance oversight, and automate routine tasks, freeing up resources for more strategic initiatives.
Cloud Security Practices
Implementing strong cloud security measures is non-negotiable. Adopting best practices such as DevSecOps and the Zero Trust model can fortify your defense mechanisms. These strategies help protect sensitive data and maintain compliance with regulatory standards.
Managing Cloud-Related Costs
Efficient cost management is key to demonstrating business value. This involves planning, tracking, and optimizing expenditure to prevent budget overruns. By leveraging detailed analytics and cost management tools, organizations can ensure they're getting the most value from their cloud investments.
Incorporating these concepts into your cloud asset management strategy can enhance your overall IT infrastructure, ensuring it is both resilient and responsive to the dynamic demands of today’s digital environment.
Top 10 Cloud-Based Asset Management Tools in 20251. IBM Cloud Pak for Multicloud ManagementOverview: A comprehensive solution to manage assets across hybrid and multicloud environments. Pricing & Licensing:
Subscription-based with enterprise licensing options.
Custom pricing is based on the deployment scale.
Best Use Cases: Provides large enterprises with managing complex hybrid cloud environments. Pros & Cons:
Pros: Strong automation and comprehensive governance.
Cons: Requires technical expertise for setup.
G2 Rating: 4.3 with 90 reviewsGartner Rating: 4.2 with 72 reviews
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2. Microsoft Azure Asset Manager
Overview: A native solution within Azure for tracking and managing cloud assets.
Pricing & Licensing:
Pay-as-you-go model.
Included in some Azure enterprise plans.
Best Use Cases: Organizations heavily invested in Microsoft Azure. Pros & Cons:
Pros: Seamless Azure integration and real-time monitoring.
Cons: Limited support for non-Azure environments.
G2 Rating: 4.3 with 50 reviewsGartner Rating: 4.4 with 139 reviews
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3. Lansweeper
Overview: A powerful IT asset discovery and management tool suitable for hybrid IT environments.
Pricing & Licensing:
Subscription-based pricing.
Scalable licensing for SMBs and enterprises.
Best Use Cases: Organizations needing detailed asset discovery and reporting. Pros & Cons:
Pros: Extensive asset discovery capabilities and strong reporting.
Cons: Requires configuration for optimal performance.
G2 Rating: 4.4 with 57 reviewsGartner Rating: 4.4 with 132 reviews
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4. Qualys Asset Inventory
Overview: A cloud-based IT asset inventory tool providing real-time visibility across global assets.
Pricing & Licensing:
Subscription-based pricing.
Flexible licensing options for enterprises.
Best Use Cases: Enterprises focused on security compliance and asset visibility. Pros & Cons:
Pros: Strong security integration and real-time asset tracking.
Cons: It can be complex for non-security teams.
G2 Rating: 4.3 with 3 reviewsGartner Rating: 4.5 with 14 reviews
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5. Asset Panda
Overview: A versatile asset tracking and management platform suitable for various industries.
Pricing & Licensing:
Subscription-based with flexible plans.
Custom quotes for enterprise clients.
Best Use Cases: Businesses of all sizes need customizable asset tracking. Pros & Cons:
Pros: Highly customizable, mobile-friendly.
Cons: It can be complex for new users.
G2 Rating: 3.9 with 27 reviewsGartner Rating: 4.3 with 31 reviews
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6. Freshworks IT Asset Management
Overview: A modern IT asset management solution to streamline asset tracking and lifecycle management.
Pricing & Licensing:
Subscription-based pricing.
Multiple tiers based on feature requirements.
Best Use Cases: Small to mid-sized businesses looking for intuitive IT asset management. Pros & Cons:
Pros: User-friendly interface and strong automation features.
Selecting the right cloud-based asset management tool depends on your business requirements, IT infrastructure, and budget. Each tool offers unique strengths, whether managing hybrid clouds with IBM Cloud Pak, optimizing SaaS costs with CloudNuro.ai, or tracking IT assets with Lansweeper.
For organizations looking to enhance SaaS management, improve security, and reduce costs, consider CloudNuro.ai as your go-to solution. Recognized by Gartner and InfoTech, it provides powerful insights to optimize your SaaS ecosystem.
Book a Demo with CloudNuro.ai to explore how it can streamline your SaaS management processes. Request a Demo.
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