Implementations described and claimed herein provide a system and method for inventory management of data center equipment contained in server racks. In one implementation, the system and method include generating an identifying code that includes location information, hardware specific information, and equipment history of the equipment to be managed. The ID code is applied to the equipment or a portion thereof. A code scanner or reader is positioned within scanning range of the ID code when the equipment is positioned in the server rack. The code reader scans for ID codes and communicates the information associated with the codes to a communication device, which communicates the codes to a user or network device in a network environment. The information may then be analyzed, sorted, and displayed in a graphical user interface such that a user may evaluate, locate, and track the equipment.