A validator for an inventory management system is provided. The validator comprises at least one validation module, wherein the at least one validation module validates at least a portion of inventory information in the inventory management system by comparing the portion of inventory information to equivalent information in an information source that is one of a group of information sources comprising at least one of: a domain name system for converting a name of an alphanumerically labeled network component into an IP address, an automated monitoring system for monitoring a status of equipment for which the inventory management system maintains inventory information, a backup system capable of recording errors that occur in a data backup procedure, and a photograph system that maintains photographs of equipment for which the inventory management system maintains inventory information.