Nowadays, many businesses of all shapes and sizes use management software to control their assets. Any reliable equipment management system will let owners, managers, and their teams have more control. A consequence of this is that the business in question can be more organised, productive, and potentially more profitable. 

But how easy is it to choose the right software? Let’s explore this now.

What is it that you want from an equipment management system? Would you like it to show you where your assets are or who is using them? Perhaps you’d prefer it if you could quickly note the asset’s price at purchase or its instruction manual.

When you know what you’re looking for, you’re much more likely to find the right type of software.

A distinct and very clear advantage of using any modern software is its location tracking feature. In fact, being able to track any amount of chosen assets is a major reason for using such software. 

When you use this feature, depending on which equipment management system you use you could: 

• See exactly where each asset is located
• Understand whether some assets have arrived at the correct destination 
• Know if your assets are in the right hands
• Allow you to have peace of mind

Understanding where your assets are tends to be very easy. There typically isn’t a difficult method for you to use. Depending on the equipment system you choose, you may be able to locate your assets by doing some of the following:

• Attaching a barcode, RFID tag, or QR code to each asset
• Scanning the barcode, RFID tag or QR to open up and create a digital profile
• Using this profile allows you to add information about the asset in question and track it, should you wish to
• Help you to understand whether an asset is in need of maintenance 
• Help you to understand who is using and who has used the asset

Please note, the above explanation is just an example. Your chosen software/system may do things slightly differently. Before you opt for some software, make sure it offers you what you want. It would be a shame if you purchased some equipment management software that wasn’t right for you. Make sure you check so that you have what you need.

Many types of software offer you the chance to access your new tracking system via a range of devices. Some only ever let you have access via your computer. The good news is that you can find at least one equipment management system which has multi-device access. You could, for example, log in using your desktop computer or your laptop. Perhaps you would like to log into the software via your phone or your tablet. Irrespective of the type of device that you wish to use, you could log in with ease. 

Did you know that as long as you can gain access to the internet you can log into some management systems? You could, for example, be in your office and choose to log in via your tablet. You may be at home and decide to use your desktop. You could be on the train and log in using your smartphone. Finally, you could be working in the field and log into the portal using your laptop. No matter where you are, you could gain access using a range of devices. Ensure you opt for some software that offers you this as it can make life easier.

Now it’s time for you to think about each of your asset’s digital profiles. What would you like them to contain? This may not be something that you have previously considered. However, as soon as a digital profile has been created it can be filled with important information. This is, of course, as long as you use an equipment management system that allows this. If you do, you could fill your digital profiles with every asset’s date and price of purchase, warranty and insurance details, instruction manual or link to it, list of permitted users, and even a photograph of the asset. 

You may even wish to mention where the asset is typically located. This could be beneficial if you are tracking fixed assets that are stored in a large building or on a large construction site, for example. While the location tracking feature can help, sometimes just knowing that a machine is at the end of warehouse 4 can also help. 

Think about what you want from your chosen management software. Make sure that when you sign up for something, it offers you all that you need. When it does, there’s a real chance that it could make your working day so much easier. 

Wish to speak with someone knowledgeable about using an equipment management system? Contact us now at team@itemit.com. 

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As the manager or owner of a business, it’s understandable that you want all of your equipment to work well all of the time. When it doesn’t, the downtime can cause a lot of issues such as delayed orders being completed, and potentially disappointed customers. However, it is possible to reduce downtime and realistically help to prevent it. When you use a fixed asset register you can have more control over those downtimes and so much more. As a result, your business could potentially perform better.

If you’re serious about reducing equipment downtime you need to start using a fixed asset register. An asset register will ensure that you can track everything you wish. In other words, you can track machinery, tools, equipment, computers, vehicles, and anything else. If you’re using a register to track fixed assets, bear in mind these are assets that always stay where they are. In other words, your machines, production lines, and so on.

A fixed asset register can help by keeping you up-to-date with how each of your assets is performing. One of the major benefits of using this type of register is that data tends to be created whenever your assets are used. What this means for you is that you have the opportunity to see how your assets are performing. You can also see how your business is running on a whole new level. 

If this is not enough, when you use reliable asset register software each asset will have its own digital profile. To each profile, you can add information such as each asset’s:

• Date of purchase
• Warranty and insurance details 
• The model number and make
• Estimated value
• Estimated lifespan
• User guide/instruction manual
• And any other information that you wish to add 

All of the above information can be read by a user when they access an asset’s digital profile. This can be particularly useful when it comes to accessing an asset’s maintenance schedule. It’s this that can have a huge impact on reducing and even preventing asset downtime. 

Maintenance schedules can make such a difference to each of your assets. Schedules such as these can be set for each of your fixed assets. If you have some non-fixed assets that you wish to track a maintenance schedule can also help. 

When you set up a schedule, you’re ultimately asking your fixed asset register to help you look after your assets. A schedule can help you and your maintenance team to ensure your assets are in good condition. A schedule can be set up for each of your assets so they’re examined and repaired, if necessary. The examination and repair can take place yearly, quarterly, monthly, and so on. 

When your assets are examined more frequently they stay in better condition. They are much less likely to cause you problems and as a result, they can last longer. All that you have to do is set up a schedule for each asset. The next step is to ensure the maintenance team receives alerts and takes action. A direct result of this could mean that you experience less equipment downtime.

Did you know that when you check your assets in and out you go further to reduce downtime? You can ultimately see which member of your team is using which machine. Additionally, you can see where your assets are. This can prove to be helpful if you work in a large building or in multiple buildings. You can see exactly where the machines are. This means you may not have to spend a long time searching for them. 

Additionally, when you check your assets in and out you can see who is using them. You can also see which assets in your fixed asset register are undergoing maintenance. This can help to prevent downtime as it means you can see which assets you can use. In other words, you won’t have to spend time waiting for a particular machine to come back from maintenance. 

The check in and out feature also allows you to book equipment in. You could, for example, book in one of your machines so you can use it when another team has finished. Knowing when a machine is free means that you can use it almost immediately. It’s this that can also help to save equipment downtime. 

When downtime is minimised it ensures that tasks are completed and more deadlines are met. It also helps to increase turnover, while ensuring you can keep your happy customers happy.

Wish to chat with someone knowledgeable about using a fixed asset register to reduce equipment downtime? Contact us now at team@itemit.com. 

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Many asset tracking companies happily supply their customers with GPS technology or QR codes. These two types of technology are often in competition with each other, without customers realising. This is simply because they can work in the same way. However, the latter is considered to be far superior to GPS as it can do so much more. 

Whether you want to keep an up-to-date ICT asset register or see where your vehicles are, it’s worth considering each option. Let’s now take a look at both GPS and QR codes a little closer so you can understand what they offer.

GPS technology is already a large part of the lives of those who travel by car. We rely on this technology to help us get to where we need to be. GPS tracking works by linking the little device you use to satellites. These satellites send you constant signals to show you where you are. They can also show you where an asset that you want to track is. 

Did you know that GPS technology was originally developed for the military? 

Many businesses tend to use this type of technology so they can see where their vehicles are. However, this is not the only way that businesses use GPS. They also use this technology to help them to see where assets that were in their central warehouse are now.

GPS tracking is known for being automatic. What this means is that you should not have to manually input any data so you understand where the asset you’re tracking is. This could be a good thing if you’re tracking a fleet of vehicles. Let’s imagine you have created an ICT asset register and you want to know where your computers are at all times. GPS may not be helpful in this instance as you may only receive location updates every 10-15 minutes. Another clear disadvantage is that Global Positioning System (GPS) technology is not cheap nor can trackers easily be affixed to assets. What this means for you is that no matter what assets you wish to track, tracking them could be difficult.

A Quick Response (QR) code looks a little like a barcode. This code can be read by a scanner very easily. In fact, most digital devices such as smartphones can both scan and read a QR code within a few seconds. 

Many people have seen or used a QR code without much thought. These days, QR codes are often found on restaurant tables or menus. They can even be found on chairs in theatres, encouraging you to order drinks and snacks to your seats. 

QR codes can and do work in a similar way to GPS systems. They can help you to keep an eye on your ICT asset register and track your asset’s location. However, they can do more than offer you location-tracking services, as we are about to see.

So you want to track every asset in your ICT asset register. Using QR codes to help you do this is a good idea. This is because there’s a real potential for you to access a large amount of data just by scanning a QR code. This is thanks to the QR Codes’ very unique mode of operation. When you scan the square code, all of the data that you’ve inputted into your ICT asset register, for example, will be displayed. Consequently, you can gain access to a lot of information very quickly. 

One of the disadvantages of using QR codes is they are unable to show you exactly where your assets are. This is why codes such as these also harness the power of location-tracking technology. You can see where your assets are at all times, and gain access to a lot of information.

QR codes are the right choice for you and your business because of what they offer. This technology allows you to track everything in your ICT asset register and/or any other asset register you have. Additionally, you can add as much information as you wish to your register and that information will be displayed upon scanning the relevant QR code. 

Easy to attach to each asset, QR codes help you to detect the location of your assets, giving you peace of mind. Some providers of QR codes even let you add your logo so it’s easy to see who the asset belongs to. It’s not surprising then, that more and more business owners and managers are choosing to use QR codes. 

Would you like to speak to an expert about creating an ICT asset register with the help of QR codes? Contact us today at team@itemit.com.

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In this guide:

1. Why Tracking Assets Is Important
2. How To Use An Asset Register App Effectively
3. The Integration Of Tracking Software With Your Business Systems

In this guide:

1. Why Tracking Assets Is Important
2. How To Use An Asset Register App Effectively
3. The Integration Of Tracking Software With Your Business Systems

Without a shadow of a doubt, you and your business use a range of systems to help you get through the day. From computer software to handheld devices, smartphones, and everything else, it’s likely that you rely on a range of systems. The thought of integrating tracking software may not put you at ease. After all, you could be used to doing things a certain way. However, when the tracking software comes in the form of an asset register app, it may seem less frightening. 

There’s a real potential to use the app combined with your current business systems to help you track your assets. Tracking your assets via an asset register app/software can be very useful for your business. Let’s take a look at why:

The process of tracking assets is potentially a lot more important than you realise. When you track an asset you have much more control over it. You can see where the asset is, where it has been, who is using it, its maintenance status, and even how much it’s worth. You could also communicate with others about the status of the asset, see how many times it’s been used, and who uses the asset the most.

When you track some or all of your assets via an asset register app and/or an online portal you can have peace of mind. You can see where everything is at the touch of a button, adding an extra layer of security.

Not a lot of people know that you can also create a lot of data each time you use an asset. In fact, as soon as you start to track an asset, the data creation begins. It’s this data that can help you to see how well your assets are performing in different ways. You could see how many times your favourite hopper breaks down. You could see which locations your vehicles tend to visit the most, and so on. It’s no wonder then, that more and more businesses around the globe are tracking their assets.

The thought of using an app to help you track your assets may seem daunting. The good news is that these days, apps are made with users in mind. The UI (User interface) tends to be easy to read and navigate. It may also offer you the chance to track various aspects of each asset. However, to do this effectively you should:

• Track all of the assets that are important to you
• Attach a QR code, RFID tag or barcode to an asset and scan it so a digital profile is created
• Add as much information about each asset as you wish to the asset’s profile, such as the date of purchase, cost, insurance and warranty information, expected lifespan, maintenance reminders and records, and user instructions
• Start tracking the location of the asset, even if it’s a fixed asset. Doing so could help your colleagues to locate it with ease
• Consider using your asset register app on many different devices such as your smartphone, laptop, tablet, and desktop computer. The more devices you use it on, the more convenient it will be

The above tips can help you to get the most out of your tracking software. As a result, you could benefit from using the software more than you imagined.

The integration of tracking software with your business systems is possible. You could use the software alongside or even instead of your current business systems. However, it would make sense for you to use it alongside your current business systems until you are used to the software. Doing so could help you to see how much an asset register app can do for you. Consequently, there’s a real chance that you could have more control over your assets and your business as a whole. 

Did you know that the data provided by your chosen tracking software could help your business to grow? This is simply because it can show you how your assets are performing. A result of this means that you could potentially take your business in a whole new direction. Alternatively, you could see which areas you’re performing well in and concentrate on those areas. 

This might not be something you could do without integrating tracking software. It, therefore, makes sense for you to use your new software alongside your current business systems for now. When you realise tracking your assets makes a huge difference, your business could benefit in a variety of ways.

Would you like to speak with an expert about using an asset register app alongside or instead of your current business systems? Contact team@itemit.com.

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or, download the itemit app to get started

In this guide:

1. Inventory Level Monitoring
2. Improved Maintenance Control
3. Improved Security
4. Receive Updates In Real-Time
5. Track The Location Of Your Manufacturing Equipment

In this guide:

1. Inventory Level Monitoring
2. Improved Maintenance Control
3. Improved Security
4. Receive Updates In Real-Time
5. Track The Location Of Your Manufacturing Equipment

Tracking manufacturing equipment may not be at the top of everyone’s list of priorities. However, when you use an equipment tracking system you can see just how beneficial it is. A tracking system requires you to add the details of your manufacturing equipment to a register. You also need to attach a QR code or an RFID tag to your equipment. Once you have done this, everything can be tracked in a multitude of ways. 

Let’s take a look at just how you can track everything.

Let’s start off by discussing why asset tracking is so important. The assets that a business owns encompasses all the possessions that do or will help it produce a good or deliver a service.

These could be anything ranging from buildings, land and furniture to IT equipment, software and small office fixtures.

While it goes without saying that a business should keep track and manage all of its assets, it is equally important to understand why doing so is beneficial for the business. Listed below are some of the major reasons why asset tracking is considered to be a fundamental business process.

When you use an equipment tracking system that’s modern and reliable, there’s an opportunity for you to monitor your inventory levels. You could, for example, order stock as and when it’s required. In addition to this, it’s possible to keep your stock levels to a specific amount at all times. When you have the right amount of stock your warehouse is less likely to become overcrowded. You also reduce the likelihood of under-ordering stock. What this means is that you potentially have the stock levels you need at all times. 

Everyone knows that maintaining your manufacturing equipment is a priority. However, it can be easier said than done. Machines can often fail to be checked over quite as often as they should be. However, when you use an equipment tracking system this becomes a thing of the past.

You could set up alerts every six months, once a year, every quarter, and so on. The alerts can be specific to your machinery, tools, and even your vehicles. Once an alert has been sent out, the maintenance team can get to work on your machinery. A result of this means that all of your assets could be in better condition. Consequently, you may end up spending a little (or a lot) less replacing damaged or broken-down machinery.

Did you know that when you use an equipment tracking system it indirectly helps to improve security? When you track your machinery you attach a barcode to it. This barcode can help you to see where your machinery, tools, etc. are 24/7. Therefore, you could have fewer assets go missing. As every member of your team knows that you’re tracking everything, those unscrupulous team members may leave your machinery alone.

You could receive real-time updates as to how your manufacturing equipment is performing. This can only be a good thing as you could see which machines are doing well and which need improvement. You could receive real-time updates about your stock holding and how many units you’ve manufactured. 

Receiving real-time updates could help you to understand your business in a new way. You could make better business decisions thanks to your new equipment tracking system. 

Were you aware that some tracking software allows you to export the data that it creates? Every time you track an asset, each time inventory is ordered, whenever something is manufactured, etc. data will be created. It’s this data (and more) that can be exported. The exported data could be printed off or read on-screen, the choice is yours. Access it via your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer. Alternatively, you could simply print it off and distribute copies to the relevant teams. Make sure you recycle the paper reports once you’ve examined them so you stay as green as possible. Now, use the data in the reports to help you gain new insights into your business.

Not everyone is aware that it’s possible to track the location of your manufacturing equipment. You could even track the machines, etc that stay in one place at all times. The reason for this is it makes it easier to find your machines. If you work in a large building/warehouse, it could be hard to locate what you’re looking for. When you use an equipment tracking system, however, it makes locating everything easier. No longer will you have to spend 10-15 minutes looking for a tool, a machine, a vehicle, or anything else. You can simply log into the portal or your app and see where everything’s located. 

Tracking your manufacturing equipment has never been easier. You can potentially track all of your assets using the right software. Your day-to-day working life could become so much easier. Just make sure that when you’re choosing tracking software that you opt for software that offers you everything you need. When you do, you could find that you have more time on your hands to complete the tasks at the top of your to-do list. A result of this is that your business could be run more smoothly every single day. 

Would you like to chat with an equipment tracking system expert?  Contact us today at team@itemit.com. 

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or, download the itemit app to get started