Running a business can be a hard task. It can take up a lot of time and energy. If things don’t run smoothly, it can make day-to-day operations difficult. However, when you automate your asset register things can start to run more smoothly than you imagined. 

Unfortunately, it’s not always clear how automating your fixed asset register can be beneficial. Managing your register can also be difficult. The good news is that automating the register’s management can also make things easier.

Fixed asset register automation uses the latest technology to complete different tasks. The tasks involved are usually undertaken by an employee. While the tasks involved might not seem hugely important on their one, when you combine them all, they can be massively important. 

Asset register automation software can take control of these tasks ensuring that they’re always completed on time. In addition to this, no errors will be made as the software will only ever do what it’s told to do. As a result, your business can potentially complete a range of small tasks very quickly.

There are many benefits associated with automating your fixed asset register management. Some of the benefits are:

Those small tasks that take just a few moments can now be completed by trusted software. When those small tasks are completed it means that you and your employees can carry out other activities. As a result, productivity is improved and there’s the potential for businesses to flourish.

No matter what assets you use or how often you use them, it’s likely that they will break or fail occasionally. This can be kept to a minimum when you automate your asset register management. This is possible when you automate and schedule maintenance alerts. It’s also possible that you and your employees can message the maintenance team when something has gone wrong. 

With regular maintenance and repairs when something breaks down, assets of all shapes and sizes can have an improved lifespan. The improved lifespan also means that you need to spend less on repairs and replacement. The money that you save can be diverted to a much-needed department or saved.

Time can be saved when fixed asset register management is automated. All of the information that you need to complete your day-to-day activities will be available when you need it. For example, if you wish to know where one of your trucks is heading, you can log into the software and see. 

• Want to know who is using your machinery? Take a quick look. 
• Wish to know how to repair some of your construction equipment? Log into the software and find the equipment’s user manual. 

When you save a little time every day it allows you to complete other, more important tasks. This can be helpful for your business and even encourage it to grow.

When you use automation to help you manage your fixed asset register the result is a boosted bottom line. This may not be obvious to you now, but it’s a reality that many businesses can experience. Using automation can allow for the creation of data. When you use asset tracking software that also allows you to export reports, you can see where your business is performing well. Additionally, it’s possible to see where improvements need to be made. When those improvements are made it means there’s a real potential for the bottom line to be boosted. 

As we have already seen, it’s possible to save money by using automated and scheduled maintenance alerts. The saved money could potentially help to boost the bottom line even more.

We are already aware that no errors will be made as the software you use will only ever do what it’s told. Human errors can potentially make a business seem less or more successful than it really is. Here is where automating fixed asset register management can help. No errors will be made, resulting in a more accurate business overview. Reports that are exported will be accurate, thereby helping managers to get a clear picture. 

If you’re still one of the many businesses using spreadsheets, now is the time to move on to something more reliable. Step away from the old tech and use new technology that can work for your business.

There are many benefits associated with automating asset register management. The above benefits can realistically have a positive impact on your business. Being able to manage your asset register through automation is a good thing. No matter where you are or what type of business you run, you too can benefit.

Need to speak with an expert about automating fixed asset register management? Reach out to us now at team@itemit.com.

Instant access. No credit card details required.

or, download the itemit app to get started

Whether you rent or own your equipment, it’s likely that the associated costs are quite high. Such costs could be 20% of your total outgoings. This could potentially be quite a large sum of money. If you have equipment that’s not being used it’s still costing your company 20%. 

If your rented or owned equipment is frequently unused, making sure it’s used more efficiently could reduce those costs. Ways such as pre-emptive maintenance and tracking your equipment can help. Let’s look at these tips and others a little more closely.

Before you even consider optimising equipment utilisation you need to know what the baseline is. When you know what this is, you can then move forward. Your baseline contains figures that relate to how often you use each machine, for example. It will also include information that pertains to how often your machines sit idle. When you have all of this information you can then work towards optimising everything. Pre-emptive maintenance, tracking, and minimising downtime will then be possible.

The next stage involves looking at your trends. Take a look at how often you have used your tools, machinery, and anything else you use. Look at the trends and analyse everything by type and class. This data can help you to have a better idea about the demand for equipment in various locations. 

Be sure to look at your trends each time you purchase new equipment. After a few months, a trend should start to appear, and it’s this that can give you the information you need.

Tracking your equipment can help immensely in terms of optimising its utilisation. When you know where all of your tools, vehicles, and everything else is, you can have more control over it.

It is thought that almost a quarter of rental equipment is returned to its rightful owner approximately 2 weeks late. One of the main reasons that tools are returned late is that it’s hard to know where they are. If you have rented a lot of tools and they’re used in multiple locations, it’s not always easy tracking them down. 

Tools that have been returned late mean additional costs and a lot of frustration. However, these can be tackled by using equipment tracking software. When everything is tracked it can be located with ease. When software is downloaded onto devices that are used onsite (such as tablets, mobile phones, and laptops) it allows for better tracking. 

Some equipment tracking software allows you to set reminders so that you know exactly what needs to be returned and when. As a result, late fees may be a thing of the past.

Another ideal way to optimise utilisation of all of your machinery, etc. is by coordinating its use. For example, one of your delivery trucks may be waiting for repairs. However, the delivery truck is at the far end of your busy car park so you have to wait for a space to become free next to it before you can repair it. However, before you can repair anything you need to wait for some tools to be returned for a busy site. 

It’s entirely possible for you to coordinate the use of your car park and the tools. Perhaps you could do this by purchasing more tools and ensuring the space next to the broken down delivery truck is always empty. When you know how and where your equipment is being used you can potentially coordinate everything in a much better way.

No matter how much equipment you have or how many tools you own, there will be a time when something needs to be repaired. When an excavator, for example, needs to be repaired unexpectedly,  it can potentially hold up all of the other work. However, when you use pre-emptive maintenance you help to minimise downtime. 

Before you use your excavator for a large job you could take a look over it. Making sure that everything is in good working order can be the ideal way to help prevent unexpected incidents. Of course, there will be occasions that you simply cannot plan for. Your dump truck may stop working in the middle of a job. A tool may snap or a saw may become blunt. As long as you use pre-emptive maintenance you can minimise downtime. 

Another way to use pre-emptive maintenance is by setting up a maintenance schedule. Some equipment tracking software features this option, making it very handy to use. Ideally, every piece of equipment and machinery, and every tool will be maintained regularly. Setting up a maintenance schedule can ensure that everything is taken care of. 

Wish to speak with an expert about equipment utilisation and pre-emptive maintenance? Contact us now at: team@itemit.com. 

Instant access. No credit card details required.

or, download the itemit app to get started

No matter how large or small your business is or what you do, you are likely to have computer equipment. This equipment needs to be taken care of as it’s expensive and without trying to state the obvious, it helps you run your business. Therefore, it’s vital that you take good care of all of your IT equipment. But how can you do this? By using IT inventory software.

Let’s take a look at how IT inventory software can help and how you inventory your computer equipment, to begin with.

Once you have chosen the software that works best for you, it’s time to start adding everything to your inventory. This is somewhat easier than you may think. If you have used a paper inventory or even a spreadsheet, you’ll be pleased to know that software can be much simpler. There will be fewer mistakes and much more useful data collected. 

One of the first things you need to do is to decide where you want to begin. If you want to start by inventorying everything in one office, that’s a good place to start. This is a much easier option than adding assets that are in multiple locations and having to move between them. 

So, the first step is to attach a barcode or an RFID tag to one of your assets. As soon as you have attached a barcode or an RFID tag you simply need to scan it. A digital profile will then be created and you can add the asset to the profile. 

Don’t worry, the barcodes or RFID tags that you use have been manufactured to last a long time. Just make sure you attach them in an area that’s easy to reach.

Once you have created a digital profile for an asset, it would be convenient to add some information about the asset. Alternatively, you could add such information, should you wish to. 

So what information can you add to the digital profile? You can add the following:

Each asset’s:

• Make, model, and serial number
• Date of purchase and price at purchase
• Where the asset was purchased 
• Warranty and insurance information 
• Software licence information 
• User manual or a URL that links to the manual
• Photograph for easy identification
• Maintenance schedule and history 
• Warranty and insurance information 
• Location 
• And so much more!

The more information that you add about each computer/printer, etc., the better. You can have all of the information you’ll ever need about each asset in one place. The good news is that most IT inventory software is very reliable and easy to use.

There are many benefits associated with using IT inventory software, some of them include:

• You can track your asset’s location – Once you have affixed a barcode or RFID tag to your computer, for example, you can see exactly where it is. This is ideal if computers are used in many locations. 
• Keeping your assets in better condition is possible – You could create a maintenance schedule and reminders that ensure everything is taken care of. 
• Everything can be organised into collections – Such as location, type, or any other collection you wish to add. This can be convenient if you need to update the profiles of a lot of assets all at once. 
• Ghost assets may no longer exist – Laptops that are usually put to one side and unused for months because they don’t work will be repaired and lost assets can be found. 
• You can see which team member is using which computer – This is thanks to the check in and check out feature which gives everyone more accountability for the IT assets they use all day, every day. 
• Levels of security will increase – When everything is tracked all day, every day, fewer assets will get stolen or lost. When assets are clearly tracked, they will also sustain less damage.
• Reports can be exported – Wish to create a report that shows how many assets you have, how many times they’re used, etc.? export a report and have the details you need at your fingertips. 

When you use IT inventory software that works well for you, you will find that it comes with additional benefits. Some of which you may not have considered. These benefits include better productivity and a better understanding of how your business is performing. You may even be able to see where your business is excelling and where it could do better. All of this is thanks to using inventory software that’s reliable, easy to use, and extremely convenient. 

Would you like to speak with someone who knows all about IT inventory software? We can help you. Contact us now at team@itemit.com.

Instant access. No credit card details required.

or, download the itemit app to get started

Those who work in facilities management need to look after buildings, the grounds surrounding the buildings, and associated equipment and tools. The equipment and tools ensure the safety and functionality of the buildings in question. This means that the plumbing, electricals, and the heating, for example, will also need to be looked after. Some people who work in facilities management may also be responsible for security, and catering. 

So how does the world of asset tracking solutions work alongside facilities management? In short, by making sure that assets are tracked and important reminders are given. Let’s take a longer look, as such, at how asset tracking solutions can be used in facilities management.

One of the very best features of asset tracking solutions is the tracking part. Some tracking software offers users the opportunity to track assets so they know who is using them. Other software allows users to do this and know exactly where those assets are. 

Tracking software that allows you to pinpoint exactly where an asset is located is highly useful. It can help immensely if you have lost an asset or you simply want to know where it is. As long as there is an RFID tag or a barcode attached to the asset, it can be found. 

The software works by creating a digital profile of each asset. When an RFID tag or a barcode is attached to the asset, the code can be scanned. It’s this action that creates a digital profile. As soon as the profile has been created, the software starts to track the asset. 

When you create a digital profile for all of your assets you can track them. It really is that simple. You just need to make sure that you sign up for software that lets you do this.

Another very useful role that asset tracking has in the world of facilities management is its ability to remind users of events. Those who manage facilities usually manage the grounds that surround buildings. As a result, it’s up to the managers to ensure that the grounds are in good condition. 

Setting reminders at chosen intervals ensures that users are notified when grounds need to be mown, for example. Receiving notifications such as this can prove to be very helpful. It ensures that every area gets the care it needs. 

Reminders can also be very useful when it comes to maintaining equipment. Every piece of equipment and every tool will need to undergo scheduled maintenance. When the schedule isn’t stuck to, it means that tools and equipment may not be in the best condition. Setting reminders for all of your equipment, etc. means that everything is in the best condition possible. This, in turn, means that tasks can be completed more successfully and to your customer’s satisfaction.

You may be surprised to learn that in this day and age, some people still use spreadsheets to track assets. If you’re one of these people, chances are you’re looking for a new, more trusted solution. The good news is that there’s some very reliable software that offers a range of asset tracking solutions to suit your needs. Before we get into this, let’s take a look at just why spreadsheets aren’t ideal. 

Spreadsheets can be perfect if you want to keep track of a few things, such as your personal monthly expenditure. However, if you want to keep a track of much more than this, you need better asset tracking solutions. Spreadsheets can be full to the brim of human errors and it’s these errors that can cost your business money. For example, you may input the wrong location number in a column, you may even delete a row without realising it. It’s errors such as these that could prevent your business from performing as well as it could.

When you use asset tracking solutions that actually work and can be relied upon, there will be few to no errors in the future. As a result, it’s possible for your business to perform better. It’s possible for you to know where all of the tools and equipment are at any one time. With this, comes peace of mind and with that, happier customers. 

As you can see, the role of asset tracking in facilities management is an important one. When you use software that works and is easy to use, it can make a real difference to your business and your customer’s satisfaction. This is something that every business out there strives for. 

Wish to speak to someone who knows all about asset tracking solutions? Contact us now at: team@itemit.com

Instant access. No credit card details required.

or, download the itemit app to get started

When we buy products from the supermarket or an online store, those products are likely to have a barcode on them. If you stay in a hotel or you pay for something using your phone these procedures will involve using an RFID tag. It’s these technologies that have helped to make our lives a little easier. But how does the world of IT asset tracking use these technologies? We’re going to explore this now.

Barcodes contain a lot of information that when scanned, will perform an action. The action that is performed can tell us how much something costs, where something was purchased, or even where an asset is located. The latter is something that RFID tags do too. 

RFID which stands for Radio Frequency Identification is a completely wireless data communication system. The data is stored in the label and is only understood once it is read by a scanner/reader. When the RFID tag is scanned, radio waves are emitted. The individual scanning the reader will then be shown a set of information. It’s this process that can help immensely with the world of IT asset tracking.

Let’s take a look at just how barcodes and RFID tags can help with tracking IT assets.

IT asset tracking is not always as easy as you would hope it to be. You may be aware that a team of 12 people is working in another office over the next few weeks. You might also be aware that they have taken some of your laptops with them. However, do you know exactly which laptops they have taken? Are they also using some of your tablets?

There’s no real way of knowing where all of your laptops and tablets are unless you track them. When an RFID tag or a barcode is attached to your IT assets, they can be tracked. As long as you use reliable asset tracking software, you can see which assets are being used in the other office. If you don’t use any of the above you’ll just have to guess.

Some IT asset tracking software will let you see exactly who is using what. With check-in and check-out functions, you can understand which member of your team has a tablet or laptop. This can be particularly useful if some laptops, for example, run on or occasionally use specific software. 

The checking in and out process is a very easy one and just allows you to keep a closer eye on all of your assets. Those checking an asset out simply need to scan the RFID tag or barcode and they’ll be given the option to check the tablet in or out. It’s that easy.

It’s likely that some of your assets will fail completely or partially from time to time. It’s also very likely that this will happen when you’re really busy. This is where using RFID tags and barcodes can help. 

When a computer breaks down or a printer stops working, they can be scanned and the maintenance team can be alerted. The user will be given the chance to message the maintenance team with the suspected issue. The team can then get ready to repair the computer. 

Did you know that you may be able to set maintenance reminders? You could set the reminders at chosen intervals, should you wish to. Your assets could be in a better state of repair thanks to the reminders. Want to edit a reminder or see when the reminder will “ping” you? Simply scan the RFID tag or barcode.

IT asset tracking using RFID tags and barcodes can help to improve security. This is simply because you can see where your assets are and who has them. When you have this information at your fingertips you are likely to find that your assets will stay will you for longer. In other words, they’re much less likely to get lost or even stolen.

When you attach a barcode or RFID tag to a modem, for example, it could be obvious that it’s being tracked. It’s this that can help it to remain with its rightful owner. Additionally, those who are using one of your tablets, for example, are more likely to look after it. If they know that the tablet is being tracked the tablet is unlikely to get lost or even damaged. A direct result of this is that you may have to spend less replacing IT assets that have been lost, stolen, or damaged. 

As you can see barcoding and RFID technology has a large role in IT asset tracking that can be hugely beneficial. 

Want to chat with an expert who knows all about IT asset tracking? Contact us now at team@itemit.com.

Instant access. No credit card details required.

or, download the itemit app to get started