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How To Roll Out Fixed Asset Management Software In Your Business

May 5, 2020 | Blog, Fixed Asset Management Software

fixed asset management software roll out in business

Fixed asset management software has superseded the spreadsheet. A fixed asset register ensures your organisation is in control of its assets. Now, instead of being unsure of what assets the business owns, where they are and when they’re due for replacement, you have instant access to this information, and so do your colleagues. 

If you’re at the start of your journey of rolling out fixed asset management software within your company, let us share with you our top tips on how to ensure your new system and processes are a roaring success.

 

1. Choose the best Fixed Asset Inventory Software

When it comes to managing your assets, it’s important to choose the right fixed asset register software for your business and your unique requirements. For example, there are a few options to choose from when it comes to tagging your fixed assets, each with benefits and drawbacks. We’ll come back to this a little later on

Similarly, different systems offer varying functionality. Some do a lot, and others may not do enough. Our top tip when it comes to ensuring managing your fixed assets is to establish what you need the software to do for you and to make sure the solution you choose ticks all your boxes. Here are some of the most common things your asset register software will need to do for you:

Once you have selected the fixed asset management software that’s right for you, next, it’s time to create your fixed asset register.

Note: Before we jump into asset registers, if you’re unsure about which software is right for you and don’t want to make the wrong decision, please speak with our friendly team who will offer support and recommendations.

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2. Create Your Fixed Asset Register

We’ve been helping businesses of all sizes to track their assets for many years now and we know that often, if your company is international or just very big, then a key to successfully implementing fixed asset tracking is to choose a small scale deployment initially and then scale up afterwards. By establishing your processes in a smaller, more controlled environment, you can launch your solution and get buy-in from your colleagues. Add to that the fact that often, this needs a much smaller upfront investment and it’s easy to see how this is the best approach creating a fixed asset register. Once established in your small-scale deployment it simply becomes a matter of scaling up usage by replicating the same process at additional sites.

Once your fixed asset register is underway, you’ll have access to data like this, giving you an instant overview of all your assets, their condition, where they are and who has them.

 

asset tracking software

 

3. Tag your fixed assets

Probably one of the most beneficial aspects of fixed asset management is fixed asset tagging.

If you’re new to the world of asset tagging, read our complete guide to fixed asset tagging here.

Why is tagging your assets so useful? When you tag your assets, no matter which type of tag you use, you allow for your physical asset to be connected to its digital record. Not only does this allow you to instantly identify your assets but you can also interact with them on the go. What’s more, is that your fixed asset management software will even use the scanning of the tag to record that asset’s GPS location. Pretty neat stuff.

So, to incorporate asset tagging into your fixed asset inventory management, just follow these four simple steps:

  1. Tag fixed assets with QR code, RFID or GPS tags
  2. Link your fixed assets to their digital profiles
  3. Add crucial data and asset information
  4. Monitor fixed asset whereabouts, condition and usage

 

4. Monitor Your Assets and Equipment

Now you’ve got your fixed asset register and each asset is tagged, it’s time to start using the system and benefiting from your hard work! If you’ve chosen to use itemit, you get a desktop web portal as well as an iOS and Android app.

Here’s a little sneak peek of the itemit web portal.

fixed asset management software

Create My Own Asset Register

Share Your Fixed Asset Management Software

The final step is to spread the news of your successful fixed asset management and to share access to the account with colleagues and management to ensure the whole business can see the benefits. This will take your small-scale deployment to the next level and allow for the scaling up of this solution.

Your asset management system should allow you to control the access and permissions each team member has. With itemit, you can even decide to divide up responsibilities for different locations or asset types using the unique Collections and Locations features.

What’s next?

The best thing to do now is click here to start your free 14-day trial of itemit.

If you’d like a free Zoom demo of the system, please email team@itemit.com now.

Start Rolling Out Your Fixed Asset Management Software Now!

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The Beginner’s Guide to IT Asset Management

May 4, 2020 | Blog, IT Asset Management Software

beginners guide IT asset management software

In a world where technology has become more intertwined with our everyday lives than ever before, today, we face a new challenge. We must keep track of our IT hardware and prevent the feeling of drowning, buried under piles of laptops, cables, devices and monitors. 

The secret to regaining control of your IT assets is to start using what we call IT asset management software. This tool logs all assets in an easy to use system, which gives you a clear view of what equipment you have and lots of other useful information. And just like that, your life has become that little bit easier.

 

What are my IT assets?

Let’s not run before we can walk, just so we’re all on the same page here, when we refer to IT assets, we mean any and all of the below:

  • Laptops
  • Computers/PCs
  • Mobile devices
  • Work phones
  • Headsets
  • Monitors
  • Cables
  • Chargers
  • Servers
  • Software
  • And the little extras you might forget about such as USB sticks, adapters, and extension cables. 

 

The Benefits of IT Asset Management Software

You’ll benefit greatly from an IT asset management system, to give you an idea of what to expect, here are some of our top benefits:

  1. Equipment checkouts – check your assets in and out to see in real-time which assets are available for use
  2. Assign IT hardware to colleagues to see who has what
  3. Ensure GDPR compliance – by monitoring who has access to which devices and data
  4. Equipment maintenance tracking – the itemit IT asset management software lets you report issues about assets and equipment, helping you track equipment maintenance schedules. Check out the video below to see how itemit helps you to manage asset maintenance.

Click here to read more on the benefits of IT asset management software for your business.

 

Then, what is Hardware Asset Management?

Sometimes, you might hear the management of physical assets and hardware referred to as hardware asset management or HAM. There’s no need to overcomplicate things here, if you’re tracking your physical assets, then you’re managing your hardware/your IT assets.

A common element of the hardware asset management side of things is to tag your laptops and other IT hardware with QR code asset tags. This brings many benefits:

  • Instant identification of assets
  • Recognise your assets immediately
  • Automated recording of asset GPS locations with each QR scan
  • Interact with assets on the go
  • Continuous equipment stock check

As well as this, you can assign IT hardware to your colleagues. This is especially helpful if you’re onboarding new staff, as you’ll be able to see how much hardware you can distribute to your new starters.

You can also log all of your financial, depreciation and warranty information against your hardware. This way, your IT asset management software will tell you the exact time an upgrade is necessary.

 

Creating an IT Asset Register

When you’ve logged all of your IT hardware and software and tagged the necessary assets, you’ll have what we call a complete IT asset register.

Your IT asset register may not look like much at first glance but wait until you start leveraging the power of this little beauty. With itemit, you’re IT inventory management will be easier than ever before. Now you can use your IT asset register to generate reports that give you useful information, hurrah! All reports are fully customisable but here are just some of our most popular reports to show you what you can do:

  • See which hardware is available 
  • See which IT assets require PAT testing within the next month
  • Monitor equipment that has issues reported against it
  • Pull off a report to see all equipment due back from an employee leaving the business
  • Monitor asset value 
  • And so much more! Give us a call on 01223 421611 to speak to our friendly team about what else is possible.

Importantly, whenever an asset’s status updates, whether this is user, location, or maintenance information, this change will be reflected across your entire asset management system in real-time. What more could you ask for!

 

Getting started with your IT Inventory Management System

All of this allows you to track and manage your IT assets and even makes it enjoyable! Your IT asset management software will show you all of the data you need to know, increasing accountability and responsibility across your organisation.

We’re here to help and would be delighted to find out more about your requirements and show you how itemit will help with one of our free Zoom demos. Drop us an email at team@itemit.com, or fill in the form below and we’ll get you up and running in no time!

Start Using IT Asset Management Software Today!

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Medical Equipment Management Software: How to Use RFID to Track Medical Equipment

May 1, 2020 | Blog, RFID Asset Tracking Software

Medical Equipment Management Software_ How to Use RFID to Track Medical Equipment

No matter which tagging option you choose, you also need the asset tracking software element of the solution in order to manage equipment effectively.

 

What is Healthcare Asset Tracking Software?

Healthcare asset tracking allows you to track medical equipment. This includes using RFID or QR code asset tags to update geolocation, but also to view and edit asset information after just a scan.

With a healthcare asset tracking system, you’ll be able to know where everything is, and you’ll know who has what. You’ll be able to check equipment in and out, so that there’s full transparency of what can and can’t be used. 

You can also track stock of PPE and medical devices, so you know how much is available for use and can plan accordingly.

The unique thing that healthcare asset tracking software allows you to do is track compliance and maintenance information throughout an asset’s lifecycle. So, you’ll be able to log all necessary compliance information upon the purchase of an asset to verify legitimacy. You can then use reminders for routine, pre-emptive maintenance to ensure all of your medical devices are running smoothly and maintain their compliant status.

 

Using Medical Equipment Management Software With RFID

When you add RFID to the mix, your medical equipment management is sped up. 

If you’re looking for a piece of equipment that requires maintenance, you’ll be able to discover it’s location using an RFID reader, speeding up the process.

This goes for other processes, too. If any asset data changes, using an RFID reader, you’ll be able to scan the tag and edit asset information in your medical equipment tracking app. You can also add health and safety information to equipment such as X-ray machines so that everyone is on the same page when it comes to safety.

You can even use this to stocktake for ambulances. If you need to know that an ambulance is adequately stocked up, you’ll be able to use RFID medical equipment tracking to scan the assets and check them into the ambulance. You can then update your stock when the ambulance returns.

 

PPE Tracking

Additionally, you can use healthcare asset tracking to monitor your PPE levels. itemit is already helping Cambridge University monitor life-saving PPE levels for Addenbrookes Hospital.

When it comes to PPE, you can choose to track boxes of items rather than each individual item, should you wish. Quantity levels can still be recorded and updated on the fly. This way you know exactly how much PPE you have available at any given time.

 

Why RFID For Medical Equipment Tracking?

To keep costs down, it may be helpful to opt for a mix of QR code asset tagging and RFID asset tagging. Choose from durable and customisable QR code asset tags, whether they are stickers or anodised aluminium tags – there’s a tag for every asset.

However, the clear benefits to RFID tracking in hospitals are undeniable. Being able to stocktake quickly, and from a distance, is a very attractive benefit that RFID tracking can bestow on the tracking of medical equipment and PPE

Stock levels change at a greater frequency than other industries, too, so it’s crucial to be able to effectively keep track of this.

 

itemit RFID Equipment Management

itemit is owned by RedBite Solutions, pioneers in RFID tracking. Its founders were instrumental in the implementation of RFID regulation and in the architecting of the EPC network. They belonged to the group that coined the term “IoT”.

itemit itself was created to solve asset tracking problems, and so integrating RFID tracking was an obvious step. itemit works with RFID by connecting to a handheld reader via Bluetooth, then the scanning is up to you! 

 

itemit RFID locate item

 

itemit provides all the tags and readers you’ll need with our off-the-shelf RFID solution, but if you require something more bespoke, we’ll always be happy to provide consultancy and rise to the challenge.

With over a decade of experience in RFID, we’re more than happy to assist you with whatever requirements you have. To find out more, you can contact the team at team@itemit.com, fill in the form below, or phone 01223 421611.

Start Your Medical Equipment Management Now!

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3 Reasons Why You Need a Better Construction Equipment Tracking System

Apr 30, 2020 | Blog

3 reasons why you need a better construction equipment tracking system

If you work in the construction industry, you’ll know how important it is to track and manage your tools. If you’re still experiencing some issues, however, you may need a better construction equipment tracking system.

For example, if tools still regularly go missing, if you don’t know who’s using what, or if you’re spending too much time on asset retrieval, you may need a better construction equipment tracking system. 

Let’s take a look at some of the key signs that indicate you need a better equipment management system.

 

1) Missing Tools

If your tools regularly go missing, you need a better way of tracking their whereabouts, seeing who had an asset last and holding people accountable for lost assets.

Missing tools can be as a result of theft but it can also be due to construction projects often being somewhat of a logistical nightmare. So, if someone has left a tool somewhere unknown, or worse, if a tool is left at a different site, you may need a better system in place to track these tools.

 

Solution: Construction Tool Tracking Apps

Using QR code asset tags, you’ll be able to track your tools with a construction tool tracking app. This way, every time a tool moves, its QR code can be scanned, updating its geolocation.

Construction tool tracking apps speed up your asset retrieval processes and help you find all of your tools for use much faster.

 

2) Unclear Maintenance Schedules

Asset downtime is necessary. Tools need to be calibrated and maintained, whether pre-emptively or reactively.

If you find yourself not knowing when a construction tool or piece of equipment is undergoing downtime and maintenance, it may be helpful to invest in a better construction equipment tracking system.

 

Solution: Construction Equipment Maintenance Software

Implement a construction equipment tracking process in your business that allows you and your colleagues to checkout equipment so that you can see at a glance whether the asset you need to maintain is required by anyone else int he business. Additionally, you can set reminders to show when maintenance is required so that your colleagues have full visibility over when assets will be unavailable.

With an effective issues management system, you’ll also be able to see which tools and equipment need more immediate maintenance and notify your team more effectively.

More clarity when it comes to maintenance and calibration schedules means less asset downtime, and more clarity of what’s available for use means a more efficient workforce. Now that’s something we all strive for!

 

3) Limited Accountability and Audit Trails

Finally, audit trails and accountability are necessary for any number of reasons.

If you don’t know information about asset movement, depreciation, finances, insurance details, or even specific compliance information, it may be time to invest in a better construction equipment tracking system.

 

Solution: Construction Equipment Asset Management

Construction equipment tracking allows you to create and maintain an effective fixed asset register.

This means you’ll be able to run reports about asset maintenance, movement, use, and finances, tying together all of the previous problems, and giving you better records.

Equipment asset management helps you see everything your assets do on a day to day basis, with any changes or updates occurring in real-time. 

Having exportable reports, therefore, allows you to keep this information for insurance, compliance, financial, and decision-making purposes.

itemit’s construction equipment tracking system can solve these three problems for you. itemit’s system allows you to maintain, manage, and update your assets. From seeing where they’ve been, to who’s using them, to how they’re being used, itemit will improve the process of asset tracking in your business.

To find out more, you can contact the team at team@itemit.com or fill in the form below.

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The Complete Guide to Fixed Asset Tagging

Apr 29, 2020 | Blog

the complete guide to fixed asset tagging

Fixed asset tagging is a way of looking after your things. Your business will have multiple fixed assets, permanent fixtures that make you money, and these need to be tracked and maintained to keep your business running.

How does fixed asset tagging help? It shows you all asset use, movement, location, and maintenance data. This data helps with transparency, responsibility, and accountability, overall creating more clarity for any decision-making processes.

 

What is Fixed Asset Tagging?

Fixed asset tagging is how you link up your fixed assets to an online fixed asset register. What this means is all of your physical fixed assets can be viewed and edited in an online profile, on an app or web portal.

A fixed asset tag is a physical tag that you stick onto your fixed asset. This way, whenever an asset is scanned, the asset’s location is tracked and automatically updated in the system.

With fixed asset tagging, therefore, you can scan a QR code asset tag to view an asset’s profile, and add information such as “undergoing maintenance”, or check the asset out amongst other things.

 

QR Code Asset Tags

One of the most common tagging methods is to use QR code tags or barcodes. QR codes and barcodes are low-cost but can also be very durable, customisable, and bespoke, meaning they can be used for all manner of fixed asset tracking. Read more here on why usually QR codes are better than barcodes.

The best thing about QR codes is that most smartphones have an in-built QR reader, meaning that you already have everything you need to start tracking your fixed assets in your pocket.

Simply download the itemit app, link up the QR codes, and start tracking. The asset tracking system will then use location data from your phone to update geolocation whenever a QR code fixed asset tag is scanned.

 

Other Asset Labels

There are other forms of asset label that you can use. These include data matrix labels and RFID tag labels, to name just a few. The decision of which asset tag type is best for you comes down to 1) your budget 2) your requirements and 3) the scale and amount of movement your fixed assets go through. If you’d like to find out more about your asset tagging options, drop us an email: team@itemit.com and we’ll be very happy to give you some advice.

If you choose RFID asset tags, for example, you’ll need a third-party reader, which quickly increases the price of your fixed asset management efforts, something that is very valuable in certain circumstances. One of the great benefits of RFID asset labels is that they don’t require a line of sight to be scanned. Therefore, you’ll be able to use them for high-value asset tracking, as these asset labels can be hidden.

You can also use GPS tagging to track the location of your assets in real-time. This is especially helpful if your fixed assets move long distances. For example, if you have tools and equipment that are required across a county, or even on a national scale.

 

Linking With Fixed Asset Register Software

Once you’ve chosen your fixed asset tags, whether QR codes, RFID tags, GPS, Barcodes or BLE tags, all you have to do is use them to link up your physical assets with your fixed asset register software.

To do this is simple. Create the profile for the asset, populate it with any information, such as depreciation, financial, usage, quantity, warranty info, etc. 

Then, stick the tag onto your asset, open the asset’s profile, and scan the tag.

Now, every time you scan that tag, you’ll be able to view the required information, log and track maintenance, report issues, and check the asset in and out.

To find out more about our fixed asset tags, you can contact the team at team@itemit.com, or by phone at 01223421611.

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What is Construction Equipment Maintenance Software?

Apr 28, 2020 | Blog

What is construction equipment maintenance software?

Construction equipment needs to be tracked and managed to ensure it’s compliant and running to the best of its ability. This includes a lot of calibration, a lot of maintenance, and a lot of flexibility.

You need to be able to monitor your construction equipment constantly, should it need necessary downtime. At first thought, this may seem stressful or complicated, but does it need to be?

With construction equipment maintenance software, you’ll be able to monitor asset condition, depreciation, and all necessary maintenance with ease. 

 

What Can Construction Equipment Maintenance Software Do?

Construction equipment maintenance software can help you log and monitor your tools and equipment. Instead of having to go through a spreadsheet manually, or have an analogue word of mouth or emailing system, issues can be logged against assets themselves, streamlining reactive maintenance.

The entire process is simple, no matter what you’re using construction equipment asset management for, whether managing equipment maintenance or to create transparent location data.

With QR code asset tags, logging issues and finding equipment is simple.

 

Maintenance and Construction Equipment Tracking

For your larger pieces of construction equipment, we recommend using heavy duty tags. We provide durable anodised aluminium tags that can withstand more weathering and being thrown around in the back of a van.

After the asset is tagged and logged, whether it be a pneumatic drill or even a crane or digger, you can start tracking it. 

In theory, larger pieces of equipment will go through fewer changes in their lifecycle. They’ll still need reactive and routine maintenance, however. This is why construction equipment maintenance software allows you to raise issues and set reminders against assets.

Simply view what needs seeing to, whether the notification is an issue or a reminder, and see to it! Construction equipment maintenance software helps you view what needs to be done, and helps you prioritise your maintenance effectively.

 

Maintenance and Small Tools Tracking

Small tools also require tracking. Usually, small tools can be tagged with our vinyl sticker QR tags, as they’ll go through less weathering.

Small tools, however, will also go through a lot more changes in their lifecycle. There’ll be a more frequent need for calibrations, which is why a reminders feature further helps with clarity, no matter what construction equipment you’re tracking.

You can also assign small tools to colleagues, so you can see who is responsible for what. Having this in tandem with maintenance history shows you if someone may require more training if they’re breaking tools.

Overall, construction equipment maintenance software shows you who’s using what, what needs to be fixed, and maintenance history. Maintenance history against small tools shows you when it’s time to replace something, rather than spend the time and money fixing it yet another time.

 

Equipment Checkout Software for Downtime

The final thing construction equipment asset management can help you do is check equipment out so that you know in real-time where your assets are and who has them. There’s really no limit to what you can use equipment checkout software for!

So, if you want your workforce to see that some small tools or other construction equipment are unavailable, you’ll be able to use equipment checkout software to do so. This is the case if your equipment is in use, or if it’s undergoing downtime for maintenance.

itemit’s construction equipment maintenance can do all of this for you and more. To find out more, you can contact the team at team@itemit.com, or fill in the form below.

Try Construction Equipment Maintenance Software With a Free Trial

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