The right asset tracking software can save you a lot of time if you run a business. When assets are misplaced it’s easy to spend time looking for them. When they break, having one less asset to use can mean less work is completed. Using asset tracking software can help to remedy both of these issues.
There are many benefits associated with using the right tracking software. Here are just some of them:
Maintenance Costs Are Decreased
It is possible to substantially reduce all of your maintenance costs when you track your assets. itemit’s tracking software allows users to alert the maintenance team when an asset becomes damaged. The maintenance team can then choose to prepare the asset for maintenance.
What this ultimately means is that tools and equipment are likely to be repaired much more quickly. There will be fewer ghost assets and more tasks are likely to be performed on time. Additionally, if an asset is found to be broken, the maintenance team can ask for a replacement. Knowing that an asset is not functioning well if at all, means it’s more likely to be replaced. As a result, every team member is more likely to have the tools they need to complete their tasks on time.
It’s Possible to Save Money
It is entirely possible to save money when asset tracking software is being used. This is as a result of being able to make better purchasing decisions. Additionally, a maintenance schedule that’s adhered to can result in potential issues being spotted. When equipment is inspected and repaired frequently, it means it’s likely to last longer. As a result, less money will be spent on replacing assets. Additionally, much-needed funds can be diverted to other areas of the business.
Time is Saved
Most people are aware of how much time they can spend trying to find an asset. However, when itemit’s tracking software is used, it virtually eliminates the search process. When searching for a specific asset, users of the software simply need to log into itemit. Upon login, they can select the asset they need. With a click of a button, it is possible to see where the asset’s last-known location is. As a result, the asset can be retrieved easily and used as needed.
There is a lot less need to go from department to department searching for assets. Users can find out where they are. As long as the assets have a QR code tag attached, it’s possible to find out it’s last seen location.
It’s Easier to Carry Out Audits
When asset tracking software is used, it’s easier to carry out audits. As soon as users log into itemit’s menu, they can see how many tools they have. There will be lists of all the equipment in stock and any other assets that are of importance.
Users can also see each asset’s
- Description
- Location
- Date of purchase
- Warranty information
- Insurance details
- Photographs
- Estimated value
- Estimated longevity
- State of repair
- And any other relevant information
Carrying out audits can often be a hard task. However, when every piece of relevant information is added to itemit’s system, it’s possible to make the auditing process much easier.
Access Can Be Gained From Multiple Devices
itemit’s software can be accessed from multiple devices. Users do not have to be sitting at a computer to have access to the software. They can access the software via their mobile phones or tablets. This ultimately means that access can be gained no matter where the users are. As long as they are connected to the internet, users can log in to itemit’s menus and track multiple devices.
itemit can be used:
- In offices
- On construction sites
- In schools
- On a train
- In a hospital
- At home
- In the studio
- In a car
- And many other locations
As you can see, itemit’s tracking software can be accessed from almost anywhere. This makes it highly convenient to use.
Use itemit’s Asset Tracking Software
Using itemit’s asset tracking software clearly has many advantages. Easy to use, the software can help businesses everywhere to run more efficiently. Gone are the days when audits take far too long, now audits can take place within hours. Users can see what equipment they have and where it is at all times. This can save both time and money as tasks are performed quickly and with ease.
If you would like to learn more about itemit’s asset tracking software, contact our friendly and helpful team today. You can reach them at team@itemit.com. Alternatively, you may want to consider signing up for our 14-day Free Trial to find out just how well itemit’s software can work for you. We’re confident that you will love the software’s features and how it can improve the day-to-day running of almost any business.
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Choose a better way to track your assets. Start your free 14-day trial now!
Asset tracking providers often present customers with two primary options: GPS technology or QR codes. These technologies frequently compete for market share, with many businesses unaware that they can serve similar functions. However, QR codes typically outperform GPS in versatility and functionality.
For businesses maintaining ICT asset registers or monitoring vehicle fleets, understanding the strengths and limitations of each system matters.
Let's examine these technologies alongside newer options like RFID and NFC to help you make better decisions about asset management.
GPS Tracking Technology Explained
GPS has become commonplace for drivers navigating unfamiliar routes. This satellite-based technology constantly transmits signals to your device, pinpointing your exact location. For asset tracking, GPS functions similarly by showing where specific items are located.
An interesting historical note: GPS was first developed for military applications before becoming available for civilian and commercial use.
Companies typically deploy GPS tracking for vehicle fleets, though many organisations also use it to monitor warehouse assets that move between locations. For complete information about managing physical business property, our guide on Fixed Assets provides valuable insights.
GPS for Business Asset Tracking
GPS tracking offers several distinct advantages for business asset management:
- Real-time monitoring: GPS provides location data without requiring staff intervention, reducing human error while enabling 24/7 surveillance.
- Geographic precision: Modern GPS systems achieve accuracy within 3-5 meters, sufficient for most commercial applications.
- Theft recovery: According to insurance industry data, the ability to track stolen equipment improves recovery rates by up to 85%.
- Movement history: Most GPS platforms store historical movement data, allowing businesses to analyse usage patterns and optimise asset deployment.
- Geofencing capabilities: Companies can establish virtual boundaries that trigger alerts when assets leave designated areas, enhancing security protocols.
However, GPS technology brings notable limitations for comprehensive asset management:
- Update frequency constraints: Standard business GPS systems refresh every 10-15 minutes, creating blind spots in high-speed movement scenarios.
- Battery dependency: Active GPS trackers require power sources, necessitating regular maintenance or charging cycles.
- Signal interference issues: GPS performance deteriorates inside buildings, underground locations, or areas with heavy concrete or metal infrastructure.
- Implementation costs: Quality GPS hardware typically costs $50-300 per unit plus ongoing subscription fees ranging from $10-25 monthly per device.
- Size and attachment challenges: GPS trackers remain too bulky for smaller assets and require secure mounting systems to prevent removal.
- Limited data capacity: Unlike tag-based alternatives, GPS primarily delivers location data without storing extensive asset details.
These constraints explain why many operations managers complement GPS with alternative asset tracking tags that address these limitations. For stationary assets or equipment housed primarily indoors, passive tracking systems often deliver better value and functionality.
QR Code Technology
QR (Quick Response) codes resemble traditional barcodes but store significantly more information in their square matrix pattern. Nearly any smartphone or tablet can scan and interpret QR codes within seconds, making them highly accessible.
QR codes have quietly integrated into daily life—restaurants place them on tables for digital menus, theatres use them for seat-based ordering, and marketers embed them in advertisements for instant website access.
Like GPS, QR codes help monitor asset registers and track locations. However, they offer expanded functionality beyond simple location data. For those building IT equipment inventories, What is an IT Asset Register? explains key implementation concepts.
QR Codes in Practice
For businesses implementing QR code asset management, several key advantages emerge:
- Information density: A single QR code can store up to 4,296 alphanumeric characters, enabling comprehensive asset profiles including serial numbers, purchase dates, warranty information, maintenance histories, and responsible departments.
- Cost efficiency: QR labels cost between $0.05 and $0.30 per unit with no recurring fees, representing 70-95% cost savings compared to active tracking technologies.
- Implementation simplicity: Deployment requires minimal technical expertise—standard label printers generate QR codes that attach via adhesive backing or cable ties.
- Device compatibility: Over 97% of modern smartphones can scan QR codes without additional hardware or specialised apps.
- Customisation options: Enterprise QR solutions allow for custom branding, colour-coding by department, and tamper-evident features.
- Dynamic updating: Cloud-connected QR systems enable real-time information updates without replacing physical tags.
Integration capabilities: Modern QR systems integrate with ERP, CMMS, and accounting software through standard APIs, creating unified data ecosystems.
However, QR technology presents several notable limitations:
- Scan dependency: QR codes remain passive—they require manual scanning rather than automatically broadcasting locations.
- Line-of-sight requirement: Tags must be visible and accessible to be scanned, which can be challenging for assets in hard-to-reach locations.
- Environmental vulnerabilities: Standard QR labels can degrade from UV exposure, abrasion, or harsh chemicals, though industrial-grade options mitigate this issue.
- Security considerations: Public QR codes can be replaced or duplicated without sophisticated tampering detection, creating potential security vulnerabilities.
- Process reliance: Effectiveness depends entirely on consistent scanning protocols and staff compliance.
- Location triangulation limits: Without supplementary technologies, QR codes cannot provide autonomous location data.
To address these limitations, many organisations implement hybrid systems where QR codes work alongside checkpoint scanners at entry/exit points or integrate with Wi-Fi positioning systems for approximate indoor location data. This approach balances QR's information richness with improved location awareness without the full cost of active GPS or RFID asset tags.
RFID and NFC: Advanced Asset Tracking Alternatives
RFID vs NFC technologies represent sophisticated alternatives to traditional tracking methods, each with distinct operational characteristics:
RFID Technology Specifications
RFID asset tags operate through radio frequency identification in three primary frequency ranges:
- Low Frequency (LF, 125-134 kHz): 10cm read range, slower data transmission, excellent performance around metals and liquids, commonly used for animal tracking and access control
- High Frequency (HF, 13.56 MHz): 10-30cm read range, moderate data speeds, used extensively in library books, pharmaceuticals, and payment cards
- Ultra-High Frequency (UHF, 856-960 MHz): 3-15m read range, fastest data transmission, susceptible to interference from liquids and metals, widely deployed in supply chain tracking and retail inventory
RFID implementation offers distinct advantages:
- Batch scanning capability: A single reader can simultaneously capture 200+ tags per second, reducing inventory time by up to 95% compared to barcode methods
- Non-line-of-sight reading: Tags function even when covered, dirty, or embedded within products
- Durability: Industrial-grade tags withstand temperatures from -40°F to 400°F, chemical exposure, and mechanical stress
- Data security: Enterprise RFID systems employ encryption standards like AES-128 to prevent unauthorised access
- Automated inventory: Fixed RFID portals at entry/exit points create autonomous tracking without human intervention
Hardware costs present the primary barrier to RFID adoption:
- Tag costs: $0.10-$0.50 for passive paper tags; $2-$25 for hardened industrial tags
- Reader costs: $500-$2,000 for handheld units; $1,500-$5,000 for fixed portal readers
- Infrastructure costs: Enterprise implementations typically require middleware ($5,000-$25,000) plus integration services
NFC Technology Applications
RFID asset tags operate through radio frequency identification in three primary frequency ranges:
- Low Frequency (LF, 125-134 kHz): 10cm read range, slower data transmission, excellent performance around metals and liquids, commonly used for animal tracking and access control
- High Frequency (HF, 13.56 MHz): 10-30cm read range, moderate data speeds, used extensively in library books, pharmaceuticals, and payment cards
- Ultra-High Frequency (UHF, 856-960 MHz): 3-15m read range, fastest data transmission, susceptible to interference from liquids and metals, widely deployed in supply chain tracking and retail inventory
RFID implementation offers distinct advantages:
- Batch scanning capability: A single reader can simultaneously capture 200+ tags per second, reducing inventory time by up to 95% compared to barcode methods
- Non-line-of-sight reading: Tags function even when covered, dirty, or embedded within products
- Durability: Industrial-grade tags withstand temperatures from -40°F to 400°F, chemical exposure, and mechanical stress
- Data security: Enterprise RFID systems employ encryption standards like AES-128 to prevent unauthorised access
- Automated inventory: Fixed RFID portals at entry/exit points create autonomous tracking without human intervention
Hardware costs present the primary barrier to RFID adoption:
- Tag costs: $0.10-$0.50 for passive paper tags; $2-$25 for hardened industrial tags
- Reader costs: $500-$2,000 for handheld units; $1,500-$5,000 for fixed portal readers
- Infrastructure costs: Enterprise implementations typically require middleware ($5,000-$25,000) plus integration services
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