Can’t find tools when you need them? Can’t get anyone to admit they have the tools now? Can’t get anyone to admit they ever had those tools, especially the mangled one? It’s a common lament among maintenance managers, tool crib supervisors, and contractors. But, really, there’s a fairly simple solution that meets the challenge of managing and maintaining tool inventory – BARCODE! Maintain tool inventory and manage tool use by implementing barcode solutions for tool tracking.
Whether the tools are considered consumables, such as gloves, hats, hammers and such; or, whether they’re inventory or assets – ladders, portable generators, drills, etc. – they can be tracked and monitored using barcode solutions for tool tracking. It may sound like an un-championable cause, but when one considers the capital investment a business has in tool assets, tracking assets is a good way to get a handle on unnecessary revenue losses. Tools that are misplaced, tools that are unnecessarily duplicated, tools that “fall off the truck”, these cost money, and we all know money doesn’t grow on trees. A good barcode solution for tool tracking can easily provide an ROI of 3 to 6 months.
So, now that you’re interested in barcode solutions for tool tracking, let me point you in the direction of a couple of good barcode solutions for tool tracking to consider. As with any asset tracking solution, it’s a waste of time if the information isn’t easily obtainable, isn’t readily available and doesn’t provide the reports necessary when they’re needed. Asset Tracking data has to be accurate, on time and confirmable. Asset Tracking data also needs to be monitored and managed, much like any inventory management or inventory maintenance application would do
Here are some suggestions to implement barcode solutions for tool tracking:
• Assess the current tool inventory – Can any tools be repaired or re-cycled? Where are the tools – at least, where are the ones that can be found?
• Alert employees, staff and contractors that there’s a new sheriff in town - not to intimidate, but to let them know a system is going to be implemented. It’s more difficult to manage any asset tracking process when the users involved don’t feel involved or in the loop.
• Implement a plan for tracking tools with barcode – users will need to be assigned ID’s, preferably barcoded. They will also need to understand they will be assigned tools and with the barcode tracking process in place, they will ultimately be responsible for them; not from a punitive standpoint, but simply so that the company can stay in business and not have to invest in unnecessary expenditures for tools. The plan is to implement a good barcode software solution and track tools - who they were assigned to, where they are, what condition they are in. No tool is too small to track with barcode - micro barcode dots can attached to surprisingly small items, and items can also be "binned" for tool tracking. In the process, don’t forget to assign home base locations for tools. These can be jobsites, warehouse or tool crib shelves….even Jim’s truck.
• Barcode Solutions for Tool Tracking and asset tracking barcode applications abound, but not all are created equal. Critical considerations for implementing barcode solutions for tool tracking, or any inventory management application, are: ease of installation, ease of use, effectiveness of product and cost basis. Good tool tracking software doesn’t have to be so cumbersome as to require hours of complicated installation on multiple hosts. Good tool tracking software doesn’t have to be so cluttered and filled with functional stuff that it takes weeks to train users. Good software needs to provide for basic barcode input and data management; it makes little sense to have to manually enter barcode data into a tool tracking barcode solution. Last, good tool tracking software doesn’t have to be prohibitively expensive for all but the most deep pocketed businesses.
GigaTrak Barcode Solutions specializes in asset tracking, inventory management and tool tracking software solutions. GigaTrak Barcode Solutions Group knows that tool tracking is a necessity, not a whim. GigaTrak’s Barcode Solutions for Tool Tracking include TTS (Tool Tracking Software) in three versions: Basic, Professional and Contractor. GigaTrak’s Barcode Solutions for Tool Tracking also include STS (Storeroom Tracking Software) which also allows Service and Repair business, as well as toolcrib or internal maintenance departments track tools for internal use, or track tools as primarily consumable items. GigaTrak’s Barcode Solutions for Tool Tracking and Barcode Solutions for Consumables Tracking include automated scanned barcode input, instant historical, costing and usage information in the form of online access or reports generated on demand
GigaTrak Barcode Solutions - specializing in barcode software solutions, barcode hardware systems, tool tracking barcode solutions, asset and inventory control management, and valued customer relationships for two decades. TTS (Tool Tracking Software) Basic, complete with barcode hardware, starts at less than $2600, including startup support. Call GigaTrak @ 877-204-9237 or visit our website and view our Tool Tracking Barcode Solutions products: www.gigatrak.com