Guide to Asset Tracking Software
Asset tracking software is a solution used to monitor the usage of assets such as computers, vehicles, and hardware. It allows businesses to see where all their resources are located and how they’re being utilized. It also helps them better manage their assets, reduce losses due to theft or mismanagement, and ensure that optimal performance is being achieved from each asset.
The main components of asset tracking software include tracking devices (which use GPS or RFID technology), web-based software for easy monitoring, and an integrated database. A tracking device can be attached to any asset you wish to track (such as a laptop or vehicle) and will record where it goes and how long it has been there. The data generated by these devices is then sent over the internet to the database, which can easily accessed via the web-based software system. This database contains detailed information on each tracked asset such as its location at any given time, associated costs, maintenance history/records, etc.
Asset tracking software makes it easier for organizations to track their assets in real time – something manual processes have always been unable to do reliably – while also providing improved insights into usage patterns so issues can be proactively identified before they become serious problems. Additionally, because the data is securely stored in a digital format rather than paper files or spreadsheets (as was common in past decades), it’s much easier for companies to access whatever information they need in order to make decisions about their assets with confidence. Finally, privacy concerns are minimized since users must log into the online system using unique credentials that allow only certain people access specific asset data; this ensures unwanted parties cannot gain access without permission from authorized personnel within the organization.
In conclusion: Asset tracking software provides organizations with automated solutions for managing their assets more effectively by securely storing up-to-date information on the whereabouts and utilization patterns of these items while also offering improved security against unauthorized access attempts by third parties.
Asset Tracking Software Features
- GPS tracking - Asset tracking software can use GPS technology to monitor the location of a particular asset or group of assets as they move across an area. By utilizing Global Positioning Systems, users can easily and quickly track the whereabouts of their assets in real time.
- Monitor Assets - Asset tracking software allows users to monitor various aspects of their assets such as temperature, pressure, vibrations, and other conditions which may indicate problems before they become severe. This is especially useful for preventing damage to expensive equipment or components.
- Cellular Connection - Many asset tracking systems are designed to operate on cellular networks so you can keep track of your vehicle or another asset even when out of range of Wi-Fi or other wired connections.
- Notifications and Alerts - With an asset tracking system, you can set up alerts that will notify you when an item is moved from one location to another, when it reaches its destination, or if any issues arise with its condition.
- Sensors & Data Collection – A good asset tracking system should allow for custom sensor integration so that you can collect more detailed information about your assets’ conditions and usage in order to gain better insights into how they’re performing.
- Predictive Maintenance – Predictive maintenance capabilities also enable users to identify potential problems before they occur, allowing them to take preventative measures and avoid costly breakdowns and repairs.
What Are the Different Types of Asset Tracking Software?
- Fleet Asset Tracking Software: This type of software is used to track fleets of vehicles, including their locations and other useful metrics, such as fuel usage and driver performance.
- Warehouse Asset Tracking Software: This type of software is designed to keep track of the inventory in a warehouse or other facility. It can help with tracking shipments, managing orders, and generating reports on the movement of assets within the facility.
- Fixed Asset Tracking Software: This type of software is most commonly used by businesses that own large numbers of expensive items such as equipment, furniture, and vehicles. The software helps to monitor all these items and provides detailed reports about them.
- Network Asset Tracking Software: This type of software helps IT, professionals, to monitor their network devices and the data flowing through them. The data can be used for troubleshooting or analyzing potential security risks.
- Mobile Asset Tracking Software: This type of software allows businesses to track their mobile assets such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, etc., even when they are not connected to a network. It provides insights into who has access to what device at any given time and whether it has been tampered with or stolen.
- RFID Asset Tracking Software: This type of software uses radio frequency identification tags (RFID) embedded in items in order to store information about those items in a database. It enables businesses to quickly locate an item without having to manually search for it within a particular area or environment.
Recent Trends Related to Asset Tracking Software
- Automated asset tracking systems are becoming increasingly popular as businesses strive to optimize their operations.
- Cloud-based asset tracking systems are being adopted by many businesses due to the ease of use and cost savings associated with them.
- IoT (Internet of Things) enabled asset tracking systems are becoming more popular as they allow for enhanced visibility into assets, enabling businesses to better monitor and manage them.
- Asset tracking software is being used to track mobile equipment, reducing the need for manual labor. This is helping businesses save time and money.
- The use of RFID (radio frequency identification) tags is becoming more common in asset tracking software as they allow for quick and accurate scanning of assets in real-time.
- Asset tracking software is being used to improve compliance with regulatory standards, as well as helping businesses keep track of warranties and service contracts.
- Asset tracking software is also being used to improve inventory management, allowing businesses to better track their stock levels and reduce the risk of overstocking or understocking.
- Predictive analytics capabilities are being incorporated into asset tracking software, allowing businesses to anticipate maintenance needs and reduce downtime caused by unexpected repairs or replacements.
Advantages Provided by Asset Tracking Software
- Improved Decision Making: Asset tracking software enables organizations to quickly locate, analyze and report on asset information. This allows them to make more informed decisions when it comes to asset management.
- Streamlined Processes: Asset tracking software streamlines and automates the processes associated with asset management, such as auditing, reporting, depreciation and inventory control. By doing so, it increases efficiency and reduces costs associated with the manual processing of data.
- Increased Visibility: Asset tracking software provides a comprehensive view of an organization’s assets at all times. This allows organizations to keep track of their assets, whether they are in use or not, which makes it easier to identify potential problems before they become costly issues.
- Reduced Losses: With asset tracking software, organizations can monitor their assets more closely and be alerted if any go missing or are stolen. This helps reduce losses due to theft or misplacement.
- Improved Accountability: By having detailed records of each asset's whereabouts and usage history, organizations can ensure that employees are held accountable for the way they handle company assets.
- Enhanced Security: Asset tracking software can help protect an organization's valuable resources by ensuring all activities related to an asset's movement is tracked in real-time.
How to Select the Right Asset Tracking Software
- Identify and define your requirements: Think about what you need from a tracking system in order to meet your specific needs. Consider factors such as the types of assets you have, the size of your organization, and any special features that might be beneficial for you.
- Compare features: Look for features that will help simplify and streamline your asset-tracking process so that it is more efficient and effective. Evaluate each product’s pricing structure and read customer reviews to get an idea of how well they perform in practice.
- Schedule a demo or trial period: Take advantage of any opportunities to test out or demo various software before making a decision. This can help provide insights into how user-friendly the platform is and if certain features function as expected.
- Make sure the software is secure and compliant with data privacy regulations if applicable: Ensure that all personal data stored within the system is kept secure at all times by using strict authentication protocols and encryption standards whenever possible or necessary.
- Evaluate customer support: Ask potential vendors about their customer service policies, including response times, availability, training programs offered, etc., to ensure that you’ll receive quality assistance when needed in the future.
Utilize the tools given on this page to examine asset tracking software in terms of price, features, integrations, user reviews, and more.
What Types of Users Use Asset Tracking Software?
- Delivery Organizations: Asset tracking software allows delivery organizations to store detailed data about their assets and keep track of their location in real-time. This helps managers quickly view the location of any asset and arrange for efficient delivery routes.
- Law Enforcement Agencies: Asset tracking software allows law enforcement agencies to monitor and manage their crime scenes, as well as track evidence. The software can also be used to monitor convictions, document suspects, review case files, and more.
- Warehouse Managers: Warehouse managers use asset tracking software to efficiently keep track of inventory levels and locations within the warehouse. With this software, they can easily determine what needs restocking or is about to expire and ensure that products are easily found when needed.
- Retailers: Retailers use asset tracking software to help identify movement throughout their stores and better understand customer buying habits. By analyzing customer interactions with products throughout the store, retailers can create targeted marketing campaigns that drive sales growth.
- Healthcare Organizations: Healthcare organizations use asset tracking software to manage patient records as well as medical devices such as MRI machines or surgical instruments. This helps ensure that these equipment items are accounted for at all times so that operations run smoothly and patients receive optimum care at all times.
- Government Agencies: Government agencies utilize asset tracking software to help govern large-scale projects involving multiple stakeholders across different departments or agencies. This helps them maintain a high level of visibility into budgets allocated toward each project while helping personnel collaborate more efficiently on tasks related to the project’s completion.
How Much Does Asset Tracking Software Cost?
The cost of asset tracking software can vary greatly depending on the features and capabilities you need. Generally speaking, most basic asset tracking software packages will start around $50/month for a cloud-based solution up to thousands of dollars per month for more comprehensive, enterprise-level solutions.
For those with lower budgets, there are also some excellent open-source and free asset tracking software options available. These range from bare-bones programs that may not offer all of the features of a paid solution to more robust programs with plenty of advanced functionality. The cost savings associated with these types of solutions can be substantial compared to their paid counterparts.
When choosing an asset tracking software package, it’s important to factor in not only the upfront cost but also any additional costs that may arise from customization or integration with other systems. Also, consider any potential ongoing maintenance fees and upgrades if you decide to use a customized solution or enterprise package on your own server.
What Software Can Integrate with Asset Tracking Software?
Asset tracking software can be integrated with a variety of different types of software. This includes customer relationship management (CRM) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), inventory management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions, accounting software, and third-party applications for eCommerce such as Shopify. By connecting asset tracking software to these other platforms, companies can create an automated system that allows them to track their assets from acquisition through disposal and gain valuable insights into the lifecycle of their assets. Integration with these other types of software helps companies streamline the asset tracking process and improve efficiency. Additionally, integrating asset tracking with e-commerce solutions makes it possible for customers to check real-time product availability online and helps ensure accurate ordering and inventory levels.