As a business owner, you must protect the valuable tools and equipment you use every day against theft. It is far too easy for employees or even customers to walk away with items such as electronics or hand tools, and then sell them for easy cash online or in pawn shops. An asset tracking system is one of the best ways to ensure your items do not end up for sale on Craigslist, Ebay, or in pawn shops.
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How Does it Work?
An asset tracking system utilizes technology to help business owners track physical objects, in addition to providing information as to how and where they are used. Assets may be tagged with a barcode or QR code, either of which could then be scanned with a smart phone or hand held scanner in order to gather information. Some items may also be marked with an RFID or GPS tag. A special software program is used to compile information, providing individuals with important data about their assets in real time.
Benefits
Having an asset tracking system in place will allow you to see at a glance where each item in your inventory is located. This can be especially useful information to have if you regularly need to transfer equipment from one location to another. Many asset tracking systems do not require any additional hardware, as a good number of them can operate with only a computer or tablet. Mobile apps are also available, making it easy to keep track of your assets even when you are away from your office.
Acts as a Deterrent
The biggest benefit to having an asset tracking system is the fact that it acts as a deterrent. If employees know an item contains a GPS or RFID chip, they are less likely to “borrow” things for their own personal use. They are also less likely to try to sell these items online or at pawn shops. Workers will know there is a chance that someone will have visibility of that asset at the same time they are trying to sell it, in which case they will be exposed for their misdeeds.
Useful for Prosecuting
An asset tracking system won’t stop every instance of theft from happening, but it will often provide you with the evidence that’s needed for an arrest. Asset tracking software can allow you to run numerous reports that will give law enforcement enough information to thoroughly investigate a crime. This information might even be used to persuade a judge to sign a search warrant to recover your items. That same data will become very useful during a trial as well.
As a business owner, you have better things to do than to constantly check Craigslist ads or stop by pawn shops to see if your tools and equipment are being sold. The right asset management system can help you save time and protect your valuables, so that you can be free to focus on more important tasks.
