No matter whether you are in the business of renting equipment to third parties or simply are part of a large firm that is trying to keep tabs on numerous pieces of equipment, without the use of an effective asset management tracking system, even the simplest of tasks can become time-consuming. For companies or organizations that track dozens if not hundreds of assets, this challenge is magnified.
Something as straightforward as knowing where individual assets are located can require logging into a computer to pull up files and records that you must then sort through. Or, for some less modern companies, this may entail going the manual route of looking through paper records that are filed away in a cabinet.
If you’re tracking large assets such as heavy construction equipment that is left in the field, without the use of global positioning system (GPS) technology, how do you know it is where it’s supposed to be?
Here are a few of the ways that an effective GPS asset tracking system takes the guesswork out of asset management and saves you both time and money.
Locate Equipment and Other Assets with Accuracy
GPS asset tracking technology enables you to easily track assets tagged with tracking devices in real time with precision. Although this technology is commonly used to track vehicles for fleet management, it can be used to track just about anything:
- Medical supplies and equipment
- Pharmaceutical cargo
- Generators
- Refrigerated trailers
- Hard copy IT data backups
- Suitcases, laptops, and other valuables
- Packages, envelopes, and other small items
But, wait — “How can you track an envelope?” you may wonder. “GPS tracking devices are too large and heavy to fit inside an envelope!”
While that is true about many devices, it’s not true about RastracGo, our latest portable tracking solution. This small device with big capabilities isn’t any bigger than the size of a credit card, making it easy to fit inside of an envelope or package. It is so lightweight that you can carry it on a keyring or even use zip ties to attach it to smaller equipment that you wish to keep track of daily. And, it connects easily to Rastrac’s GPS asset management software for remote tracking.
When choosing asset tracking software from Rastrac, you have the option of either purchasing stand-alone software or use the web-based solution hosted in the cloud. Our GPS tracking software has a variety of customizable features and dashboard tools to meet your business’s needs.
For example, using its geofencing tool, you can set virtual boundaries around real-world geographic locations to specify a variety of areas, such as worksites, your company’s office building, warehouse, or other storage areas. The tool’s geofencing by corridor function also allows you to get those boundaries along roads or highways that your asset will travel to know whether it deviates from its assigned route during transport.
You also can enjoy automatic alert notifications when any tagged assets enter or leave those specific areas.
Track More Than Just Asset Locations
When you are choosing the right asset tracking system for your business, it’s important to know some of the standard features that are available in different units. This way you can find the right device(s) to meet your needs.
Specialized asset tracking devices have different capabilities and can allow you to track a variety of features and events remotely, including:
- Motion, such as acceleration and deceleration
- Asset activation and deactivation
- Asset location
- Hours of operation
- Door openings and closings
- Temperature
This remote tracking capability enables you to stay informed about the condition and use of your assets — whether they are in the field, being rented out, or simply sitting in a warehouse.
Never Again Second Guess the Accuracy of Your Records
When you’re dealing with paper records or even electronic records that are manually being reported by employees in the field or people typing in an office, mistakes can happen. Or, customers can intentionally misrepresent hours of usage or fuel used on rented equipment, which can unnecessarily increase overhead costs.
By using top quality asset tracking software, you can automate many of these monotonous yet important documentation processes. This saves you both time and money knowing that you have access to the most accurate information possible simply by running a report.
You also can set the reports to automatically generate and send to you on a regular schedule via email. And, when you need a quick answer to a specific question, you can use the software to look for the information you need at the moment you need it. This can help you make decisions based on real, accurate, and actionable data.
No longer do you have to worry about tracking hours of usage on a generator or how long it’s been since each asset has had a tune-up or preventative maintenance. With Rastrac’s intuitive asset management solutions, you can enjoy the benefits of detailed record-keeping while the software does the work for you.
Keep Assets on Regular Maintenance Schedules
A major benefit of using a GPS asset management system is that you can easily track how often preventative maintenance has been performed on a vehicle or other asset. Using the software, you can access the records quickly and efficiently for each vehicle or piece of equipment. By tracking usage statistics for the hours the assets have operated and how much time has passed since its most recent maintenance check, it can help you to reduce costly repairs and keeps your assets running in top condition.
Additionally, you can set reminder notifications for when maintenance will again be due on each asset, making scheduling and maintenance tracking more efficient.
Rastrac is a leader in the asset tracking and management industry. Connect with us today to learn how we can help enhance your business operations through reliable and industry-trusted GPS tracking and asset management.
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