Asset Tracking System:

The Benefits of Tracking Asset Routes in the Cloud

BarCloud White Paper

Author: Tim Kotyuk | Copyright © 2015, All Rights Reserved

www.barcloud.net

BarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.netBarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.net

Asset Tracking:Benefits of Asset Route Tracking

2

Moment to moment, the way businesses deploy and manage fixed assets affects productivity and potential profits. One way to effectively track assets and improve operational efficiency is by implementing an intuitive asset tracking system enabled by barcode technology, mobile barcoding scanners, and/or smartphones

Although asset tracking systems do increase equipment traceability, knowing exactly how an asset traveled from one location to another is difficult to determine without a route tracking tool.

What is Asset Route Tracking?Asset Route tracking is designed to address transportation and logistical challenges by conveniently monitoring and recording the exact route an asset traveled from one location to another.

Why Invest in Route Tracking?Before even considering to invest in asset route tracking functionalities, it’s important to ask yourself these questions:

Do I lack insight on how assets ended up at specific locations?

Do I want to know the route an asset traveled?

Can I determine how far did assets travel?

Do I know long it took an asset to travel from one location to another?

Introduction

BarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.netBarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.net

Asset Tracking:Benefits of Asset Route Tracking

3

Asset Route Tracking is applicable in any type of asset tracking scenario in order to better understand where assets have been, as well as the time duration and distance traveled.

Job-site UtilizationIf you are a project manager in charge several projects, all of which are at separate locations, it is essential to track the whereabouts of each asset in use. Knowing the time and distance it took for assets to be deployed at multiple sites allows contractors to accurately forecast the completion of projects. Also, maintaining visibility of assets in use helps avoid any loss or misplacement that could ultimately delay project completion. Therefore, understanding where assets are and how they arrived at each location plays a critical role in the management of resources.

Typical Daily UseAsset route tracking can be used periodically or on a daily basis by simply tracking the travel details when transporting assets from one location to another. Whether you are moving one item or multiple items, asset route tracking is suitable for various workflows and contributes to better decision-making.

Scenarios

BarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.netBarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.net

Asset Tracking:Benefits of Asset Route Tracking

4

Today, businesses have a wide range of options for addressing route-tracking needs. Devices know as data loggers are typically used to track the path assets have traveled. For example, when a vehicle goes to and from a location, and you want to log the route taken using a data logger, you’ll need to physically retrieve the device in order to sync the collected data into a computer.

Types of data loggers include:

Clip-on data loggers/sensors: A small magnetic device running on batteries that can easily be removed from one vehicle to another.

Roof-top antenna data loggers: A small antenna that can be placed on the back truck or on top of each car for tracking purposes. These often function like the clip on devices previously mentioned.

Receiver: a hardware device specially made to record traveling history that plugs into the vehicle’s existing onboard diagnostic computer and electrical power.

Data loggers are commonly used and will definitely get the job done. These devices are mobile and small enough to place anywhere within a vehicle. Additionally, the amassed data can be transferred into a computer.

However, there are many disadvantages that come with purchasing this form of route-tracking hardware. They lack of durability — replacements often amount to roughly $50-300 a device. Secondly, how are you supposed to track the route of your equipment if you forget where data loggers are placed? Lastly, it takes an unnecessary amount of time and energy to complete the entire process of adding or removing devices from a vehicle, scanning additional assets, and plugging the device into a computer to sync the data.

RoutingHardware

BarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.netBarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.net

Asset Tracking:Benefits of Asset Route Tracking

5

In today’s world, leading edge asset management begins and ends with cloud-based tracking services. The SaaS revolution has advanced the usability of smartphones and tablets. Implementing a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy brings forth advantages tailored to asset tracking responsibilities, including scanning barcodes and managing assets on the job while simultaneously recording the movement of assets all in real time. With smartphones, you have the ability to manage inventory anywhere, in real time, and utilize location-mapping services to supplement route tracking capabilities.

Save TimeThe logical marriage of smartphone capabilities serves as an all-in-one asset tracking solution, uniting barcode scanning efficiency, equipment tracking functionalities and asset route tracking insights. Reduce task redundancy by using your smartphone to perform check out-in, dispose, or move transactions after recording routes. The flexibility of tracking routes and performing asset transactions on smartphones is very appealing compared to the time it takes to process recorded routes using hardware devices.

Increase Asset Tracking VisibilityIncrease visibility outside the four walls using geographical maps to easily display all assets, locations, and transit routes for a better visual perspective on the routes traveled.

Save MoneyNo need to purchase additional route tracking devices. Instead, smartphones can serve as your route-tracking device. In addition, all routes recorded and transactions performed will automatically update into your asset tracking system in the cloud, in real time.

Logical Marriage with Smartphones

BarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.netBarCloud White Paper www.barcloud.net

Asset Tracking:Benefits of Asset Route Tracking

6

BarCloud is the industry leading inventory management and asset tracking system that involves barcode technology, smartphones, and tablets. BarCloud has helped thousands of organizations improve profitability by eliminating manual data entry, paper files, and forms through automatic inventory transactions. With the online inventory and asset system, businesses can view and track asset and inventory movement 24/7, from the warehouse, off-site, and in the office.

Sales Phone Line: (408) 227-2720

www.asapsystems.com

About BarCloud