Asking the right asset tracking questions can be an essential way to ensure you purchase the right asset tracking software that meets your business needs, both now and in the future. To assist you during your software research and vendor comparison process, we outline some key considerations that might be worth thinking about. Including:
The Right Asset Tracking Questions to Ask
1. Is it Easy to Use?
Ideally, you’ll want all of your employees to adopt this new system as quickly as possible. The easier it is to use, the faster your team will get on board with it. Does the software has a user-friendly interface across desktop and mobile devices? Well, the easiest way to find out is by asking the vendor for a demo.
By having access to a demo, you can make sure the software is easy to navigate. You can also see if the menus and buttons are logically laid out, and functionality on mobile devices works as you’d expect. Also, ask about the software training process to determine whether this is likely to be rigorous or straightforward.
2. What Features are Included?
This is a great chance to check whether the asset tracking software is customisable, so you can make changes or purchase add-ons if needed. A flexible system may include features such as asset lifecycle management, asset auditing and APIs for integration with other applications.
Also, see if the system supports barcode scanning, RFID tags, and QR codes. Although you may want to start with just barcode scanning, your requirements may differ in the future.
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3. Will It Suit Your Business?
One of the most crucial asset tracking questions is whether the solution is a good fit for your business. To find this out, you can gather as much information about your tracking requirements as possible. Ask yourself, do you need to:
- Geolocate assets that move between different destinations?
- Track static and connected assets across multiple sites?
- Check-in/check-out assets such as IT devices for employees?
- Track stock levels in your warehouse?
- Track deliveries for customers?
Depending on your business type, you may also need specific cloud-based tracking technologies. GPS tracking, for example, is ideal for businesses that manage a fleet of vehicles.
4. Is the System Scalable?
To make sure you purchase a futureproof solution, you should consider scalability. As your company expands, your asset register will also grow. So, will the software be able to cope with tracking thousands of assets across multiple locations in the future?
A scalable asset tracking system should be able to grow with your business. It should also provide robust tracking functionality with the option to add modules. For example, imagine that a fitness company loans top-quality treadmills to running enthusiasts that don’t want to invest in one upfront.
Initially, the fitness company begins to track the treadmills to know which customer has access to which treadmill. As the fitness company grows, these treadmills will need to undergo reactive and preventive maintenance so they can carry on being rented out to customers. In this case, the fitness company may decide they also need an asset maintenance module as well as asset tracking. That way, effective maintenance and repair can be scheduled and budgeted for.
5. Is the Vendor Well-Established?
Another essential asset tracking question to consider is the software provider’s reputation. In a recent survey from fibre2fashion.com, over 19000 customers identified company strength as the most important factor when choosing software. By researching the vendor’s history you can learn how long they’ve been in business, how many customers they have and what experience others have had with them.
It’s also worth speaking to different vendors to learn what plans they have for the future and to understand what new features they’re working on.
6. What Level of Support is Offered?
If you run into problems with your asset tracking system, you’ll want to know there is comprehensive support available.
So, make sure your preferred software provider has several different options for contacting a support representative. For example, on email, live chat, by phone or via a dedicated Facebook group.
7. Does the Tool Match Your budget?
As far as asset tracking questions go, this one can be the deal clincher – or the deal-breaker. And crucially, budgets can vary depending on the size of your business.
Think about whether you want to pay upfront or would prefer to pay a monthly service fee. And, don’t forget to include the price of add-on features in case you need these in the future.