Why crafters should manage their working assets

What is an asset management system?

On which construction site is the duplex roller located? Where do my tools always disappear to? Is the concrete saw still allowed to be used or is it time for maintenance? As a craftsman or manager of a craft business, you are certainly no stranger to such and similar questions – and it is not always possible to find an answer to every question quickly.

To drive general digitization forward in your business as well as to simplify workflows, numerous web-based systems have been developed for managing operating resources. These offer support in all areas of operating resource management. In addition to the management of equipment, tools, and materials, this includes the documentation of inspection dates and safety certificates as well as automated inventory in the warehouse, on vehicles, and the construction site.

Such a management system helps you as a craftsman to maintain an overview of all types of operating equipment – and this is completely independent of the manufacturing company. Another advantage is that inspection and maintenance dates are always noted in the system and can therefore no longer be forgotten.

Why does asset management in the cloud make sense?

There are several reasons for using an asset management tool. The various providers promise potential customers a sustainable increase in productivity and work safety in the company, but is that the case? What concrete advantages do digital systems bring to everyday work? We have investigated which functions the popular tools have and which advantages result from this for craftsmen.

Higher productivity

Are important tools missing from the warehouse again? What equipment is currently sitting around unused on the construction site? Management systems for operating resources show you exactly where your machines and other work equipment are at any given time. All locations are stored in a cloud and are updated automatically, so you no longer waste time searching for or replacing work equipment.

In addition, the system registers which equipment is present and in what quantity, and how long it has been in use. Precise control and planning of stock levels and wear and tear, as well as the procurement of replenishments, are thus easily possible. Even the question of how much consumable material, for example, lubricants or building materials, is still in stock is quickly answered with a glance at the system.

More work safety

When is the next maintenance due for a particular piece of equipment? When should an employee renew his certificates and training? Which devices are still safe to use? Our equipment management software answers questions like these in no time. The information no longer has to be painstakingly entered manually in Excel spreadsheets or cumbersome file folders but is always at hand in the cloud.

Not only does this give you an overview of the maintenance dates for all tools, but the person responsible for the equipment is also sent appointment reminders for necessary maintenance and inspection dates. This prevents the issue of untested equipment. The complete documentation obligation of the inspection history of your equipment becomes child’s play.

Overview of the equipment fleet

Do you know how many and which devices you own? With our equipment management tool, you can ensure greater efficiency and fewer losses. Not only does the tool give you a detailed overview of the equipment you own, but it also provides you with information on which equipment is used frequently and which is not used as often. Whether it’s vehicles or other machinery, tools, or other work equipment, this makes it easy to adjust your inventory levels to your actual needs.

What functionalities does a digital asset management system offer?

So how does the system work in concrete terms and what range of functions can you expect? Modern equipment management tools are equipped with a Bluetooth tracking system. Only in this way is it possible to locate exactly where a particular piece of equipment is at any given time. It couldn’t be simpler, the equipment – for example, tools, devices, or consumables – are equipped with transmitters that have a unique ID number. These transmitters are smart tags or smart labels that use barcode and RFID technologies. The stickers transmit a Bluetooth signal around the clock and usually have a range of up to 30 meters. Using the app of the respective tool, you can now view the exact locations of all detected devices at any time. All of this is made possible via cloud-based software that you can access 24 hours a day.

However, not only a quick inventory of your stock, at the place of use or the emergency vehicle is possible quickly and without much effort with software for the management of operating equipment. The work involved in managing your safety documents is also simplified, saving time and money. The result is greater work safety for you and the craftsmen working for you.

The system stores and manages all the safety documents required for recurring inspections. Another particularly practical feature is that the software keeps track of service and repair intervals once they have been noted and reminds you of them in good time. Important training courses or certificate renewals that are due from time to time can also be managed digitally and are no longer forgotten so quickly.

With modern software for equipment management, work equipment as well as equipment documents and certificates, but also test and maintenance dates are enormously simplified. Time and money are saved.

In addition to the software, the product of most providers includes the necessary hardware components for Bluetooth tracking as well as service and consulting. While the hardware consists of smart tags suitable for construction sites that can be easily attached to any equipment, the associated software and cloud allow you secure access to your data, whether via an app or PC. Support is available from nearly all providers through on-site consultation. The system is set up at your site by the company offering the service, data is uploaded together and your operating resources are recorded. In addition, you and your employees will be trained in the use of the tool and also supported later in the event of necessary system adjustments. Many companies offer 24-hour customer service so that important questions can be clarified at any time.

What savings potential is offered by managing operating resources in the cloud?

Did you know that 75 percent of all companies struggle to manage certificates and inspection dates? That craftsmen spend a tremendous amount of time each month searching for operating equipment? That in many companies, equipment is simply lost because no one keeps track of it.

These facts alone show that an equipment management system that provides an overview of tool availability, tools that are not ready for use, upcoming maintenance dates, and consumables inventory can only be beneficial.

What are the concrete benefits of adjusting and optimizing your operating equipment inventories – both in the warehouse and on the job site?

• Increased productivity and job safety: Tasks can be completed faster and with greater safety with equipment inventories that are tailored to your needs, as well as equipment that is regularly maintained.
• Less downtime: Stocking your equipment fleet with equipment that is used frequently means that you have just the right piece of equipment for each task, and it’s not out of stock. As a result, tasks are completed more reliably and there is less downtime for repairs or maintenance.
• Lean inventory: The equipment pool remains manageable if it is clear at all times how many devices of which type are available. Duplicate purchases are avoided due to the improved planning capability.
• Lower costs: Since the administrative effort and the cost of procuring suitable equipment are lower in the long term, hidden or indirect equipment costs are also reduced. Repair costs and rental fees for replacement equipment are also reduced over time.

Conclusion as to why the acquisition of a system for equipment management only brings advantages

As a craftsman, you have everything important in view with cloud-based software that keeps track of your operating resources. In the form of predefined reports, you receive all relevant information on tools currently on loan and still available in the warehouse, withdrawals from the consumables warehouse, maintenance dates, and upcoming repairs. The information can be retrieved by period, employee, and location or construction site. Many software even offers an order proposal list for the material stock.

Save time and money and focus on your actual task – reliable work for the customer. Take advantage of the possibilities of digitalization. The management of operating resources becomes almost a minor matter.