Many companies are feeling the financial squeeze and are looking for ways to streamline processes and make monetary savings. If this is you, might not have thought about asset labels.

If you fix asset labels on all your company equipment, you can not only track your assets, you can also make the savings you are looking for.

What are asset labels?

Asset labels are a stick-on label which can be affixed to any item you own. If all your items are tracked, you can keep your assets secure so the chances of theft or the item being misplaced are minimised. If you use asset labels insurance premiums may also be reduced.

What are the available types of asset labels?

There are many different types of asset labels which are suitable for use on different assets. Some types of labels include polyester labels, paper labels, aluminium labels, polycarbonate labels and foil labels.

What information is available on an asset label?

Asset labels can contain information such as a number or a barcode, which can be checked against a central database. If barcodes are used they simply need to be scanned to update asset information. Company logos and names can also be added to asset labels so that company branding is maximised.

Posted in Asset Tags by Grahame

There are many different types of asset labels available for use in different applications. These can be affixed to a host of different assets and come with their own specific features, which makes them suitable for use in these applications.

Vinyl asset labels

Vinyl asset labels are a step up from standard paper asset labels. The adhesive used on these labels forms a strong bond with most surfaces, so the labels can be secured to the asset. When the glue hardens on these labels the labels are practically impossible to move.

Void asset labels

If you need to know if an asset label has been tampered with, you should use a ‘void’ asset label. A void asset label is thus perfect for those companies who rent items to customers or who have to protect sensitive items such as personal computers from being tampered with. Void asset labels leave a ‘void’ symbol on the label when they are tampered with, so that the owner of the goods or merchandise knows this is the case.

Security labels

Security labels give a clear message to would-be thieves. The label shows that the item is being traced so that theft is actively discouraged.

Posted in Asset Tags by Grahame

It is common to find barcodes affixed to just about every item you purchase nowadays. However, there was a time when they were only used occasionally. The explosion of the popularity of barcode labels has only come about over the last couple of decades.

Barcodes labels are now used for not only retail purposes, but are being used with increasing frequency in shipping, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing applications.

The first conceptual barcodes were introduced by Wallace Flint in 1932. He developed an automatic checkout using punched cards which were read when an item was purchased.

In 1949 a system was developed by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in which a series of concentric circles was used. It was however in 1967 that David J. Collins developed a black and white barcode system, which was read by a laser and is strikingly similar to the system we use today.

Barcode technology is moving forward all the time, with 2D barcode systems now becoming popular. Mobile phone technology has also meant that everyone can have a barcode reader in their pocket and so the system pushes the boundaries even further.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Geoff

Implementing an asset management system can bring huge benefits to your business operations. Not only does asset tagging and asset management reduce the chances of human error it also increases accuracy.

Accurate data integrity

If you implement an asset management system which uses barcode technology, you can be sure that the data you collate is highly accurate, as human error will be negligible. Because the data on the barcode is read by a barcode scanner, the data does not have to be interpolated manually thus reducing time and increasing accuracy of results.

Efficiency improvements

As well as improving accuracy of data, using an asset management system can also increase company efficiency. It’s much quicker to use a barcode scanner than to type information into a database using a standard keyboard. And when all the information has been collated, a user will have easy access to this data instead of having to trawl through reams of paperwork.

Asset locations easily identifiable

Companies which have a great deal of similar or identical assets can differentiate between them using an asset tracking system. They can also easily locate any asset in their database when needed, thus keep track of the money they have tied up in business operations.

Posted in Asset Tags by Grahame

Asset labels are commonly fixed onto a company’s expensive equipment so that the equipment can be tracked. These tags are used with asset management software so a comprehensive database of all the company’s items can be kept up to date.

Equipment which can benefit from asset tagging technology includes computers, tools, portable machinery and electronic goods. There are a range of benefits a company can gain from using asset tags, some of these include:

Proof of ownership

Many insurance companies need you to provide proof of ownership if your goods are damaged or stolen. Asset tags and asset management software can do this for you.

Tracking identical items

It’s not uncommon for large facilities to have numerous identical items. To differentiate between these products asset tags can be used.

Recognising equipment

Identifying equipment couldn’t be easier if you use asset tracking technology. If all your items contain an asset tag you can rent them out, lend them to other departments or even transfer them between separate business premises.

Asset labels or tags can be fixed onto a product or part using plastic ties or stuck on using a semi-permanent adhesive.

Posted in Asset Tags by Geoff

A stock take may need to be performed for your business to determine current asset or stock levels, the value of current stock and indeed any discrepancies. Whilst stock taking is undoubtedly an extremely useful process for your business, it can be a time consuming exercise. Either as an annual, intermittent or ongoing process, a stock take can be costly to the business, primarily due to the hours it can take to complete.

There are a number of techniques or products which can save time, and consequently money by streamlining this process.

Fixed asset labels can be made to your individual requirements. You may choose to include your company logo and sequential numbering system on an asset label, which can be extremely useful to speed up the stock take process. In addition, this information can be integrated into your business tracking system.

Scanning a barcode on an asset label is much quicker than other methods of tracking and recording the information relating to your stock. Your business can thus save many working hours, which you may normally lose to the stock taking process, by reducing the time to record such information

Posted in Asset Tags by Bridget

There are many different types of barcode labels now available. Barcodes are normally printed onto an item’s packaging, but there are also aftermarket labels available which can also be affixed to products if the barcode needs to be changed or if the barcode needs to be used for inventory control purposes. One of the environments in which barcode labels are commonly used is in a warehouse.

In a warehouse barcode labels can be used in the following ways.

Floor labels

Floor barcode labels can be affixed to the floor and scanned by the warehouse operatives when items are stacked or placed in the area. These barcode labels need to last for a long time so have to stick to the floor using a strong adhesive. These labels should thus be made in aluminium or steel.

Warehouse pallet labels

The most common type of label which is used in a warehouse is a pallet warehouse label. These labels can be affixed to the crates or pallets and can be scanned by the warehouse operatives who need to keep track of stock levels.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Geoff

The difficult economic climate has meant that many businesses are looking for new ways to promote their brand and make their mark in a difficult selling environment. Some businesses might be looking to streamline operations and cut down on business expenses. And a simple way they can do all of these things is to adopt an accurate and efficient way of identifying all the goods or items that they own.

The labelling of all the items a business may own is becoming more popular as a way to keep in touch with company assets. The likelihood of these items going missing or being stolen is greatly reduced and the company can detail all the items in an inventory database, which can be used by their insurance company if a claim were to be made.

For goods inbound or outbound from the company, these can also be tracked using an asset tracking or barcode labelling system. If every item has its own unique number or identification code a database can be kept of all the items so complete clarity regarding stock levels can be attained.

Asset labelling and barcode labelling can greatly help you to keep accurate control of your assets and hence also your finances.

Posted in Asset Tags, Barcode Labels by Grahame

Many businesses have now realised the importance of getting their marketing tack right. And alongside this they have developed ways in which their business can become known to the masses, while at the same time giving out important information about the products they sell.

One of the best ways to promote brand awareness is to have a recognisable symbol or logo which can be emblazoned across your products so your brand becomes instantly recognisable. And these logos can be printed just about anywhere, even on the barcode labels or asset labels which you affix to the products you sell.

Customised barcode labels can give a lift to your promotional efforts. They can also differentiate between different brands and push your company name forward.

Custom labels can be printed in a wide range of sizes, which are suitable for sticking to just about any type of material. And because they are creatively designed they can display vital information about your company whilst also being innovative and attractive.

The labels you choose can be finished with a matt effect, a gloss effect, plain, patterned or even printed onto other substrates as well as paper, to make your products really stand out.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Geoff

Keeping track of business assets is made easy when you use asset tags. Asset tags not only help identify every item your business owns, they also combat theft and help to reduce the number of items that may go missing or be misplaced.

Some asset tags are manufactured in such a way that they cannot be removed or tampered with without the owner of the equipment knowing this has happened.

Fixing asset tags onto your items is really easy

When you are tagging your items you should always affix the asset tag somewhere it is easily visible. This will make it easy to find the label and also deter theft. The area you choose for your asset label should also be a point on the equipment or machine which does not hinder the machine’s use and somewhere a label will not be easily damaged or disturbed. To make sure the label does not become detached from the item, the item surface should also be thoroughly cleaned.

Asset labels can be customised if needed so that a company logo is depicted on the label and brand awareness is heightened.

Posted in Asset Tags by Geoff