How smartphones & tablets can transform an asset management system?

In this window, we are going to discuss something related to field service management primarily. We will have a look at the way smartphones and tablets go ahead towards transforming the management of assets. 

We will see how the bar code scanning facility is used in an enterprise. The bar code scanning facility is used for management and tracking of assets.

The mobile devices may be used in the point of operation, they allow organizations to access and capture data in real time. There Are Numerous Advantages for this approach:

• Mobile-friendly forms make it possible for workers to enter details regarding the work done while still onsite, reducing mistakes and better shooting information.
• Real-time accessibility to parts stock and the capability to purchase parts directly from the apparatus to save time by cutting back on the need to sift through sequence forms in a desk afterwards.
• The capacity to get net of items (IoT) info from resources and to use that information for predictive maintenance and troubleshooting drives more effective direction and a higher degree of organization.

How does it prove to be of help?

Assets can be found in ranges comprising of product components, buildings, and IT hardware. Enterprise companies have always been designing systems to keep track of these sets of assets. 

Talking about the reasons due to which companies track assets, well, there are many. These include financial, accounting, regulatory purposes, and also any theft is prevented because of this. 

As about the processes of counting and cataloging these assets, bar codes are used to streamline the same. Also, these can connect users to an asset’s location and other metadata, which include its status, history, and additional vital information. 

For some time, mobile computers and bar code scanning machines were brought to use when managing and tracking of assets were required. 

But, soon, it seems, there will be a time when these hardware devices will become extinct. If a smartphone-based app scanner is introduced, it can help companies to cut the cost of other maintenance.

There are some other uses of apps that are used to manage assets. These can be used to monitor the motion of staff and assets. Also, the identity of an asset’s user and location can be validated using this. This is also used to locate a hard to find an asset. 

Storing and identification of details related to any asset can also be made using this. Past users who have worked with the concerned asset can also be identified. 

Different types of asset management such as physical asset management, digital asset management, IT asset management cloud, fixed asset management are seen over by enterprise asset management systems (EAM systems). 

This is another benefit of field service management. Value can be added to fixed asset management and IT asset management by using the scanning facility of smartphone-based barcode scanners. A slightly lower cost is added to the physical asset management by using the same. 

Fixed asset management is said to provide solutions that are based on barcode for keeping track of objects, whereas, digital asset management has been known to exist in a purely digital form. 

Physical asset management is there to manage the life cycle of assets in the physical and infrastructure category. 

These include buildings, facilities, vehicles, and scanning is done by utilizing the bar code scanning feature. So, everything mentioned above moves towards making us realize the value that scanning systems bring to any enterprise.

Taking an example: Scandit’s barcode scanner SDK

Scandit has an exclusive Barcode scanner SDK that can boast of scanning most of the symbologies that are put to use in the use cases related to asset management. 

These can make use of tiny barcodes very quickly. The size of these can be around as small as 4*4mm data matrix codes. 

This scanner has been said to deliver the speed and effectiveness that is required to introduce the enterprise-level bar code scanning facility to smartphones and tablets. 

Another facility of this scanner developed by Scandit is its cross-platform functioning, and its the ability to capture readings accurately and precisely. This correctly implements field service management technology.

How is an Asset management app developed?

First, a firm decision should be taken upon the subject of whether a solution provider is to be hired to develop the app or it is to be built in house. Then comes the turn of making decisions about the platforms on which the app should be allowed to run. 

Supporting both Android and iOS platforms should be kept in mind. The systems and the features are to be identified in the next step. 

Ultimately, based on all the above derivations, the app is built and tested. While doing all this, the basic features of field service technology should be kept in mind.