A substantial amount of money that is lost in many companies is due to theft of merchandise and supplies. Tool inventory control is a vital component of any business.
Those who are in service oriented businesses or who sell to service industries, understand that keeping track of what comes in and what goes out can save money. Management software is now available that makes tracking tools, supplies and other merchandise much simpler than it has been in the past.
Since small service companies rarely have need of a merchandise monitoring specialist, there are devices available with tracking software that can transfer data into the computer system without the need of hiring extra personnel. Using a wireless bar code scanner or a similar device, one can simply scan the item as it leaves the building as the result of a sale or to be used on a service call. This is an excellent method of controlling merchandise.
Warehouse management can become difficult when several customers are bringing in purchase orders and the manufacturer has just delivered another shipment. Someone needs to be making the sale, while someone else needs to be pulling the merchandise. Simultaneously, someone will be verifying that all of the merchandise ordered is in the shipment that just arrived. Shortly thereafter, someone needs to stock the shelves with the new merchandise.
Larger industrial supply companies may not have a problem with this, since many of them have people assigned for specific tasks such as those mentioned. However, a smaller company can easily lose track of their assets if the necessary procedures are not in place. Installing tool inventory control tracking software is an investment that will more than pay for itself in a short amount of time.
The innovative scanners available with this technology make the process simple for all employees to learn. It is basically a point and shoot device that scans the bar code and then records the item as sold in the computer tools management software. There is no need for further input by a data entry operator. The scanner basically turns into an office assistant that can save any business owner money.
This technology is not only for tool inventory control, but also for any type of asset tracking. Anything that is put on a shelf and sold or used by an employee is a candidate for tracking software and management. Books, bottles and any other item with a product number can be monitored easily. Retail stores, libraries and medical supply stores are just a few of the businesses that stand to profit from this technology.
Tool inventory control can stop theft in its tracks. As each item leaves the premises, the item number can be entered into the computer using the tracking software. This can be done manually if no scanner is available. In order to track items effectively, each item should have a product identification number that has already been entered into the system. There should also be codes that identify the item as being in use by a service technician or identify the item as being sold.
