Asset Tagging Labor & The True Cost of Inventory Tracking

Asset Inventory Tracking

OK, so you're thinking of implementing a fixed asset tracking system. There are so many different things to consider: hardware, software, even the asset tags themselves. It might come as a surprise that the one thing companies may take for granted (the actual asset tag) has a huge impact on the bottom line - and not in the way you might think.

Take a look at the following example.

Tagging 10,000 Assets with Asset Tags

Company Profile

  • 10,000 fixed assets
  • Converting human-readable only system to a bar code system

Item

  • Hardware Costs - 2 laser scanners w/PDAs; approx cost @$800/unit = $1,600
  • Software Costs - application software for PDAs (serial number cross-reference using old serial number system and applying a new serial number). Fixed asset software upgrade. Report generators. Training. Approx cost $1,500
  • Asset Tag Costs - Metal Barcode Nameplates @ $32.12/hundred (2" x 5/8") - $3,212
  • Installation of Asset Tags - cross reference of new barcode number to old tag number; application cost is $2.00/asset - $20,000

Total Cost - $26,312

Asset Tag as percent of total cost = 12.2%

Asset tagging as a percent of total cost = 76%

As you can see the cost of the actual nameplate or label is a fraction of the overall cost. The majority of the cost comes in the actual application of the nameplates or labels, which is why permanent asset tags are generally less costly in the long run and we developed product like the QuickTab Tag Dispenser to lessen those labor costs. Then it stands to reason that the more durable a tag is the less likely a company is to have to incur the most expensive part of putting together an asset tracking system - the asset tag application.

To learn more about our asset tracking solutions, contact us today at [email protected].

Marianne Alvarado

About the Author: Marianne Alvarado

Marianne Alvarado is our Vice President of Sales. Alvarado joined Metalcraft in March of 2000 as a Territory Specialist, became Sales Manager in January 2022 and was named Vice President of Sales during August of 2023. She leads both the Outside and Inside Sales teams. Marianne lives in Davenport with her husband, Dave Beeman. 

Mobile Phone: 641-529-9492

Email: [email protected]

Office: 3360 9th St. SW, Mason City, IA 50401

Office Phone: 641-423-9460

Innovation and insight delivered to your inbox

Subscribe to our Newsletter ►

Recent Posts

Posts By Topic

Recent Posts

  • Cheap RFID Tags (and why they may not be as cheap as you think)

  • What is an RFID Tag and how do they work?

  • What is RFID (radio frequency identification) and how can it help my school’s asset tracking program?