The Asset Tracking Blog

Educational and timely reads featuring helpful tips and insights

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April 17, 2026
RFID Vs Barcode Asset Tracking: Which Technology Is Right For Your Business?

RFID vs barcode asset tracking: compare costs, accuracy, durability, and automation to choose the best solution for your asset management needs.

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March 24, 2026
What Is UID? Unique Item Identification Codes – Metalcraft, Inc.

What does UID mean? Discover how unique identifiers improve asset tracking, inventory control, and data integrity across defense, healthcare, and more.

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March 14, 2026
3 Tips To Apply Asset Tags That Last For Years

Follow Metalcraft's tips to ensure asset tags stay securely attached by cleaning the surface, handling adhesives carefully, and applying firm, even pressure for a durable bond.

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January 22, 2026
Parking Permit Durability: Why Some Tags Fail And How To Choose One That Lasts

Parking permit durability matters. Learn why permits fail and how durable hang tags and windshield tags improve enforcement and reduce reprints.

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December 1, 2025
RFID Container Tracking: How It Works And When To Use It

RFID container tracking automates container visibility with real-time data, reducing labor, losses, and errors across high-volume supply chains.

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November 21, 2025
Asset Management Vs Inventory Management Explained

Learn the key differences between asset management and inventory management, how they work together, and why both are essential for efficient operations.

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November 19, 2025
What Is An Asset Tag Number (and How It’s Used For Tracking)

An asset tag number uniquely identifies each physical item and links it to digital records—helping organizations track location, maintenance, audits, and lifecycle for better control.

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November 5, 2025
Active RFID Vs Passive RFID: Choosing The Best Solution For Your Needs

Learn the key differences between active and passive RFID tags—how they work, their range, cost, and which RFID system fits your tracking needs best.

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October 16, 2025
The Comprehensive Asset Tag Report: Enhance Equipment Security Today

Discover how accurate asset reporting and analytics with Metalcraft’s durable barcode and RFID tags improve tracking, visibility, and decision-making.

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October 15, 2025
Asset Tag Examples: What They Are And How Businesses Use Them

Explore asset tag examples and see how Metalcraft barcode and RFID tags help businesses track, manage, and protect assets for better control and efficiency.

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September 15, 2025
Equipment Labels: Discover What You’re Missing

Asset tracking with durable equipment labels improves efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances customer experiences, with options ranging from barcode to RFID tailored to your specific durability and attachment requirements.

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September 10, 2025
Mastering Asset Tagging: Essential Strategies For Effective Management

Discover how asset tagging improves tracking, prevents theft, streamlines audits, and boosts efficiency across fixed and moveable assets.

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September 6, 2025
Custom Metal Tags: Improving Equipment Management

Custom metal tags improve equipment management with durable identification, asset tracking, and maintenance scheduling, boosting safety compliance, efficiency, and cost savings.

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August 18, 2025
How RFID Improves Military Asset Tracking & Defense Logistics

Discover how RFID enhances military asset tracking, logistics, and security—improving efficiency, accuracy, and readiness across defense operations.

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August 11, 2025
Inventory Tagging Made Easy: Types, Benefits And Pro Tips

An effective inventory tagging system boosts asset tracking, reduces costs, improves reporting, and ensures accurate, real-time control of your assets.

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August 5, 2025
What Does Asset Tagging Really Mean?

Asset tags are crucial for efficiently tracking and managing company assets, increasing accuracy and cost savings through the use of barcodes or RFID technology.

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July 18, 2025
What Is ITAR? – The Complete Guide To ITAR Compliance For 2025

ITAR regulates the export and import of U.S. defense-related items to safeguard national security, and Metalcraft has maintained ITAR compliance since 2013 to meet these stringent requirements.

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June 26, 2025
Improving Your Warehouse Inventory Management Every Step Of The Way

Discover essential strategies for effective warehouse inventory management to streamline operations and reduce costs. Read the article for practical tips!

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May 25, 2025
Unlock The Power Of Metal QR Code Tags

Metal QR codes provide a durable, versatile solution for asset tracking and inventory management, offering more information in less space and easy smartphone scanning.

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May 24, 2025
RFID Asset Tracking: Why It Matters In Healthcare

RFID asset tracking enhances healthcare by improving asset visibility, optimizing utilization, ensuring regulatory compliance, reducing costs, and increasing patient safety through real-time tracking of medical equipment.

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May 14, 2025
The Ultimate Guide To Asset Inventory Management

Discover proven best practices for asset inventory management that enhance accuracy, minimize losses, ensure regulatory compliance, and simplify lifecycle tracking throughout your organization.

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May 9, 2025
The Ultimate Guide To IT Asset Management Best Practices

Discover IT asset management best practices to optimize asset usage, ensure compliance, reduce costs, and streamline the full asset lifecycle.

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May 9, 2025
Asset Tracking For Healthcare

Discover how to track hospital equipment with barcode or RFID technology, explore asset tracking benefits in healthcare, and find the ideal solution with Metalcraft's Ultimate Guide to Asset Tracking.

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May 2, 2025
Technology’s Role In Tracking Science Lab Equipment

Technology like RFID and barcode scanning improves the tracking, maintenance, and management of science lab equipment, boosting efficiency, accuracy, and cost savings.

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April 25, 2025
Intro To Barcodes: Understanding 1D And 2D Symbologies

Barcodes use various 1D and 2D symbologies to enable efficient data tracking and identification, with different types and applications based on the amount of information and hardware requirements.

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April 23, 2025
How Long Do RFID Tags Last?

This article explores how long RFID tags last, comparing passive and active tags, examining durability, failure factors, harsh environments, and highlighting durable Metalcraft tag solutions.

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April 22, 2025
Asset Tagging 101

Learn about the critical role of asset tags in asset tracking systems, best practices for implementation, and various methods for marking and tracking fixed assets across industries with guidance from Metalcraft.

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April 21, 2025
Essential Guide To RFID Security: Risks, Solutions And Best Practices

This article explores RFID security, highlighting risks, best practices, and solutions like encryption, access control, and destructible tags to protect RFID data in supply chain and access applications.

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April 16, 2025
Why Is Asset Tracking Important For Businesses?

Corporate asset tracking optimizes asset utilization, reduces costs, boosts productivity, and enhances decision-making, driving greater business efficiency and competitiveness.

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April 9, 2025
Tariffs. Delays. Uncertainty. Why U.S.-Made RFID Tags Are The Clear Advantage

U.S.-made RFID tags offer faster delivery, better quality, and long-term savings compared to imports—avoiding tariffs, delays, and hidden costs.

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April 9, 2025
The Growing Popularity Of Photo Anodized Metal Tags

Metalcraft's photo anodized metal asset tags offer durable, customizable, and cost-effective solutions for asset tracking in harsh environments, supported by our 5 Point Promise.

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April 5, 2025
The Benefits Of Using Metalcraft Metal Inventory Tags

Metalcraft's Metal Barcode Nameplates provide durable, versatile, and reliable solutions for inventory asset tracking, offering benefits like high readability and tamper resistance.

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April 4, 2025
What Is A 2D Barcode And How Do They Work?

Learn how 2D barcodes revolutionize inventory management, product tracking, and mobile payments with increased data capacity, versatility, and reliability compared to traditional 1D barcodes.

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April 3, 2025
What Is A QR Code?

QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that store large amounts of data and can be easily scanned by smartphones, offering versatile uses like marketing, payments, and Wi-Fi access, while also having some limitations.

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April 2, 2025
How RFID Asset Tracking Helps With Loss Prevention

RFID asset tracking improves loss prevention through real-time visibility, better inventory management, enhanced security, and automated tracking for greater accuracy and risk assessment.

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April 2, 2025
Successful RFID Tracking In Schools

Learn how schools are leveraging RFID technology to enhance asset tracking, boost efficiency, and overcome implementation challenges through real-world case studies and best practices.

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April 2, 2025
Benefits Of Barcode And More

Explore how barcodes offer affordability, durability, and flexibility for asset management, and how combining them with RFID can improve security, efficiency, and ease the transition to RFID technology.

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March 30, 2025
Foil To Embossed: 10 Custom Metal Tags For ID Applications

Metalcraft provides durable custom metal tags made from materials like anodized aluminum and stainless steel, designed to enhance asset tracking, boost productivity.

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March 25, 2025
Barcode Asset Tags

Explore the various types of barcode asset tags, including metal and plastic, to improve asset tracking, inventory management, and security for diverse industries.

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January 6, 2025
Enhancing Maintenance Schedules With RFID Data

RFID improves maintenance scheduling by enabling real-time, data-driven tracking, reducing downtime, optimizing resources, and extending asset lifespan through proactive maintenance.

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December 20, 2024
Why Metalcraft’s RFID Tags Work For Facilities Management

Metalcraft’s barcode and RFID solutions enhance facilities management with durable, customizable asset tracking that improves efficiency, accuracy, security, and long-term reliability.

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December 18, 2024
How Asset Management Enhances Facilities Management

Asset management supports facilities management by improving lifecycle tracking, maintenance, and cost control, helping organizations boost efficiency, reduce downtime, and optimize resources.

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September 9, 2024
What Is Property Identification (Property ID)?

Property identification is the process of marking and labeling assets to ensure easy tracking, management and security of property. By using tools such as property identification stickers, asset tags or labels, organizations can uniquely identify items, deter theft and maintain accurate records. These property ID solutions typically include barcodes, QR codes or RFID technology, allowing ... RFID vs Barcode Asset Tracking: Which Technology Is Right for Your Business?

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May 3, 2024
Types Of Barcode Labels

Explore various types of barcode labels—security, pre-printed, custom, transparent, printable, and metal—designed for diverse applications such as asset tracking and product labeling, offering enhanced durability, readability, and efficiency across industries.

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March 21, 2024
How RFID In Schools Improves Asset Tracking Programs

RFID technology uses electromagnetic fields to track and identify assets with tags, offering benefits like faster data capture, improved accuracy, and enhanced security, making it an efficient solution for schools to streamline asset tracking and resource management.

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October 12, 2023
What Is RFID? A Guide To Radio Frequency Identification

IT asset management (ITAM) involves managing and optimizing an organization's IT assets, such as hardware, software, and networks, to maximize value and minimize risks, focusing on inventory tracking, lifecycle management, cost optimization, and compliance.

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August 24, 2023
The Role Of ID Plates In Data Center Management

ID plates and RFID tracking improve data center management by enhancing asset tracking, inventory management, security, and operational efficiency.

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August 18, 2023
Top 5 Uses Of ID Plates In Equipment Identification

ID plates improve equipment identification by facilitating asset tracking, inventory management, regulatory compliance, and maintenance across various industries

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August 17, 2023
Prevent Theft With RFID Tracking Stickers

Anti-theft RFID stickers improve security by allowing automatic tracking and identification of items, helping prevent theft and unauthorized access in various industries.

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July 21, 2023
Guide To Asset Tracking Technologies: A Comprehensive Overview

Discover how asset tracking technologies like RFID, QR codes, barcodes, and NFC enhance efficiency, accuracy, and security across various industries.

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May 10, 2023
Asset Tracking For Restoration Companies

Asset tracking improves efficiency, inventory management, and customer satisfaction for disaster restoration companies by ensuring essential equipment is readily available and easily tracked across job sites.

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April 27, 2023
DFARS: Why It Matters For RFID Label Manufacturers

An asset tracking system integrates asset tags, barcode scanners, RFID readers, and management software to improve visibility, streamline operations, and boost productivity.

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April 24, 2023
What Makes For A Good Pallet Label?

Pallet labels play a crucial role in supply chain management by providing key information for product tracking, traceability, and compliance, while enhancing inventory management and efficiency.

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March 29, 2023
Asset Tracking In Education

Asset tracking in education using RFID and barcode technologies improves inventory management, cost control, and resource allocation.

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March 2, 2023
Implementing RFID Tracking For Schools

Discover how schools can implement RFID tracking systems cost-effectively by evaluating needs, leveraging open-source software, exploring funding options, and ensuring data privacy.

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February 8, 2023
The Adoption Of RFID Tracking In Schools

Learn how schools can address key challenges in RFID tracking adoption, including cost, privacy, and resistance, while improving efficiency, security, and asset management.

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January 30, 2023
Effective Strategies For Tracking Lab Equipment

Discover key strategies for effectively managing science lab equipment, from inventory tracking and labeling to maintenance schedules and security measures, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency.

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August 18, 2022
Barcode Labels Fit The Bill

Discover the various types of barcode labels and how they enhance asset tracking for surgical and dental instruments while improving patient safety in hospitals, with tailored solutions from Metalcraft.

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July 6, 2022
What Is Asset Tracking And Why Is It Important?

Discover how asset tagging and tracking improve operational efficiency, resource management, and compliance across industries, with examples and insights on methods like barcodes and RFID.

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June 15, 2022
Celebrate National Barcode Day June 26th

Celebrate National Barcode Day on June 26, honoring the transformative impact of barcodes on industries like retail, logistics, and healthcare, revolutionizing efficiency and accuracy since 1974.

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May 17, 2022
Ultimate Guide To Asset Tracking

Explore Metalcraft's 70 years of asset tracking expertise and download the Ultimate Guide to Asset Tracking for in-depth insights on asset management, automated systems, and implementation strategies.

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April 28, 2022
Custom Hang Tag Offers Flexibility And Versatility

Custom hang tags provide a flexible solution for asset tracking and identification in applications where direct attachment isn't possible, offering customization options like logos, barcodes, and RFID inlays for various industries.

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January 13, 2022
Stickers Vs. Asset Labels: What’s The Difference?

Asset labels offer superior durability, customization, and longevity compared to stickers, making them ideal for identification and tracking in harsh environments, with Metalcraft providing top-quality solutions including RFID tags.

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October 29, 2021
Serialization Engine: Simplifying Data Management By Numbers

Metalcraft's Serialization Engine ensures accurate serial number tracking, preventing duplicates across various technologies to simplify asset management and avoid costly errors.

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April 9, 2021
Best Asset Tags For Plastic Containers

Optimize returnable asset tracking with Metalcraft’s RFID and barcode tags. Reduce losses, enhance efficiency, and boost ROI for containers, pallets, and totes.

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April 8, 2021
Choosing The Right RFID System

RFID systems, consisting of tags, readers, and software, boost productivity by delivering real-time operational data—discover how Metalcraft’s passive RFID solutions can enhance inventory control, reduce asset misplacement, and improve efficiency.

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April 8, 2021
Ben Franklin Knew The Value Of Tool Tracking

RFID and NFC technology optimize tool tracking and management by delivering real-time data on tool location, condition, and usage, boosting efficiency, reducing downtime, and improving ROI.

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April 7, 2021
What Is DFARS And Why Is It Big For RFID Label Manufacturers?

RFID label manufacturers benefit from DFARS mandates requiring passive RFID tags for DOD suppliers, enhancing security, traceability, and business opportunities for government contractors.

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March 9, 2021
It’s Time To Review Your Asset Tracking Program

Celebrate Asset Management Awareness Month by reviewing your company's asset tracking practices and discovering how improved management, including RFID and barcode solutions, can enhance organizational success.

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June 25, 2020
What Are Asset Tags Used For?

Asset tags are vital for tracking assets, preventing theft, and aiding in item recovery, while also supporting accurate record-keeping, insurance claims, and brand awareness.

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June 8, 2020
Do You Need Custom Asset Tags? Answer These 5 Questions

Determine if your application requires custom asset tags by considering factors like surface type, temperature exposure, outdoor use, abrasion, and custom printing, with Metalcraft's custom tags designed for durability and optimal performance.

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March 26, 2020
Accurate Fixed Asset Management Systems Are Vital

Accurate fixed asset management using barcode and RFID tags can reduce insurance premiums, prevent over-insurance, and speed up claim processing, while automatic data collection improves asset tracking and record-keeping.

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January 15, 2020
5 Benefits Of Asset Tracking For Businesses

Asset tracking can enhance your business by reducing costs, preventing asset loss, boosting efficiency, improving customer service, and providing peace of mind, making it essential for optimizing operations and increasing profitability.

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November 19, 2019
Aluminum Tags

Photo anodized tags are durable, customizable aluminum identification tags made using a photo anodizing process, offering superior resistance to wear, corrosion, and fading, making them ideal for asset tracking and labeling in harsh environments.

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November 19, 2019
Barcode Symbologies: 1d Barcode Vs. 2d Barcode

This blog explores the evolution of barcode technology from Code 39 to more advanced options like Code 128, DataMatrix, and QR codes, providing increased flexibility, data capacity, and efficiency for modern asset tracking and identification.

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November 15, 2019
Asset Tagging: Is It Right For My Organization?

Asset tagging is the process of labeling physical assets with unique identifiers such as barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags to enhance tracking, inventory management, security, and overall efficiency across various industries like business, healthcare, education, government, and logistics.

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November 15, 2019
Durable Tags Help Track Restoration Equipment

This case study highlights how ServiceMaster DAK enhanced asset tracking for over 500 pieces of restoration equipment using Metalcraft's durable DataMatrix tags.

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November 15, 2019
Durable Labels: What You Really, Really Want

Metalcraft’s durable metal, plastic, and RFID labels are built to withstand extreme conditions, ensuring long-lasting readability, adhesion, and resistance to wear, providing reliable performance in even the harshest environments.

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November 13, 2019
Durable Labels: The Superheroes Of The Label World

Durable labels made from materials like anodized aluminum, polyester, and polypropylene offer strength, resistance to chemicals and extreme temperatures, ensuring reliable asset tracking in harsh environments.

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November 13, 2019
4 Overlooked Asset Tracking System Gotchas

Avoid common asset tracking mistakes like underestimating asset counts, neglecting software, choosing tags based on price over functionality, and overlooking RFID performance on metal surfaces, with expert guidance from Metalcraft's 70+ years of ID solutions experience.

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November 13, 2019
Ghost Assets Affect Your Bottom Line

Barcodes and RFID tags help businesses track and manage ghost and zombie assets, reducing financial risks and eliminating hidden costs in inventory and asset management.

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November 13, 2019
Working Toward A Tagging Solution

Metalcraft's customized asset tagging solutions, including 2D foil barcode tags and RFID metal tags, help businesses like LensRentals enhance inventory accuracy, withstand harsh conditions, and optimize asset management within budget.

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November 13, 2019
Metalcraft Earns ISO 9001:2015 Certificate

Metalcraft has earned ISO 9001:2015 certification, reinforcing its commitment to quality management and continuous improvement to provide customers with reliable, high-quality products and services.

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November 13, 2019
Asset Tracking In Schools Saves Money

RFID-enabled asset management software helps schools increase efficiency, manage resources, and support student achievement, while offering long-term cost savings and public approval despite initial skepticism.

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November 13, 2019
Stop Theft In Its Tracks With Tamper Evident Tags

Metalcraft’s three tamper-evident labels—the Tamper-Evident Tag, Security Tag, and RFID Destructible Windshield Tag—offer dual-purpose solutions for asset tracking and theft deterrence.

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November 7, 2019
Understanding UID: Helpful UID Tips

IUID (Item Unique Identification) is a Department of Defense mandate for tracking assets throughout their lifecycle.

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