What Are Asset Tags Used For?

The Asset Tracking Blog

What are Asset Tags and Why Do I Need Them?

We hear this question a lot from people first looking into tagging their assets. Asset tags are used in a variety of different applications but generally fall into one of five different categories.

Physical Item / Equipment Tracking

Organizations of all types: businesses, schools, churches, non-profits, etc. commonly use asset tags to identify and track their fixed and movable assets. Using specially designed asset tracking software or simple spreadsheets these organizations keep track of their equipment, tools, and electronics. This tracking helps keep proper inventory, availability status of items, and help schedule service / preventative maintenance, or replacement/retirement thresholds.

Theft / Loss Prevention

Items like tablets, laptops, mobile phones, audio, and video gear, etc. are highly portable. Equipment and tools that are clearly marked as company property are less likely to be stolen or “disappear” from the workplace. Even the most diligent asset managers and inventory specialists sometimes mistake one asset from another resulting in items being taken or misplaced accidentally, custom asset tags and an asset management system are often the best way to avoid these issues.

We have specialized materials that will work on your items whether it’s indoors or outdoors, or needs a label that fits on a curved surface or a particular type of adhesive. You can also choose tags that leave a film indicating the labels have been removed or peeled away or that destruct into pieces to indicate tampering or to prevent a tag to be placed from one item to another.

Item Reclamation / Discovery

Items that go missing, for whatever reason, that are marked with asset tags can be easily identified and returned to the owner. Rental companies, event planners, caterers, and churches that tend to lend out equipment and goods are able to easily inventory and identify what items have gone missing so they can be accounted for and returned.

Reports & Records

Keeping track of your most important assets is key to a lot of different business decisions. Most financial institutions require proof of business assets when applying for loans or additional capital. A detailed inventory of your tagged assets provides proof of your company’s equipment and their respective values. In case of loss or accident, you can easily apply your item’s serial number, description, and other information for insurance claims.

We have specific 2-part asset tracker tags made for situations where you want the one tag to go on the piece of equipment and a smaller tag with just the same number to go on any physical records or an adjoining piece of equipment, for easy cross-reference.

Brand Awareness / Customer Service

With a distributed workforce and many individuals working from home, asset tags serve to identify company-owned assets used at home from employees’ personal assets.

With expensive and high-value items (laptops, tablets, docks, monitors, etc.) we suggest numbered and barcoded asset tags for easy logging and tracking. For less expensive items (mice, keyboards, cases, speakers) with a simple “Property of ” label.

If your items are out in the public sphere, tagging them with your logo, company name and phone numbers is a great way to ensure you can easily stay connected with your customers and it also increases brand awareness.

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
Office Phone: 641-423-9460
Email: [email protected]
Office: 3360 9th St. SW, Mason City, IA 50401

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