Construction Tool Tracking Using Modern Technologies
Use smart modern technologies for the fast and efficient tool tracking in the field, on the service trucks and in the shop.
Create a tool accountability system, prevent tools misplacement, loss, damage and theft.
Construction Tool Tracking Using QR Codes And A Mobile App
Tracking construction tools using QR codes and a mobile app is an efficient, low cost option that
requires minimal efforts from the field workforce.
Field employees can track construction tools anywhere in real time, access live data and submit updates from the smartphone.
Implementing QR Code Tool Tracking System
Use these simple steps to implement a QR code tool tracking system:
Create QR code labels
Create QR code labels in the
QR Inventory software using a cloud web interface.
Print QR code labels one at a time or in bulk.
Label Tools With The QR Codes
Attach QR code labels to the construction tools that you plan to track.
Use A Mobile App For The Tool Tracking
Use a QR code scanning mobile app to check out, check in and transfer tools. A mobile app updates central database
with current tool status in real time.
Review Tool Tracking Reports In The Cloud Software
Review and download real time tool tracking reports. See where the tools are, who checked them out and
what project they are used for. Review tools usage statistics and trends.
Do a better planning on tools purchases and job allocation.
Construction Tool Tracking Using NFC Or BLE Tags
Construction tool tracking with the QR codes is a low cost and efficient way to create a tool accountability system,
prevent tools misplacement, loss or theft.
However if you need a faster and more advanced tracking option, you can use NFC or
Bluetooth asset tracking instead of QR codes.
BLE tags
are the fastest and most efficient way to track assets. You can still use a smartphone and a mobile app,
but you do not need to scan each tool. One click in the mobile app will detect all
assets tagged with the BLE tags and add them to the batch.
You can also use a
Bluetooth IoT gateway
instead of a smartphone for a fully automated
IoT asset tracking.
Implementing BLE Tool Tracking System
Use these steps to implement BLE tool tracking system:
Tag Tools And Equipment
Attach
BLE tags
to the tools and equipment.
Enter Tools Into The Tracking Software
Use a mobile app to link each construction tool to the BLE tag and enter
it into the software system.
Track Tools With The Mobile App
Use a mobile app to record tools check out, check in or transfer. BLE tags allow for the fast bulk scanning.
You do not need to locate a tag and scan each asset.
A first click in the mobile app will add all assets to the batch. A second click will submit the entire batch to the back end cloud software.
Do Asset Audits
BLE tags allow you to do periodic asset audits of a job site or a service truck fast and error free.
You just need two clicks to detect all assets on a service truck or a job site, and submit
data to the back end cloud software.
Fully Automate Asset Tracking With IoT Gateway
If you do not want to rely on company employees for the tool tracking, you can use a
Bluetooth IoT gateway instead of the smartphone.
An IoT gateway does the same job as a smartphone - detects assets tagged with the BLE tags
and sends data to a back end cloud software. However, job site employees do not need to do any asset tracking tasks.
racking system works on its own - no employees participation is required.
More on Bluetooth Tool Tracking
More On Bluetooth Construction Inventory Management
Construction Tool Tracking Software Benefits
A construction tool tracking software gives you a full visibility into tools location and usage.
You can make sure that all technicians have the right tools in the
service trucks before heading to a job. You know who used which tool when, and in what conditions it was returned.
The real time tool tracking system holds employees accountable for the equipment they are using. It prevents
loss, damage and theft of the valuable equipment.
A tool tracking system collects data that you can analyze for better ool allocation and purchase planning.
All in all, a tool tracking software saves you money on tools purchases and replacements, and ensures that
the field jobs are completed on time.
How Tool Tracking Works In The QR Inventory Software
A QR Inventory software uses modern technologies (QR Codes, BLE tags, mobile app, cloud software, IoT gateways) to make construction tool tracking simple,
efficient and error free. It is also flexible - you can select a set of technologies that better fit your needs and budget.
Tool Location And Usage Tracking
Tool Tracking Using QR Codes
Field employees use a QR code scanning mobile app to quickly record equipment check out, check in or transfer.
They can record extra info if needed (e.g. fill out a short checklist on the tool conditions), add photos for visual documentation,
and sign for the tools assigned to them on a smartphone screen.
A mobile app is linked to a back end cloud software, providing a real time data exchange. All changes in the tool status are instantly updated in
the central database. At the same time, a field technician can access tool specs, documentation, and location of the tools he might need with one QR code scan.
Tool Tracking Using BLE Tags And IoT
You can further automate tool tracking process with the BLE tags and IoT gateways.
IoT gateways can be installed in the shop, on each job site, and even on the service trucks to constantly monitor assets location and movement.
An IoT asset tracking system is a good fit for you if you do not want to, or cannot rely on the company employees to do QR code scanning.
Once an IoT asset tracking system is deployed, it works on its own - no human participation is required.
An IoT gateway
detects assets and equipment in a monitored zone, processes data locally and sends updates to the back end cloud software.
You can create custom alerts, and receive instant updates on misplaced assets.
If your assets are sensitive to the temperature and humidity, add
an
IoT temperature and humidity monitoring system
for the remote asset conditions monitoring. You will get digital logs on assets conditions 24 / 7, and an instant alert
if something goes wrong.
Tool Accountability System
Use a tool tracking system to make employees accountable for the tools they are using. In the QR Inventory software, you can add
an optional asset conditions assessment form that an employee will need to fill out on tool check out and return. The form can
include a checklist for recording a tool conditions, notes, an option to add images for visual documentation, and an option to sign for the tool on a smartphone screen.
These forms are fast and easy to complete, and give you a full picture of tool usage:
- Who checked out and returned a tool, when, for which project it was used and for how long.
- What were tool conditions and check out and upon return.
- If the tool is damaged, what exactly happened and who is responsible.
- Have a visual documentation to confirm everything.
- If the tool is not returned, who was the last person to check it out and when.
This system makes employees accountable for the tools they are using, and as a result prolongs tools useful life, reduces loss, misplacement and theft.
Tool Usage Tracking
A QR Inventory software makes a good use of the collected tool tracking data. In addition to being able to check
current tools location, what you have on each job site, in the service trucks and in the shop, you get a complete
transactions and usage history for tools and equipment. Use this information for better resource allocation and planning,
ensure that you utilize tools and equipment to the full potential.
- Check tools usage per each job or project.
- Check how long each tool spend on each job site, when and for how long for the job site billing.
- Check what you have in the shop for the upcoming projects.
- Verify that each service truck have a complete set of tools needed for the job.
Tool Calibration And Maintenance Tracking
Using Mobile Forms For Tracking Tool Maintenance
Create
custom mobile forms for all types of tool related paperwork.
Field techs can easily complete tool calibration forms, tool maintenance, service and repair forms on a smartphone as they do the job. They can also
access tool specs, documents and past calibration and maintenance history in the mobile app with one QR code scan. This info makes
their job much more productive, and results in a better quality.
The forms are submitted from the mobile app to a back end cloud software in real time. All team members have live access to the collected data.
This digital tool maintenance system ensures that your tools are calibrated and maintained on time, preventing tools damage and unexpected break downs.
Tool Calibration And Maintenance Alerts
It is hard to keep track of everything in your head. Luckily, with the tool tracking software you do not have to.
A QR Inventory software will send you automatic alerts on all important events. This may include warranty expiration,
calibration, and preventive maintenance. You can create custom alerts on any other event that is important for your business.
In addition to the time based alert, you can receive e-mails if completed maintenance or inspection form contains an outlier that requires immediate attention.
Act fast on any reported problems, and always keep tools and equipment in a good shape!
Tracking Construction Tools Lifetime History
In the QR Inventory software
you can track each construction tool individually by the serial number.
You know the full life time history of each tool, and can review it
at any time.
All events that happened to a construction tool are recorded in the mobile app. These include tool check out and return, repairs,
maintenance, calibration, and anything else.
You can access a lifetime history of each asset, with all details and completed forms
via the cloud software web dashboard.
Customizable Tool Tracking Process
Control Construction Tool Tracking Process
A QR Inventory software is very customizable. You can easily adapt it to your business needs and workflow. You can customize almost every aspect of the
tool management process via the cloud software web dashboard.
Some of the things you can set up are:
- What data to store for the different asset groups
- What documentation employees should be able to access in the field
- What asset transactions you need
- What data to collect for each tool transaction
- Create custom mobile forms for field data recording
- Create custom alerts and notifications
- Customize main assets and inventory web dashboard
- Customize tool tracking reports
- and more...
