QR Code Asset Tracking Software And Mobile Application

Asset Tracking In The QR Inventory Software - Table Of Contents

Benefits of using QR codes for asset tracking
Why use a QR Inventory software for asset tracking
How to create a QR code for an asset
QR code asset tracking using a mobile app
Using QR codes for asset information access
Using QR codes for equipment maintenance tracking
QR codes vs barcodes for asset tracking
QR codes vs RF tags (NFC, RFID, BLE) for asset tracking
 

Benefits Of Using QR Codes For Asset Tracking

QR code asset tracking system is an efficient, low cost and easy to implement solution. It gives you an ability to track assets anywhere with minimal efforts. Here are five main benefits of using QR codes for asset tracking:

• 1. QR codes are scannable by a smartphone. Field technicians can easily track assets anywhere by scanning a QR code label with a smartphone. Field employees can use their own devices (mobile phones running iOS or Android or tablets) that they are already familiar with.
• 2. On site asset info access with the QR code scan. Field technicians can access all info on the asset that they need to do their job with one QR code scan. The data can include equipment specs, documents, images, drawings, instructions, manuals, and more.
• 3. Real time assets visibility. A mobile app provides an instant link to the back end cloud software, giving an access to live data to all team members.
• 4. Organized digital documents. Asset tracking records are securely stored in the centralized cloud location. No manual entries or double entries into the different software systems are required. Authorized software users can access asset tracking info from anywhere via the web dashboard.
• 5. Low cost and easy to implement asset tracking solution. QR code asset tracking is easy to implement and is cost-effective as compared to more advanced asset tracking solutions, such as BLE asset tracking, RFID or GPS.

 

Why Use A QR Inventory Software For Asset Tracking

A QR Inventory software gives you more freedom of choice, flexibility and customization options than any other QR code asset tracking software. With the QR Inventory software, you can:

• Customize asset tracking process. Set up an asset tracking system based on your needs and workflow. You can create custom asset transactions, choose what data to collect for each transaction, what data to store in the system, customize dashboard and reports, and more.
• Select asset tags and trackers. You can select smart asset tags and trackers, or mix and match different types based on your needs and budget. Use QR codes, barcodes, NFC or BLE tags for asset tracking with the mobile app. Or you can opt for a fully automated IoT asset tracking system that does not require employees participation.
• Choose software hosting option. Host QR Inventory software with us, on your company internal network, or with the third party cloud providers such as AWS or Azure.
• More than asset tracking. Multiple modules allow you to add extra functionality that you need, such as parts and consumables tracking, asset maintenance tracking, field requests and reports, purchase orders and invoices, and more. Select only functionality that you need by mixing and matching QR Inventory system modules.

 

How To Create A QR Code For An Asset

In order to create QR code labels for your assets, go to the Print QR Codes menu item. From there you can select the desired option for creating QR codes for the assets:

• Click generate a QR code link to generate and print a QR code for the specific asset.
• Click bulk download and layout to generate QR code labels in bulk.
• Select zip archive download option for downloading a zip archive with generated QR code labels and print offline on a label printer.
• Select laid out labels download option for downloading ready to print pdf with QR code labels. You can print these labels using sheet labels and a regular office printer.

You can generate QR code labels for the assets that you have already entered into the QR Inventory software, or use pre-printed QR code labels. You can associate each pre-printed label with an asset in the mobile app.

Questions on QR code asset tracking labels

Can I use existing QR codes or barcodes for asset tracking?

You can use existing QR code labels for asset tracking. QR code labels generated outside of the QR Inventory software should have a unique asset ID / serial number encoded in them. You can also use manufacturer's barcode, as long as it has an asset serial number encoded in it.

Do I need to purchase a special label printer?

You do not have to purchase a special printer to print QR code labels. You can use any label printer and the roll labels, or a regular office printer and the sheet labels. You can also order pre-printed weather-proof permanent QR code asset tracking labels from us.

Can we use the same QR code for the customers and for the internal asset tracking?

You can use the same QR code for the customers and internal asset tracking if a url encoded in the QR code includes a unique asset ID. In this case, if a customer scans a QR code with a generic mobile app, he will see an asset web page. An employee who scans the same QR code using a QR Inventory mobile app will be able to perform asset tracking tasks.

Should we reprint a QR code when asset information changes?

There is no need to reprint a QR code if you change asset information. All information is dynamically fetched from the central database, and is always current.

 

QR Code Asset Tracking With The Mobile App

You can track asset in the field with the QR code scanning mobile app in three easy steps:

• QR codes labeling. Label assets with the QR codes, and enter them in the QR Inventory software.
• Use a mobile app for QR code scanning. Scan a QR code with a smartphone to record asset check in, check out, transfer or delivery.
• Review asset tracking reports. Review current asset location and movement history in the QR Inventory software reports.

Questions related to asset and equipment tracking in the QR code scanning mobile app

Can company employees access real time asset location or there is a delay?

Asset tracking data recorded on the different mobile devices by the company employees are updated in the central database on the remote cloud server in real time. There is no delay in the asset status update. All relevant info is instantly available to the authorized software users, on the mobile devices in the field and computers in the office.

Can we record any extra data when tracking assets?

A QR Inventory software gives you an option to specify what extra data you want to collect when recording an asset re-location in the mobile app. You define what data to collect via a cloud software web dashboard. After scanning an asset QR code, company employee will be able to enter all required info in the mobile app. Admin software users can access collected data in the reports.

Field techs can record text based data, select values from the list, add images taken with a smartphone camera and collect signatures.

What asset tracking hardware should we use for QR code scanning?

Company employees can use their own smartphones or tablets for QR code scanning. A QR Inventory mobile app is available for all mobile devices, smartphones and tablets, running Android or iOS. If you prefer to use hand-held barcode scanners, you can use bluetooth barcode scanners connected to a smartphone, and / or any type of a barcode scanner connected to the computer. You can also use company issued android smartphones, or mobile computers running Android OS.

How do we scan an asset QR code with a smartphone?

You will use a mobile app for scanning QR code labels. A mobile app is available for Android and iOS, and allows you to save money on purchasing asset tracking hardware. If you need to scan QR codes in the poorly lit areas, you can configure a mobile app to turn on the flashlight during the scan.

How do we scan an asset QR code with the barcode scanner?

You will need a barcode scanner which is capable of scanning 2D barcodes. If you mostly do asset tracking in the field, a smartphone would be a better choice for processing asset transactions. Therefore you will need a bluetooth barcode scanner that can be connected to a smartphone.
A QR Inventory mobile app for iPhone or iPad is natively integrated with the Socket Mobile line of bluetooth barcode scanners. An Android mobile app will work with any bluetooth barcode scanner.
If you mostly do asset tracking in the office environment, then you can process asset transactions on the office computer. You can then use any barcode scanner that can be put in the HID mode and can be connected to a computer, either via USB or a bluetooth.

Can we use QR codes for entering new assets into the software

If you are just starting an asset tracking process and do not have an assets list, you can enter existing assets into the software fast using a mobile app and QR codes. You can stick pre-printed QR code labels on the assets. After an asset is labeled, scan a QR code with a smartphone and enter asset info in the mobile app. From this point a QR code will be linked to the asset you scanned.

 

Using QR codes For Accessing Asset Specs And Documents

Field employees often need to review asset or equipment data on the spot. A QR code scanning mobile app gives them this option. By scanning a QR code with the QR Inventory mobile app field technicians can access all equipment info they need to do their job. The data may include equipment specs, data sheets, images, drawing, manuals, operating instructions, etc., etc. You control what info field technicians can access via the cloud software web interface.

Questions on using QR Codes for asset data access

How do I control what info is accessible with a QR code scan?

You control what field techs can access in the mobile app via a cloud software web interface. Use asset and inventory custom fields to specify which asset data you would like to keep in the system. Custom fields can include all kinds of data: text, images, pdf documents, etc. After you create custom fields, you will be able to enter relevant info in these fields, upload images or pdf files. - and field technicians will access this information on their smartphones by scanning a QR code.

 

Using QR codes for equipment maintenance tracking

Using QR codes is not limited to asset location tracking. You can use QR codes for tracking assets maintenance, service and repair, and fill out all other types of asset related paperwork on a smartphone using mobile forms.

Questions related to using QR codes for equipment maintenance tracking

How do we use QR codes for asset maintenance tracking?

A QR code scan identifies an asset and ensures that a field tech does not make a mistake by entering an asset serial number manually. Once a technician scans a QR code on the asset, he can proceed with filling out a maintenance or service form on a smartphone. A completed form will be linked to the scanned asset.
You can also use QR code scanning to scan in data in the form fields. For example you can scan in serial numbers of parts used for equipment repair, etc.
You can find out more about using QR codes and mobile forms for asset maintenance tracking here.

What kind of mobile forms can we create?

You can create mobile forms for any type of paperwork, not just for equipment maintenance tracking. Some of the examples are:

• Quality control forms
• Inspection checklists
• Product testing
• Safety inspection
• SOP checklist
• and more...

Here you can find more information on digital paperwork solutions.

 

Using QR codes vs barcodes for asset tracking

If your assets or equipment come with the manufacturer's barcode, you may be able to use it for asset tracking, and skip re-labeling assets with the QR codes. The important thing to keep in mind though - manufacturers' barcodes may have SKU encoded in them, and not the asset serial number. This means that assets of the same type will have the same barcode, and you will not be able to tell them apart. If this is the case, then labeling assets with the QR codes that encode asset serial number is required.

Questions on QR codes vs barcodes for asset tracking

Can we create both barcodes and QR codes in the QR Inventory software?

QR Inventory software generates only QR codes. If your assets and equipment are not labeled, use a QR code generation and printing tool to create QR code labels. It makes sense to use barcodes instead of QR codes only if your assets are already labeled. In this case you can skip re-labeling and use existing barcodes, assuming that a barcode encodes a unique serial number for each asset.

Is there an advantage of using QR codes vs barcodes for asset tracking?

If your assets are not labeled, QR codes will work better. QR codes can be scanned more reliably with a smartphone camera. Even if a part of a QR code is damaged you may still be able to scan it, due to the error correction built in the QR codes. It makes sense to use barcodes instead of QR codes only if your assets are already labeled.
 

Using QR codes vs RF tags (NFC, BLE, RFID) for asset tracking

QR codes help you automate asset tracking tasks in the way you could not before. Company employees can easily track assets re-location, access asset specs and documents, record asset maintenance in the field using a smartphone and QR code scanning. A mobile app link to a back end cloud software provides live data to all authorized software users.
However, QR code is not the most advanced asset tracking method. Various RF tags (such as NFC, RFID, BLE) provide higher degree of asset tracking automation than QR codes. These tags can be used by a technician with a smartphone to do bulk asset scanning. It works much faster than scanning a QR code on each single asset. BLE tags can also be used with a Bluetooth IoT gateway. BLE tags and IoT gateway combo creates a fully automated asset tracking system that does not rely on company employees to do any extra work.