Asset management ensures that the tools used to complete a job can be easily located on-site, are available, and are in working order. The problem often is, there’s simply too much to track without a centralized system of accountability that isn’t a pen-and-paper process. With poor asset management practices comes increased labor costs, equipment losses, and the potential for unneeded spending on duplicate assets. Needless to say, you need your assets to be ready for use every day and rugged tablets can help.
Effective Asset Tracking and Management
Maintaining an accurate inventory of all your assets is crucial when running a business, especially one in the utility industry. Manual asset and equipment tracking are difficult, particularly in sectors that must operate in harsh environments. However, rugged tablets are intended to provide smarter asset management. Users and businesses can put clipboards and paper in the past by employing rugged tablets to capture data, verify assets, or evaluate maintenance needs. With rugged tablets, precision GPS accuracy, and easy-to-share maps and form files, organizations can bring asset and utility management forward and become more efficient.
Effective Quality Control Measures
Rugged tablets are designed with modern applications and features that offer real-time tracking and monitoring of all processes to ensure all the required minimum standards are met. By using rugged tablets, data is collected, and managers can analyze that data, and use it in finding trends that can get your organization an extra edge.
The other good thing about rugged tablets is that they are designed to be used even when wearing gloves to ensure the highest level of accuracy is achieved even when working in remote areas.
Scanning Device
Most rugged tablets have the capability of having an optional barcode scanner and UHF RFID reader installed. The scanners are now so sophisticated they can read 1D or 2D barcodes and the labels don’t even need to be in pristine condition. Dirty or damaged codes can be read just as quickly. A rugged tablet can scan just as easily out on the dock in bright sunlight as it can indoors or even underground. There is a long-range option for the barcode scanners (up to 60 feet) and the UHF RFID readers enable batch reading from up to 30 feet.
Compared to most smartphones, a rugged tablet’s barcode scanner is more secure. Consumer phones aren’t made to store and transfer data, whereas a rugged tablet’s main function is to do just that.
Important features of rugged tablets for the utility sector:
- Hardy enough to withstand harsh environments
- Seamless touchscreen design and readability
- Mobility and versatility
- Water and dustproof design to work even in the field
- Ability to run on more than one operating system
Rugged tablets and the right asset management software allow you to keep track of your assets, so you know where they are, who has them, and when you can expect these tools back in circulation. It can also help track the physical condition of tools, to avoid downtime or disruptions in service.