Today’s hands-on organizations have plenty of advanced equipment at their disposal. But one of the most important tools they use isn’t a machine at all — it’s the software that tracks resources.
Why?
Well, think about the integral role equipment plays in an operation. Without a good asset racking system in place, there’s no visibility into the location, quantity, or condition of the machines and tools when they’re needed. Teams have a harder time meeting deadlines, planning production schedules, or managing maintenance, and they probably spend a lot more than necessary on carrying costs for assets that are no longer required.
Most equipment inventory software will outshine even the best-managed manual tracking systems. But which programs are the best of the best?
To help you choose the right software for your organization, we’ve rounded up the top platforms and tools for asset and equipment tracking.
What can equipment inventory software do for you?
Before settling on a software solution, decide what you hope to achieve with this new system. Is it to better monitor your equipment’s quality or to stay on top of maintenance schedules to avoid breakdowns? Are you trying to track equipment inventory across locations or hoping to make inventory audits easier? Knowing what your operation needs is the first step to researching solutions.
Whatever you identify as your main goals, any equipment inventory software will empower your organization to efficiently track, manage, and maintain valuable assets, leading to higher productivity, cost savings, and streamlined operations.
Here’s a look at how it works.
Monitor
From monitoring equipment health to optimizing maintenance schedules and even enabling data-driven decision-making, the right software can transform how you manage your equipment through:
- Asset tracking: A good tracking software solution automates asset tracking to reduce the need for audits and cycle counts and keep inventory records accurate.
- Machine production tracking: Different times of year call for different production levels. Equipment inventory software gives you the necessary data to plan ahead.
- Multi-location tracking: Tracking inventory quantities across and within your warehouses reveals exactly what you have on hand and makes transfers easy.
Manage
Equipment inventory software streamlines various processes, ensuring efficient production and inventory control. Here’s how:
- Predictable production: Set schedules for recurring work orders, aligning production with sales trends and seasonal demand to avoid overstocking or shortages.
- Automated replenishment: Ensure timely restocking by setting custom reorder points to trigger automatic purchase orders when inventory levels dip.
- Flexible ordering: Generate purchase orders for multiple locations, tailoring orders to each warehouse’s unique needs.
Maintain
Keeping your equipment in optimal condition is a must to reduce downtime and ensure smooth operations. Equipment inventory software makes it possible through:
- Repair tracking: With the right software solution, you can monitor equipment age, status, and usage to proactively schedule maintenance and minimize disruptions.
- Repair vendor management: Track repairs sent to vendors, including location, payment terms, and performance history for data-driven decision-making.
- Custom work order generation: Create tailored work orders for unique repairs, specifying instructions and assigning them to specific locations or technicians.
The best equipment inventory software solutions for hands-on businesses
1.Fishbowl
Fishbowl Manufacturing offers comprehensive equipment inventory tracking capabilities tailor-made for manufacturers, empowering businesses to efficiently manage their valuable assets, optimize utilization, and streamline maintenance processes.
Key features
- Asset tracking: Detailed tracking of individual equipment items, including serial numbers, purchase history, and location.
- Multi-location tracking: Real-time visibility into equipment across multiple warehouses and facilities via barcode scanning, plain-text scanning, and other tracking methods.
- Customizable reporting: Generation of insightful reports on equipment usage, maintenance history, and age.
- System integration: Seamless integration with QuickBooks and other accounting and manufacturing systems.
- User-friendly interface: Intuitive navigation and customizable dashboards for easy inventory management.
- Scalability: Designed to support growing businesses with expanding inventory needs.
- Production scheduling: Assign workers and equipment to work orders to keep manufacturing running smoothly.
2. ToolSense
ToolSense uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology and data analytics to provide manufacturers with real-time equipment tracking, predictive maintenance, and actionable insights, enabling proactive decision-making and optimized asset utilization.
Key features
- IoT-enabled tracking: Real-time visibility into equipment location, utilization, and performance through IoT sensors and connectivity, from assets to vehicles.
- Predictive maintenance: AI-driven algorithms that analyze equipment data to predict potential failures and schedule maintenance proactively.
- Condition monitoring: Continuous monitoring of equipment health and performance to identify issues early and prevent costly downtime.
- Maintenance workflows: Streamlined, automated workflows for creating and managing maintenance tasks, work orders, and technician assignments.
3. Asset Panda
Asset Panda offers a cloud-based asset tracking platform with customization options and mobile capabilities, making it a versatile solution for managing equipment inventory and streamlining maintenance operations.
Key features
- Customizable asset tracking: Custom fields and barcode labels for efficient inventory management.
- Barcode scanning: Custom barcodes and QR codes with BYOD barcode scanner functionality to simplify asset lookups.
- Numerous integrations: Streamline workflows across platforms with automatic syncing across tools.
- Check-in/Check-out: Up-to-date asset check-out data and reminders when check-in is past due.
4. ShareMyToolbox
Designed for construction and field service companies, ShareMyToolbox is a cloud-based asset management system that enables efficient equipment, consumables, and tool tracking across multiple job sites and teams.
Key features
- Pre-made asset tags: Ready-to-buy metal or polyester barcode and QR tags for fast, easy equipment tagging.
- Peer-to-peer sharing technology: Easy to move tools from person to person or from the warehouse to the field.
- Easy audits: A simple audit system to verify the equipment and construction tools currently on the job site.
5. EZOfficeInventory
Made for manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and education, EZOfficeInventory’s cloud-based asset tracking platform provides comprehensive features to manage assets, track their location and usage, and streamline maintenance processes.
Key features
- Asset tracking: Customizable fields and barcode scanning to track assets like equipment, IT hardware, and furniture. Plus, monitor lifecycles from procurement to retirement.
- Check-in/Check-out: An easy check-in/check-out system to simplify asset allocation and track responsibility.
- Calibration management: Custom alerts to improve calibration turnaround time.
6. eWorkOrders CMMS
eWorkOrders CMMS is a cloud-based computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) designed to help manufacturers streamline maintenance operations, reduce equipment downtime, and improve asset reliability.
Key features
- Work order management: Automated requests for maintenance and repair that track tasks from beginning to end.
- Predictive maintenance: A condition-based program that uses sensors to monitor assets to predict the need for maintenance or replacement.
- Inventory management: Ensures availability by tracking the inventory levels of spare parts and consumables.
7. GigaTrak
GigaTrak is a cloud-based asset tracking and management platform that combines real-time asset visibility with powerful management tools to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Key features
- Real-time asset tracking: GPS, RFID, and barcode technology to track assets indoors or outdoors, including documents and packages.
- Geofencing and alerts: Custom alerts when an asset enters or exits a preset virtual boundary.
- Usage tracking: Asset usage pattern monitoring to identify under- or overutilized equipment.
8. GoCodes
Using QR codes and barcodes, GoCodes offers a versatile asset tracking and management solution that streamlines workflows and simplifies the data collection process.
Key features
- QR code and barcode tracking: Scannable asset tags for quick identification and tracking.
- Asset depreciation calculator: Asset value tracking to calculate fixed-asset depreciation, potentially reducing the company’s tax liability.
- Reporting and analytics: Insightful reports on asset utilization, maintenance history, and location.
9. Geoforce
Geoforce provides robust asset tracking and management solutions for industries like oil and gas, construction, and mining, focusing on operational efficiency, real-time visibility, and durability in harsh field environments.
Key features
- Ruggedized tracking devices: Durable, weatherproof, and impact-resistant devices for tracking assets in challenging conditions.
- Real-time GPS tracking: Satellite and cellular connectivity for monitoring asset location, movement, and utilization in real time.
- Geofencing and alerts: Virtual boundaries that trigger alerts for unauthorized asset movement or entry into restricted areas.
10. ManagerPlus
ManagerPlus is a comprehensive maintenance and asset management solution that streamlines operations and improves efficiency across various industries, including manufacturing, education, hospitality, and government.
Key features
- Streamlined inspections: A mobile app for streamlining inspection report creation and access.
- Business intelligence reports: Customizable asset reports to evaluate the value and performance of equipment based on the individual organization’s KPIs.
- Mobile-friendly equipment management: An easy-to-use mobile solution for tracking everything from preventative maintenance to inventory levels to vendor work.
11. SAP EAM
An enterprise asset management (EAM) system catering to large organizations with complex asset portfolios and extensive maintenance requirements, SAP EAM optimizes the management of physical assets throughout their entire lifecycle.
Key features
- Asset master data management: A centralized repository for all asset-related information, including technical specifications, maintenance history, and location.
- Maintenance planning and scheduling: Advanced planning and scheduling tools that optimize maintenance activities based on resource availability and asset criticality.
- Mobile asset management: On-the-go access to work orders, asset information, and inventory data.
12. AssetExplorer
While AssetExplorer was originally designed as IT asset management software, this solution’s inventory tracking features and comprehensive asset management functionalities enable organizations to manage both IT and non-IT assets from procurement to disposal.
Key features
- Asset lifecycle management: A single solution for managing assets from procurement and deployment to maintenance, depreciation, and disposal.
- Maintenance planning and scheduling: Service history tracking and planning support for preventative maintenance tasks on tools and equipment.
- Reporting and analytics: Detailed report generation for analyzing asset utilization, depreciation, and compliance.
13. MicroMain
MicroMain is a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) and EAM solution designed to streamline maintenance operations, enhance asset reliability, and optimize inventory management for various industries.
Key features
- Work order management: Service history tracking and planning support for preventative maintenance tasks for tools and equipment.
- Multi-location management: Streamlined maintenance operations across multiple locations and company divisions.
- Lifecycle management: A user-friendly system for managing work orders, prioritizing tasks, and tracking labor, parts, and tools.
Streamline your equipment inventory management with Fishbowl
From tracking individual equipment items to managing multi-location inventory and generating insightful reports, implementing an equipment inventory management solution will help you make better decisions, optimize asset utilization, and reduce costs. And Fishbowl can help.
Fishbowl is much more than just asset management software — it’s an all-in-one inventory management solution designed to help you control stock levels, warehouse operations, manufacturing workflows, and more. The platform also integrates with QuickBooks to promote financial visibility.
Are you ready to take control of your stock and gain end-to-end visibility over your operations? Schedule a demo of Fishbowl, the intuitive, scalable, and user-friendly inventory management platform.