By Jeanie Bailey


For small businesses and large companies alike, keeping track of assets and inventory is a critical business function. Barcode Tracking Software is designed with a standard set of features to help meet this need. These features can be found with nearly all programs either as included sets or add-on items for additional expense. The main items are inventory control, asset management, multiple site controls, scanner and printer integration, and finally inclusion of export formats to be used with other software systems.

Controlling the inventory is simply keeping an accurate count of the products or parts on hand. With the older systems, employees would track products on paper forms. This is both time consuming and costly. The manual system slows down the ability to know what is available for shipping and for sale. In order to quickly fulfill customer orders, a company has to know exactly what is available at all times.

Asset management typically includes keeping track of non-product items. Work computers, printers, office furniture, and vehicles are examples of company owned items that are tracked using asset management features. Not only can the assets be tracked, but when used with other programs the value can be tracked. This is important for tax purposes as well as controlling company expenses.

Multiple site warehouse controls are designed to track items as they move from one company location to another. Whether the location is an actual warehouse or a retail location, it is extremely important to be able to tag each item with its location. Each location can then operate efficiently. Using this feature, companies are able to shift their inventory between locations as needed, providing a better customer experience and eliminating wasted expense.

Scanners are made in different formats. Wireless hand scanners are the most popular style. These are used by employees to scan items during weekly or monthly inventory counts. Using these scanners eliminates costly mistakes made by employees entering incorrect handwritten data into the system. Wired and desk scanners are popular in warehouses to check items in and out as they are transferred from one location to another.

Barcode printers have been manufactured for some time. They include special paper with a sticky sheet that is peeled and stuck onto the item. This allows companies to track products using their own barcodes. Using this type of system makes inventory management extremely efficient. The programs are also able to print the codes using standard paper.

Integrating with other software programs has become essential. While the tracking systems come loaded with features, many companies need to port the information to their financial software, spreadsheets, and even the Internet cloud. The flexibility of integration eliminates hours of transcribing the information from one system to another. Many of the popular program data formats are included.

Companies must keep track of both inventory and assets in order to compete in today's global economy. The standard features of tracking software provide an efficient and effective way of handling this process. The systems reduce employee time and mistakes that could be very costly to a company trying to grow and compete. Using these systems ensures nearly immediate and perfectly accurate access to company inventory data which allows for better management decisions.




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