Asset Tracking
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Asset Tracking and Management
Paresh Mathew
BSA/385
Asset Tracking and Management
Firm operations greatly depend on the assets and it is important that they are preserved to ensure that objectives are met. In particular, this paper will focus on asset tracking and management at the warehouse level. Specifically, this function will be analyzed in the context of UniGroup Logistics which is a company that specializes in warehousing and distribution services. The following analysis is a definition of aspects necessary for implementing a software application for asset tracking and management.
Hardware platform is one of the necessary components for implementing the asset management and tracking software application. One of the important hardware is the computers important for connecting the personnel in charge of tracking and managing of assets to the software application. Computers in this case comprise of monitor, keyboard, CPU and mouse. Secondly, the storage facility is other hardware component necessary for storing data and information relating to assets for easy management and tracking (Evizal, Rahman & Rahim, 2012). Additionally, servers are also important in ensuring that networking is enabled for the tracking and management software in creating a unitary system for this function. Mounted bar code readers will also be needed for scanning goods as they end the warehouse.
All these hardware components are connected through a framework of network connections in supporting the software application. The following diagram is a representation of network connections important for the software application.
Figure 1: Network Connections (Source: www.creately.com )
Database information is another important aspect necessary for the functioning of assets tracking and management software application. Asset tracking and management is a very important aspect for customer relationships and this is realized through establishment of effective database information. Through database functions, UniGroup Logistics Company will be able to effectively track and manage assets within their warehouses. Along tracking and managing assets, database information will be resourceful to UniGroup for identifying personnel responsible for every asset. Personnel at all levels will perform their tasks guided by accountability and transparency considering that the database functions will be able to even track how assets are handled at various levels. In the event an asset is misplaced within the premises of UniGroup Logistics, the database functions will enable effective tracking and management of the assets through the personnel involved in its handling. This framework provides for the entity-relationship aspect of asset tracking and management.
Figure 2: Database Information. (Source: www.creately.com )
Connecting the employees and management to the information about the assets in the warehouses is an interface. User interface should match the organizational functions and in this focus is on UniGroup Logistics. Key components important for the data collection user interface are type of asset, customer, location and assigned personnel. Therefore the tracking and management software should incorporate a user interface that incudes asset information on type and individual coding this will be important in determining mode of storage. It is also important that it features customer information as well as the location of the asset considering that UniGroup Logistics is a large company with many warehouses. Additionally, the assigned personnel should also be captured at the data collection user interface for accountability. When personnel make queries to the software application, automatic notifications should be enabled at the mobile devices of the individual personnel.
As part of tracking and management of assets it is important that the software application applies certain controls for ensuring accuracy. One of the ways to ensure accurate asset information is through increased bureaucracies that will ensure cross checking of recording at the entry and exit points of assets into and from the UniGroup warehouses. Avoidance of value addition should also be upheld for purposes of avoiding variations of the initial recorded asset information (Evizal, Rahman & Rahim, 2012). Further internal controls may also include labeling of pallet with specific tags that will also be captured in the asset storage information in making tracking and management easy. Regarding assignment activity, mobile code scanning devices should be able to post unique identity numbers for the specific personnel handling a particular asset. Therefore the tracking and management software system will be able to identify the personnel responsible for a particular asset in relation to a specific asset code and user device code.
UniGroup Logistics should also ensure the asset management and tracking system is secure in all aspects. In relation to physical damage, it is important that the storage facilities and servers are isolated in a space that has adequate air circulation and is free from dust and water. This will ensure that the hardware components necessary for the functioning of the software application are protected from dust and water. Additionally, isolation of servers and storage facilities will prevent the physical damage during operations within the warehousing and logistic functions. On the part of protection the software, it is important that UniGroup secures its system with antimalware software that will block out any harmful software content.
In general, implementing the asset management and tracking software application requires all aspects of hardware, network connections, database functions, user interfaces, controls and security. As a result, UniGroup will be able to track and manage assets within their warehouses effectively until they are delivered to the customers.
References
Evizal, E., Rahman, T. A., & Rahim, S. K. A. (2012). Active RFID Technology for Asset Tracking and Management System. TELKOMNIKA (Telecommunication Computing Electronics and Control), 11(1), 137-146. (Evizal, Rahman & Rahim, 2012)
