What Is Mobile Asset Tracking? What You Need to Know

Efficiently managing and monitoring assets, especially those on the move, can be challenging. Mobile asset tracking offers a dynamic solution to keep tabs on your valuable resources wherever they are. 

This article will dive into the key features of mobile asset tracking, explore its advantages, and provide insights on how to implement a mobile asset tracking system effectively. 

Whether you're dealing with vehicles, equipment, or other mobile assets, understanding this technology is essential for optimizing your asset management strategy.

Main Takeaways From This Article:

• Mobile asset tracking enables businesses to monitor and manage multiple assets using a mobile device.
• This technology relies on GPS, cloud integration, asset tagging, and customizable tracking fields to ensure efficient tracking, streamlined operations, and accurate decision-making.
• Key advantages include accurate updates, enhanced flexibility, improved data accuracy, and increased operational efficiency.
• Implementing a mobile asset tracking system involves assessing needs, selecting the right software, planning effectively, tagging assets, and integrating with existing systems for seamless operation.
• RedBeam offers a comprehensive mobile asset tracking solution, providing tools that make tracking assets easier, more accurate, and highly accessible from any location.
  
  

What Is Mobile Asset Tracking?

Mobile asset tracking uses smartphones and other mobile devices to monitor and manage assets on the go from multiple locations. This technology lets businesses monitor their key asset data, fixed assets, mobile assets, asset tags, inventory, equipment, and property, providing updates anytime, anywhere. It enhances asset management by knowing your valuable assets' location, status, and condition.

How Mobile Asset Tracking Works

Mobile asset tracking devices harness GPS technology and wireless communication to monitor and manage assets. Here's how this technology works to track and manage data: 

• Data Capture: Collects real-time asset information, including location, condition, and status, using devices like smartphones or handheld scanners.
• Cloud Integration: Syncs data with centralized cloud systems for seamless access, updates, and asset visibility across multiple locations.
• Asset Tagging & Scanning: Enables quick identification and status updates by scanning unique asset tags with mobile apps.
• GPS Tracking: Tracks the real-time location of mobile or distributed assets, providing precise movement data and enhancing security.
• Customizable Tracking Fields: Allows businesses to tailor data fields for specific needs, such as maintenance schedules or usage metrics.
• Tool Tracking: Monitors valuable tools across locations, ensuring visibility, reducing losses, and improving operational efficiency.

These processes work together to provide accurate, real-time insights that streamline asset management and enhance decision-making.

Advantages of Mobile Asset Tracking

Mobile asset tracking offers a range of advantages that transform how businesses manage their resources, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and security.

Accurate Asset Location Updates

Real-time tracking allows businesses to pinpoint the exact location of their assets, reducing the risk of theft, loss, or misplacement. This capability also streamlines audits, ensuring operational security by providing a clear and accurate overview of where assets are at any given time.

Accessibility and Flexibility

Mobile systems make asset data accessible anytime and anywhere, enabling managers to make quick, informed decisions even when on the go. This flexibility is especially valuable for organizations with distributed teams, ensuring smooth operations and prompt responses to any issues that arise.

Reliable Data and Reduced Errors

Automated tracking eliminates the inaccuracies of manual processes, providing precise, real-time data. This reliable information supports better asset management and long-term planning, allowing businesses to optimize how resources are allocated and maintained.

Increased Operational Efficiency

By automating manual tracking and reducing administrative tasks, businesses can save time and streamline their workflows. Improved efficiency leads to faster response times, better resource allocation, and an overall boost in productivity.

Improved Inventory Control

Mobile tracking provides real-time updates and accurate data, making fixed inventory management more accurate and efficient. Discrepancies are reduced, ghost assets are identified and removed, and all assets are accounted for, leading to enhanced accountability and smoother operations.

Cost Savings

Accurate tracking prevents unnecessary spending by reducing losses, avoiding redundant purchases, and minimizing repair or replacement costs. This results in significant financial savings and ensures businesses can maximize their return on investment.

Better Asset Utilization

Detailed tracking insights reveal usage patterns, helping businesses ensure assets are fully utilized. Reducing idle time and optimizing resource deployment increases productivity and ensures assets contribute to business goals effectively.

Enhanced Security

Real-time monitoring and alerts protect assets from theft or loss, ensuring they remain secure and operational. This proactive approach provides peace of mind and ensures that valuable resources are always accounted for.

How To Implement a Mobile Asset Tracking System

Implementing a mobile asset tracking system can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of your asset management processes. Here's an overview of the key steps involved, along with best practices and considerations to ensure smooth and effective implementation: 

1. Assess Your Needs

Start by evaluating your organization’s unique requirements. Determine:

• The types of assets you need to track (e.g., machinery, IT equipment).
• Asset locations and movement frequency.
• Specific data points required, such as usage, condition, or maintenance schedules.

This assessment lays the groundwork for selecting the right system and aligning it with your operational goals.

2. Choose the Right Software

Select a mobile asset tracking solution that fits your needs. Look for features like:

• Real-time updates for precise tracking.
• User-friendly interfaces to encourage team adoption.
• Scalability to grow with your organization.

For example, RedBeam’s mobile asset tracking solutions offer robust capabilities for businesses of all sizes, ensuring seamless and efficient operations.

3. Plan and Strategize

Develop a detailed implementation plan that outlines:

• Clear timelines for deployment.
• Budget considerations for software, equipment, and training.
• Roles and responsibilities for stakeholders involved.
• Strategies for migrating data from existing systems.

A well-coordinated plan ensures the transition to mobile tracking is smooth and efficient.

4. Perform a Pilot Test

Before a full rollout, test the system with a small group of users. The pilot phase helps:

• Identify potential challenges or technical issues.
• Fine-tune the system based on real-world feedback.
• Build confidence among your team by addressing concerns early.
  
  

5. Train Your Team

Effective implementation hinges on user adoption. Provide hands-on training sessions that cover:

• How to navigate and use the mobile system.
• Best practices for scanning and tagging assets.
• Troubleshooting common issues.

Encourage open communication and promptly address any questions to ensure your team feels confident with the new system.

6. Tag Your Assets

Label all assets with barcodes, QR codes, or  RFID tags for easy tracking. These tags allow for:

• Quick retrieval of asset information.
• Faster, more efficient scanning during audits or updates.
• Improved accuracy in maintaining asset records.
  
  

7. Integrate With Existing Systems

Ensure your mobile asset tracking system integrates seamlessly with your current enterprise tools, such as ERP or inventory management software. Centralizing data across systems enhances visibility and reduces duplication of efforts.

8. Monitor and Optimize

Once implemented, continually evaluate the system’s performance.

• Gather feedback from users to identify pain points.
• Track metrics like audit completion times or error rates.
• Adjust workflows or system settings as needed to improve efficiency and user satisfaction.

Track Assets Easily With RedBeam

Mobile asset tracking software transforms how organizations manage moving assets, improving visibility, boosting efficiency, and reducing the risks of mismanagement.

RedBeam's asset management software offers intuitive tools like  mobile asset tracking, field asset tracking, and seamless integration with mobile scanners and printers. Effortlessly add, update, and manage asset data from your smartphone, ensuring complete visibility and control wherever your assets are.

Don’t let valuable assets go untracked. Optimize your strategy with RedBeam— try it today or schedule a demo to see the difference.