If something can be lost then it will be lost.

If there is one unchallenged fact about school life it is that each year many students will misplace equipment and possessions.

A recent survey confirmed that around 80% of school students lose at least one valuable item a year. This is a serious problem when it is something as valuable as a tablet or other IT device, then matters become a lot more serious.

Match this up with the fact that in recent years tablet ownership among school students have more than quadrupled.

This is a worrying sign, students losing valuable items means that schools and parents are having to fork out for replacements more often than they would prefer.

The most common cause of a 'lost' device is not just theft, in face only a tiny minority are actually stolen. These 'lost' devices are often left somewhere and forgotten. 

The majority of schools are getting clever about this and marking all their portable IT equipment with labels. This is where our ID Silver Mark labels can help, they are precision cut stencils which can include your school name and any contact information that you require. These labels are then painted with UV ink to show up should the label be removed, more information on these labels can be found at www.idmark.com.

Alternatively for smaller portable items, our ID Mini Mark Labels can help to identify and track each item. Due to their size they are suitable for all small electronic equipment including microphones, earphones as well as cables, cameras and similar equipment. Each ID Mini Mark Label can incorporate a serial number and/or bar code thus making it possible to include a lot of data in a small space. Should anybody attempt to remove the asset label or switch the label onto some other equipment, the material will break into small pieces, thus announcing the fact that the label has been tampered with. Furthermore, because the data is engraved into the surface of the label it cannot be removed with chemicals and cleaning materials. The Mini Mark labels can be provided with white text on black or silver material with black text. There is more information on our website -www.idassetlabels.co.uk.

Alternatively, please call us on 01354 688 488 or email us sales@dantech.co.uk for free and unbiased help and advice. 

Pot pal?

Asking a member of staff if they currently has a specific company “pot pal” is likely to result in something of a blank look.  The problem is that even if you reverse “pot pal” and instead ask them if they have a specific laptop the look is likely to be the same.

In short, what you are looking for doesn’t matter.  If it is missing, denial of all knowledge is the standard response.

The rule is simple: if a laptop goes missing, it is as if it never existed.  Pot pal and laptop may be opposites in spelling but once they have gone, you can be sure no one remembers the item at all. 

As one manager said,

“No one wants to admit that they have taken a couple of laptops and not returned them. So what happens is that they sneak the equipment back into store without admitting it was them – which means we are searching for things that have already been returned.”

This is why more and more business managers are introducing asset tracking. It saves time and money and leads to better utilisation of assets because you are able to better track maintenance and service records as well as other valuable information.


By including a barcode on the asset tag or label, you can easily keep track of all your business assets. And at times when you need to send your assets out of your business premises for repair or other purpose, your asset labels differentiate your assets from other similar assets.

Asset tracking allows a company to track what assets it owns, where each is located, who has it, when it was checked out, when it is due for return, when it is scheduled for maintenance, and the cost and depreciation of each asset.


With a high reputation built over the years on customer satisfaction, Dantech can provide help and advice with your asset marking requirements.  Please call us on 01354 688 488 or visit http://www.idassetlabels.co.uk/ for free and unbiased help and advice.

Asset Protection for Schools

As more schools update their IT equipment with more portable devices and other teaching aids the process of keeping track of all these often expensive items has become extremely important. 

This is quite a challenge in some schools as there can be a clear separation between the staff who utilise the equipment (often the teaching staff) and those who's responsibility (often members of the admin team) it is to keep track of the location, quantity, condition and maintenance status of these items.

Those using school equipment want to be able to find and use the items they need quickly and be sure they are in good working order. Those responsible want to have clear traceability and updated records so they know where these items are and their condition. They can also then quickly address any shortages and damaged/lost equipment issues.

The best solution to meeting the needs of both these groups is to use an asset management system. Each asset is labelled with its own unique number or barcode and school name. The numbering system or barcode can be used to create an inventory, while the label with the school name helps to make the ownership of the item clearly visible.  The inventory can be combined with an asset register, a copy of which may be kept off-site or in a fire-proof safe that is locked each night, to prove ownership.

Taking asset protection seriously

When people can see that equipment is being tracked, there is a strong disincentive for items to be “borrowed” without permission. It is also reassuring to insurers would will need to ask fewer questions and can actually reduce the annual premium. 

Asset Labels - Which Ones to Choose

Asset labels vary depending on the materials used and these range from inexpensive vinyl through to highly durable materials such as aluminium foil and polyesters.  The asset label materials used are important because you don't want your labels to be easily removed.

For asset labels that clearly show any tampering “ultra destructible” asset labels use a material that will break into small pieces if someone attempts to remove it. 

For ultimate strength you can use aluminium or stainless steel asset identification plates with industrial adhesive – these require a tool to be removed!

Why choose Dantech asset labels and plates

Dantech Ltd is an acknowledged supplier for more than 15 years to both industry, government departments and the educational and health sector of security marking products, asset labels and security labels.

With a high reputation built over the years on customer satisfaction Dantech can provide help and advice with your marking requirementscontact Dantech on 01354 688 488 for expert and unbiased help and advice.

Asset Tags - Asset Protection That Pays For Itself

What is the most cost effective way of stopping the misplacement of valuable equipment?

Protect you equipment and assets!

A recent school research project found that in over four fifths of schools each year at least one item of value goes “missing”. The survey, conducted by the School of Education Administration and Management, found that a substantial number of these “losses” originated from the ICT department.

This clearly highlights the high vulnerability of ICT equipment to theft and loss in schools and that steps do need to be taken to reduce these losses.

It is clear that any workable asset tracking solution will need:

• to actually reduces the level of items that go missing
• aiding the recovery of these items
• be cost effective 

Asset tags are a great security marking solution as when everyone can see that equipment is being tracked, there is a strong disincentive for the equipment to be “borrowed” without permission. 

A key benefit of asset tags is that the cost of using them is very cost effective and is far cheaper than replacing lost equipment each year. In addition schools are required to show proof of depreciation of assets, and having an asset tracking program in place will help schools keep an accurate record of the condition of their equipment ensuring this process runs smoothly. 

Asset tags and school insurance

Tracking your assets with asset tags also reduces questions from insurers and can even help to reduce your premiums as your insurance company can sees that the school is taking the issue of asset protection seriously.

Asset tag materials and properties.

Asset tags can be printed on a range of materials from polyester to aluminium and may include a barcode with a readable number or a readable asset number only. As the asset tag labels cannot be removed from one item and placed on another, you inhibit the use of the trick in which the label from a low-cost item is removed and put on a high cost item.  

The thought of the thief is that when the high-cost item is “lost”, no one will worry too much, as the system shows it as a low-cost item.  Now that problem is avoided.

Expert asset tagging and marking advice

Dantech are specialists in asset tags and can help you to find the right asset tag labels for your specific requirements. For more information visit http://www.idassetlabels.co.uk for free and unbiased help and advice.