The Label that Never Comes Off

What is the first thing you must do when introducing a new security system for laptops, tablets, cables, musical instruments, etc?

Quite simply the answer to that question is, “tell everyone”.

By which I don’t mean, tell everyone in assembly that you have a new security system, because that of itself could be seen as a challenge to those of a somewhat darker personality.

Rather I mean that as the items which are secured are loaned out to students you give them, and their parents, a note saying that the school has introduced a new tracking system for these items, and that if any item is lost it is important that you should be told at once. You just need make them aware that the items are protected.

Next you need a label on each item before its given out on loan and that raises two questions.

1. How can one label particularly small items of equipment, 
2. How can one ensure that there is no way that anyone can remove the label?

The way to do this is via the use of a label in which the school name is cut out and painted with UV ink so that it will show up should the label be removed.  Plus, by simply letting everyone in the school know that this is the case, you can reduce attempts to remove the label by well over 90%.

For larger items, ID Silver Mark are precision cut stencil labels which are ideal for labelling IT equipment (including iPads, tablets and mobiles) as no one can remove the label without it fragmenting, and even if they get peeled off the UV paint still shows the school name and postcode.

Find out more: ID Mark - ID Silver Mark Labels

For smaller items there is the ID Mini Mark Label which is not only hard to remove, but can also incorporate a serial number and/or barcode thus making it possible to include data in a small space.
Additionally should anybody attempt to remove the asset label or switch the label onto some other equipment, the material will break into small pieces, thus visibly announcing the fact that the label has been interfered with.

Furthermore, because the data is engraved into the surface of the label it cannot be removed with chemicals and cleaning materials.

Mini Mark labels are also ideal for musical instruments as the text won’t come off the label even with the continuous handling of an instrument.  The labels can be provided with white text on black or silver material with black text.

Find out more: Asset Labels - Mini Mark Labels

Dantech also has a full range of ‘traditional’ printed asset marking labels with the schools name, asset number and bar code. Using asset numbering enables the school to maintain a detailed register with an instant view of which equipment is available and where.

View our full asset label range

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

Lessons for Schools in Asset Tracking

While preparing for the new school year ahead many schools will be reviewing their assets and equipment. Sadly during this process many schools will fine missing or damaged items that will need replacing.

While planning assets and equipment for the coming year it make sense to also look at ways to reduce assets being damaged or lost to minimise the cost of future replacement and maximise what are often very tight budgets.

Clear asset identification

A sensible first step is to look for ways to mark all school assets and equipment to clearly identify them as belonging to the school. Such asset marking helps discourage items from being misplaced or stolen, but only as long as the marking is clear and permanent.

Using quality asset labels or identification plates can be extremely useful in this regard plus they also allow for additional information to be associated with the item.

Tracking and tracing assets

By adding a bar code, sequential numbering or QR code for smaller items schools can also track additional key pieces of information including:

·         Who is responsible for each asset

·         Where each asset should be located

·         Condition and maintenance details

·         Lifetime costs associated with the asset

Holding this additional information helps schools maintain proper chains of responsibility, these help to reduce assets being damaged or misappropriated.

The right asset label in the right place

Just as the assets within a school will range in size and type so a different appropriate asset label or plate will be required to mark each item. Schools should consider using a range of asset labels tailored to the assets and equipment needing to be tracked.

Talking to an expert like Dantech can help schools find the right asset labels and marking products for them. Visit ID Asset Labels or call 01354 688 488 for free advice and support.

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. 

Who has the Laptops?

A recent survey by the School of Educational Administration and Management found that the vast majority of UK schools lost equipment every year and that sadly most schools were unable to claim through their insurance for the losses.

School laptops can be a great learning tool, don't let them go missing!

Over 85 percent of the schools asked in a survey stated that they had “lost” something of value belonging to the school and had not immediately been able to account for it.

Many of the bursars and administrators who have the job of trying to locate the missing items stated that they wasted many hours trying to locate items – a further loss to the school if we consider the people resources used up in the search for missing items.

Even worse, some bursars stated that sending messages to teachers asking if they had certain items did not help! One person commented:

 “No one wants to admit that they have taken a couple of laptops or calculators for a lesson 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 schools are seeing the benefits of and introducing asset tracking. It saves time and money and leads to better utilisation of assets because you are able to track maintenance and service records, as well as other important information.

By adding a barcode as part of the asset label, schools can use a simple and quick scanning system to keep track of all their assets. At times when you need to send your assets out of your school premises e.g. for repair, your asset labels will clearly identify your assets other similar items.

Asset tracking software allows schools to:

• track all assets they have
• identify each assets location 
• see who has been allocated each asset
• see when the item was borrowed and when it is due for return
• see when maintenance was last completed and when it should be scheduled next
• highlight the cost and depreciation of each asset

Dantech Experts in Asset Labelling and Security Marking

With a high reputation built over the years on customer satisfaction, Dantech can provide help and advice with your asset marking and labelling requirements. 

Please call us on 01354 688 488 or visit http://www.idassetlabels.co.uk/ for labelling solutions and http://www.idmark.com/ for security marking and identification plates.