Small Tool Tagging and Tracking

Does your company have a valuable number of small tools? If the answer is yes then you will understand how difficult it is to keep track of them. By their nature small tools are highly vulnerable to being lost or stolen to it’s very important to have a good tracking system in place.

What you need is to be able to permanently mark each tool in such a way that it can quickly matched up with a database containing all the key data about that tool including:

• When it was purchased, how much and who from
• Who has responsibility for it
• Location it should be
• Maintenance history

By doing this you then quickly determine who is accountable for each item and ensure tools are being returned to their correct location.

So how can you get enough information in a small enough label to mark these small tools?

The solution is to use QR or Data Matrix codes, by adding these to a small ID label you can quickly and easily keep track of all your small tools.

What are Data Matrix codes?

Data Matrix code is a 2D type of code used mostly by industry for marking small parts due to its small size coupled with its high reliability.

These 2D codes can be read from any angle and even if the code image is damage by up to as much as 30% it can still be read.

Small and Tough

Data Matrix Labels

As well as being small your data matrix labels need to be made from a hard wearing material so they can withstand daily use coupled with a very strong adhesive so they stay put and can’t be easily removed.

Dantech QR code or Data Matrix labels have the code laser engraved into a Acrylate material which will withstand harsh environments, chemicals, abrasion and heat. This makes these ID labels suitable even for use with surgical instruments. Dantech also print Data Matrix code labels on aluminium foil, which can withstand a High temperature resistance, up to 150ºC short term, and down to - 40ºC.

Dantech are experts in asset marking and labelling solutions for business, industry and other organisations and assist customers daily to find the right asset labelling or marking solutions.

For more information visit http://www.idassetlabels.co.uk/asset-labels/datamatrix-asset-labels.html.

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. 

Managing Musical Instruments on Loan

If you have musical instruments on loan you will be aware that keeping track of who has got which instrument can be a challenge. As these are valuable assets to replace its important to have clear details of who has which item so they can be easily located.

In addition any asset marking and tracking system you use needs to also act as a theft deterrent.

Quite often the problem that arises is one of identity. Which of the three clarinets are you holding?  How can you tell?

One way of solving this problem is by using asset identification Mini Mark labels.  These are ideal for labelling musical instruments as they offer a clear way to identify and track equipment safely. They are particularly hard wearing as the text won’t come off the asset label even with regular handling.

With Mini Mark labels the required information is engraved into the acrylate label material which gives a permanent high contrast, durable and tamper proof image, suitable for all environments.

These small asset labels stick easily to musical instruments using the high performance adhesive, which is suitable for almost all surfaces and will give high initial adhesion.

In this way the image cannot be ‘wiped off’ – for it is permanently engraved into the asset label.  Any attempt to tamper with the label is evident and indeed the label will fragment if removal is attempted.

Mini Mark labels can be provided with white text on black or silver material with black text.

Why choose Dantech Mini Mark Asset labels

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 requirements contact Dantech on 01354 688 488 for expert and unbiased help and advice.