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.

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.

When Portable Electronic Equipment Goes Missing

Electronic equipment is everywhere, from the whiteboard to the iPod and the laptop to the tablet.  Inevitably, with all this digital equipment around, items can and do go missing.

Mostly electronic equipment goes missing by mistake only a small proportion are actually stolen. Often items are simply left in the wrong location or not returned when they should be.

So how can you minimise and prevent all this equipment getting lost?

There is only one solution and that is to mark all valuable equipment in a secure way which also identifies the item and its place of origin – this will also acts as a theft deterrent.

However, this is not as simple as it seems. Tablets and laptops are invariably made of either aluminium or hard plastic with a cured paint to make the machine hard and scratchproof. As you can imagine putting identification marks on this type of equipment is difficult, because you simply can’t 'etch' anything into aluminium or hard plastic.

One way out of this dilemma is to use ID TRAKAPLATES which, because of the thickness and strong adhesive that they use, are near-impossible to remove.

An alternative approach is use ID Silver Mark labels. These labels are precision cut stencils which can include your details. The identification labels are then painted with UV ink to show up should the label be removed.

Why choose Dantech identification 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, identification 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.

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.

Keeping Track of Tablets

When a tablet goes missing, how do you know which is which?

There are two issues relating to the increased use of tablets in the workplace. One is that the rate as which tablet use is increasing and second the number of times these items are mislaid, lost or stolen.

By their nature small and portable equipment can be easily lost or mislaid. In reality only a tiny minority of tablet computers may actually be stolen.

What happens is that a person in the company legitimately is loaned a tablet, but then subsequently this is lost or becomes hard to locate, so the employee borrows another tablet.

Does the company have accurate records of which item has been lost and are sufficient security markings in place for each tablet to aid recovery of the lost item? Should this be a reoccurring situation would you be able to trace the source back to an employee or employees i.e. the same employee losing equipment or different employees are mislaying items.

Problems security marking tablets

Tablets are invariably made of either aluminium or hard plastic with a cured paint to make it hard and scratch-proof. This makes putting identification marks on the tablet computers difficult, because you simply can’t 'etch' anything into aluminium or hard plastics as they do not have a porous surface.

One security marking solution is to use an aluminium trakaplate which, because of the thickness and strong adhesive that they use, are near impossible to remove. In fact, the only way you could get such an identification label off would be to lever it off with a screwdriver – which is extremely hard to do.

An alternative product is ID Silver Mark labels. These security labels are precision cut stencils which can include your company name. The labels are then painted with UV ink to provide a pertinent security marking that lasts even if the label is removed.

If you have tablets or similar objects of value in your organisation investing in quality security marking will ensure you can track, trace and protect these valuable assets.

For free and unbiased help and advice on selecting the best security marking or asset labelling solutions call Dantech on 01354 688 488 or visit www.idmark.com

Why use Asset Labels?

All organisations have a number of valuable assets that need to be managed and protected. One of the best ways to due this is by using asset labels or tags. 

By attaching a individually numbered or barcoded asset label to each item you can easily keep track of each item using asset management software. The asset numbers are stored in an asset register which allows you to track and monitor all your equipment condition, location and value.

Key reasons for using asset labels

Some of the key reasons for using asset labels include:

• Asset labels deter thieves. Potential thieves will be able to see that you track and monitor your equipment and therefore are less likely to risk stealing it.
• Easy equipment audits. Barcode labels and asset tracking software makes it quick and easy to do an asset audit.
• Locate assets quickly. Avoid wasting company time looking for misplaced assets and equipment or, worse, replacing equipment only to find out later that you had the items all along but couldn't locate it.
• Easily manage assets on loan. If you have equipment that you loan out, using asset labels makes co-ordinating very simple. At any time the co-ordinator will know where an item is and also how many items are available.
• Tell assets apart. If you have many identical looking items, it can be difficult trying to keep track of each individual item. This can be a problem with, for example, school equipment such as musical instruments. Using asset labels with a number will simplify this process.
• Proof of ownership. It's important to remember that some insurance companies insist on seeing proof of ownership of business items. An asset register can provide this.

Asset label benefits

• Asset labels are an investment which can save your company money in the short and long term. You'll waste less time and money on looking for equipment and replacing items that are lost or stolen.
• Asset labels prevent theft and item swapping. Labels are available which leave a VOID mark if removed, making stolen or swapped goods pretty much useless in terms of being sold on.
• Asset labels are suitable for all types of assets and equipment in all sectors. This includes schools, private companies, government organizations, manufacturing plants and warehouses.
• Asset labels include company name and can also include with your company's logo, making your equipment instantly recognisable.

Dantech is a leading provider of asset labels. Our knowledge is extensive and our customers include companies, schools and universities, health sector organizations, the police, local and central governments, as well as manufacturing plants and warehouses. Call 01354 688 488 or visit http://www.idassetlabels.co.uk for more information.

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.