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Efficient equipment management in the trade
Your key to productivity and cost efficiency
The modern trades industry is faced with the challenge of efficiently managing a growing number of machines, tools and other work equipment. Well-organised equipment management is therefore crucial to the success of any trades business. In this article, we will show you how you can increase your productivity, reduce costs and improve occupational safety through strategic and digital equipment management.
Why is effective equipment management essential?
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Cost efficiency: Precise equipment management allows you to avoid unnecessary expenditure on replacements and repairs. Complete documentation enables you to track the condition and whereabouts of your devices at any time.
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Increased productivity: Well-organised equipment management saves valuable working time. Your employees always know where the tools they need are and can use them without delay.
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Longer equipment service life: Regular maintenance and inspections increase the service life of your equipment. Systematic management allows you to keep an eye on maintenance intervals and react to wear and tear at an early stage.
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Increased safety: Precise control over the condition of the equipment contributes to occupational safety and reduces the risk of accidents at work.
Strategies for optimised equipment management
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Digital inventory list: The first step is to digitise your inventory. Use specialised software to record and manage all devices. A centralised, cloud-based system enables access from anywhere and ensures that the database is always up to date.
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Clear labelling: Each device should be provided with a barcode, QR code or RFID tag. This labelling makes it much easier to identify and track the devices.
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Regular maintenance and inspection: Implement a maintenance schedule and use software solutions that remind you of upcoming maintenance and document it. This will ensure that your devices are always ready for use.
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Define responsibilities: Assign specific devices to fixed employees or teams. This increases accountability and ensures more careful handling of work equipment.
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Use of mobile devices: With mobile apps, your employees can also access the inventory system on site at any time. This is particularly helpful when devices are used at different locations.
Advantages of digital equipment management
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Real-time tracking: With a cloud-based solution, you can monitor the location and status of your devices in real time. This makes scheduling easier and avoids unnecessary downtime.
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Ease of use: An intuitive user interface and mobile access options make using the software simple and efficient for all employees.
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Integration and customisability: Modern software solutions offer flexible customisation options and can be easily integrated into existing systems. Information such as operating instructions, maintenance histories and performance data can be stored directly.
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Security and data protection: Cloud-based solutions ensure secure storage and transmission of your data. Providers take care of the necessary infrastructure and data backup.
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Sustainability and resource conservation: Efficient equipment management supports the responsible use of resources and contributes to the sustainability of your company.
With our tracking extension, UnTouch enables real-time tracking. The data is transmitted in encrypted form and is stored on a server in Germany.
Implementation of the equipment management
Step-by-step instructions
- Needs assessment: Before you start implementing a equipment management solution, you should carry out a thorough analysis of your current processes and needs. Which devices need to be managed? How often and in what contexts are they used? What specific challenges does your company face?
- Selecting the right software: There are numerous software solutions for equipment management, each with different functions and benefits. Choose the software that suits your company's specific requirements. Pay attention to user-friendliness, customisability and the range of functions offered.
- Employee training: New software can only be effective if your employees know how to use it. Provide training and workshops to ensure that everyone involved is familiar with the new processes and software.
- Inventory and labelling: Create a complete inventory of all devices. Each device should be clearly labelled and included in the digital inventory system. Use barcodes, QR codes or RFID tags for this.
- Continuous monitoring and maintenance: Ensure that all devices are regularly serviced and checked. Use the software to create maintenance schedules and set up automatic reminders. Document every maintenance and defect in the system.
- Feedback and optimisation: Have your employees provide regular feedback on the new equipment management. Use this feedback to optimise processes and continuously improve the use of the software.
Instead of barcodes, QR codes or RFID tags, UnTouch relies on NFC technology - placed in our UnTouch Tool and Person Tags. Depending on the desired material, these are not only particularly robust but also battery-free and therefore completely maintenance-free.
Initial situation
Before the new software was introduced, devices were recorded manually in Excel spreadsheets. Maintenance was carried out sporadically, leading to frequent equipment breakdowns and high repair costs. There was no clear responsibility for the devices, which led to confusion and loss of time and impaired productivity.
Implementation process
After a thorough needs analysis, user-friendly software was selected. All employees were trained in the use of the new software. Each device was given a QR code to enable quick identification and activity tracking. A digital maintenance schedule was created and automatic reminders were set up.
Results
After six months, there was a clear improvement. Device failures were reduced by 30% and repair costs fell by 25%. Employees were able to find equipment more quickly and were always aware of its status and availability. Operational productivity increased by 20% as less time was spent searching for tools and equipment.
Future developments in equipment management
Technology is constantly evolving, and there are also exciting new trends and developments in the field of equipment management.
- IoT integration: The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) enables even more precise monitoring and management of devices. Sensors on the devices can monitor their status in real time and automatically send data to the central system. This allows maintenance to be planned even more predictively and downtimes to be further minimised.
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning: AI and machine learning offer the potential to further optimise equipment management. By analysing large amounts of data, algorithms can make predictions about the condition and service life of devices. This enables proactive maintenance strategies and even more efficient use of resources.
- Augmented reality (AR): AR technologies can support maintenance and repair work by projecting detailed instructions and real-time information directly into the technician's field of vision. This shortens repair times and reduces the error rate.
Conclusion
Professional and digital equiment management is a decisive factor for efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the trade. By using modern software solutions, you can optimise your work processes, reduce costs and extend the service life of your equipment. Invest in comprehensive equipment management and lay the foundations for the long-term success of your trade business. With the right strategy and the right tools, you always have your equipment under control - and can concentrate on the essentials: the successful realisation of your trade projects. Continuously adapting and improving your equipment management processes will help you to meet the ever-changing demands of the market and ensure your competitiveness.
Experience the use cases of UnTouch
The management of the borrowing and return of machinery, tools, equipment, accessories and keys is to be regulated in many industries. Regardless of the purpose of the business, the movements of assets (work equipment) must be managed and tracked. The UnTouch software is universally applicable for this purpose.
