If you are an IT asset manager or agent, you must know that asset tracking is key to the job. However, when you work with a large number of computers, checking each one manually becomes an impossible task. But that’s easily solved with automated asset tracking.
The goal here is to find a way to monitor your devices and keep them reporting. Of course, you’ll need to have a hardware inventory first – and if you don’t already, you can build an IT asset inventory in just 24 hours!
Once that’s settled, the next step is to have all the devices automatically reporting to you. How? With an asset tracking solution. And that's where the InvGate Asset Management’s Agent really shines.
The Agent is the fastest and simplest way to build your hardware inventory and get your computers reporting to your InvGate Asset Management instance. Once installed on the IT assets, it will provide you with all the data you need to manage them.
In this post, we'll cover what asset tracking is, how to automate it, and how it can impact your business. We will also explain how to easily install InvGate Asset Management's Agent. Ready to ditch your excel spreadsheets and enhance your asset visibility? Let’s go!
What is asset tracking?
Asset tracking refers to the process of monitoring an asset's location, status, and condition in real time.
By using asset tracking tags with unique identifiers (like barcodes or RFID tags), companies can scan, record, and maintain asset data to better manage inventory and operations. This process helps organizations keep track of their assets, ensuring they are being used effectively and preventing loss or theft.
Remote asset tracking extends this concept, allowing organizations to monitor assets that are distributed across different locations or even in the field. With the help of GPS, IoT, and other tracking technologies, businesses can gather data about their assets from virtually anywhere, making sure that they remain secure and functional.
How do asset tags work?
Asset tags are identifiers placed on physical assets to track and manage them efficiently. These tags, which often include barcodes, QR codes, or RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification), store information about the asset, such as serial numbers, purchase date, or location. By scanning the tag, organizations can quickly access asset data, allowing them to maintain an updated inventory and monitor each asset’s status.
The tags play a crucial role in streamlining operations by automating data entry, reducing human errors, and providing real-time visibility of asset location, usage, and condition. They ensure accuracy and improve Asset Lifecycle Management across departments.
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Types of tags to track assets
There are several types of asset tags, each serving different tracking needs. From simple barcodes to advanced RFID tags, companies can choose the type based on their operational requirements and the level of automation they want to achieve.
1. Barcode tags
Barcode tags are the most basic and widely used type. They contain a unique series of numbers or lines that are scanned with a barcode reader.
These tags are inexpensive, easy to produce, and can be used for a variety of assets. However, barcode tags require direct line-of-sight scanning and manual intervention, making them less ideal for complex tracking.
2. QR code tags
QR code tags offer more flexibility than traditional barcodes by storing a significant amount of data in a small space. They are scanned using smartphones or through an online QR code scanner, providing quick access to asset information.
QR codes also offer the advantage of remote access, as users can scan the tags with mobile devices, making them a popular choice for dynamic environments.
3. RFID tags
RFID tags are more advanced than barcodes and QR codes. These tags use radio waves to communicate information to a reader, which can scan the asset without direct line-of-sight, even from a distance. RFID tags come in two types: passive and active.
Passive RFID tags rely on the energy from the scanner to transmit data, while active RFID tags have an internal battery that allows them to transmit data independently. RFID technology is particularly useful for large-scale asset tracking where real-time data is critical.
What is asset automation?
Asset automation refers to the use of technology to manage and maintain an organization's assets with minimal human intervention.
By integrating asset tracking solutions that automate tracking, monitoring, and reporting, businesses can streamline Asset Management processes. This includes automated maintenance scheduling, alerts, and data updates, which improve operational efficiency and asset utilization.
Asset automation provides a centralized platform to handle asset-related tasks like tracking inventory, managing maintenance schedules, and monitoring asset health in real time. This level of automation reduces workload and ensures better control over asset lifecycle management, leading to cost savings and improved decision-making.
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What is automated asset tracking?
Automated asset tracking is the process of using technology to track, monitor, and manage assets without manual input. It leverages tools like RFID tags, GPS, or IoT sensors to gather data on the assets' location, condition, and lifecycle, automatically updating this information in the Asset Management system. This removes the need for manual data entry and regular checks, improving both efficiency and accuracy.
With automated asset tracking, organizations can reduce human error, save time, and ensure that their asset information is always current. This is particularly useful in industries with large inventories, where manually tracking assets would be time-consuming and prone to mistakes.
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What is asset tracking software?
An asset tracking system is a tool that helps organizations monitor the status, location, and condition of their assets.
Asset tracking technologies uses barcodes, RFID, and GPS to automate the process of recording and updating asset data. Asset tracking software enables companies to keep a real-time log of where their assets are, who’s using them, and when they’re due for maintenance.
Many asset tracking systems options also offer automation features. These can automatically alert teams when an asset is due for maintenance, provide real-time status updates, and generate reports without the need for manual input. These capabilities streamline operations and reduce the workload on IT and operations teams, allowing them to focus on other tasks.
There are many Asset Management solutions that can help manage multiple assets, including InvGate Asset Management!
Tracking assets with an agent
The Agent is one of InvGate Asset Management’s key features to provide automated asset tracking, and a great ally to ITAM in general.
There are many advantages of having an Agent installed on your IT assets, and they can be summarized into the following five reasons:
- Monitoring and reporting - The primary function of the Agent is to let you know everything that’s going on with your company’s devices. Any change in hardware or software will be automatically registered in the asset’s profile.
- Time-saving - With the Agent installed on your devices, there’s no need for you to manually review each computer daily since that would be automated. Thus, you have plenty of time to put your time to better use.
- Updating hardware inventory - We already mentioned that the Agent is also helpful in building and keeping up to date your inventory since you can import assets directly to it just by having the agent installed.
- Data accuracy - To err is human. Luckily, the Agent is a piece of software, so it will provide you with accurate information on your devices.
- Alerts - Since the Agent reports in real time, you’ll be able to set alerts that notify you when there’s a relevant change in the devices’ status.
How to install InvGate Asset Management’s Agent on a computer
All this sounds promising, right? Then wait until we tell you how to get things going.
The only thing you need to do to have the Agent up and running is to install it on your organization’s devices. You can do it remotely or from each laptop by using our Agent deployment feature.
If you want to install it manually, you’ll need to go to Settings > Network > Agent deployment. Once you get in there, select the operating system, deployment method, choose where it’s going to report to, and the type of installation (new vs. reinstalled).
Now, bear in mind that the installation mode will depend on the OS. If you are installing the Agent on iOS, you just need to run the terminal, and copy and paste the three commands that will appear on InvGate Asset Management. The first one is to download the agent, the second is to extract the package, and the third is to install it.
On the other hand, to install it on a Windows machine, you have to download an MSI file, open the terminal and fetch the file you just downloaded. Once you found it, you’ll need to copy the command that’s shown on InvGate Asset Management to install it.
Lastly, you can also install it via GPO. You’ll find a quick guide on the Agent deployment section of your instance.
What to do with InvGate Asset Management’s Agent
InvGate Asset Management’s Agent is your gateway to a lot. But since we don’t want you to feel overwhelmed, we listed a couple of next steps you can take to develop your ITAM strategy.
- Create an inventory - If you don’t have one yet, it’s crucial to start by importing assets to your inventory. Once your reporting agents are all included in it, you can customize it – i.e. assigning it to a user or location, or adding custom fields to your devices’ profile.
- Create health rules - Health rules are asset status parameters based on criticality levels. Once configured, you can easily spot modifications in those levels through their change in status.
- Create alerts - These are ideal to keep an eye on certain changes.
- Run and export reports - Reports are a great feature to understand the overall status of your IT inventory, discover behavior patterns, and act upon accurate data. All you need to do is create the filters, apply them to your inventory, and that’s it! You’ll be able to see the snapshot, import it, and even automate it so it’s executed periodically.
- Track IT asset relocation - This specific type of tracking is essential for companies moving hardware from one place to another since you'll be able to monitor their location in real-time.
Bottom line
And that’s a wrap! With InvGate Asset Management’s Agent, automating your asset tracking is easier than ever.
We’ve covered the basics of asset tracking, explained how asset tags like barcodes, QR codes, and RFID help monitor your devices, and highlighted the benefits of automated tracking — such as improved efficiency, real-time updates, and better accuracy.
From installing the Agent to building a complete hardware inventory and setting alerts, you now know how to ditch manual spreadsheets and streamline your IT Asset Management.
Why spend hours manually tracking assets when you can automate everything and focus on what really matters? Try InvGate’s 30-day free trial or book a call with our team and take your Asset Management to the next level!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are asset tags used for?
Asset tags help track and manage assets by providing a unique identifier, like a barcode or RFID, for easy monitoring.
2. What is automated asset tracking?
Automated asset tracking uses technology like RFID or GPS to monitor assets in real-time without manual input.
3. What are the benefits of automated asset tracking?
It improves efficiency, reduces asset loss, and provides real-time visibility into asset location and usage.
4. What types of asset tags are there?
Common types include barcode tags, QR codes, and RFID tags, each serving different tracking needs.
5. How does InvGate Asset Management help with asset tracking?
It offers automated asset tracking, real-time monitoring, and reporting tools to manage assets efficiently.
6. What is asset tracking software?
Asset tracking software is a tool that helps organizations monitor the location, status, and condition of their assets in real time using technologies like barcodes, RFID, and GPS.
