How does your company deal with equipment for technicians? prevent loss etc..

MelbourneMark

I work as a technician with about ~15 other people. We all share and use various sorts of equipment, and different jobs require different types of equipment. The equipment is expensive, some heavy, and most of its calibrated- which is expensive also... So, we cannot all have our own sets of equipment.

Over the years, equipment has been lost/misplaced by technicians. At times, we dont know who has, what equipment in the field..

In a perfect world; the technicians would not lose the stuff, and know what they need to bring etc.. but, thats not reality.

We are thinking of implementing a way to track who has what and where... At first we are going to try the old paper method, but we all know that some of the guys wont fill it out or "forget" to...

Has anyone used a better electronic system? I mentioned perhaps we can use our smart phones to scan the equipment in/out on a daily basis.. But, we likely have ~100 pieces that some are small in size to fix a barcode on, plus we need the ability to print the bar codes..

What works for you?

micci_man

If you have that much I'd think there would be at least 1 person assigning it out and back in to the techs. If they don't turn it back in then some form of action would take place of some form. Back when I was a tech and terminating/splicing fiber we only had a couple kits and 4-5 people that used them. We signed out/in what we needed from 1 individual and if we didn't turn it back in we had to replace it no matter the cost. That makes keeping up with it a little more reasonable for folks.

Keeping track of who got what with paper or electronic is a must. And someone handing it out, not allowing Joe to just go get and and then say he didn't when it's lost.

MelbourneMark

Good points.. But, for our company, we sometimes leave and comeback at very different hours than 9-5 like our office people. So, 1 single person cannot check it in/out.

I would like to add that my question is not for theft...., thats not really a concern.

snipes27

We have some equipment/specialty tools that go out with jobs here at work and they are assigned to a tech each job, when job is complete we know where to look for the tools.

We have a paper system for rush/last minute stuff. But for jobs that are assigned/scheduled in advance we have proprietary computer software that when our tech clears a job/call, it sends a notification to our warehouse to look for that tool/equipment from that designated technician.

If that tech comes back to the shop not during normal office hours we have a spot for it to be returned (that is under 24 camera surveillance) , and then checked in the next morning by our warehouse staff.

micci_man

MelbourneMark wrote: »

Good points.. But, for our company, we sometimes leave and comeback at very different hours than 9-5 like our office people. So, 1 single person cannot check it in/out.

I would like to add that my question is not for theft...., thats not really a concern.

Have it signed in the next morning when the person is there. Still a record of them having it signed to them until signed back in. There really isn't a way of doing it on the honor system without someone verifying things have been returned.

Resinhead

Since you're techs are in and out all hours, how about an active online tracking system. Assign each piece a number, possibly engraving it and listed on a website. Tech grabs it, posts it and reposts when item is returned.

Redaction

I saw these at the Grainger trade show this past March. It might be ideal for you...it's called the "Tick" by Milwaukee Tools. I got a free sample but have not tried it.

Finfinder

MelbourneMark wrote: »

Good points.. But, for our company, we sometimes leave and comeback at very different hours than 9-5 like our office people. So, 1 single person cannot check it in/out.

I would like to add that my question is not for theft...., thats not really a concern.

Its pretty simple sign them in and out. Don't you guys respect each other enough to put the **** back when done using it ?

mustang190

In the Air Force we used the chit system. Worked great for years.

Heatwave

MelbourneMark wrote: »

Good points.. But, for our company, we sometimes leave and comeback at very different hours than 9-5 like our office people. So, 1 single person cannot check it in/out.

I would like to add that my question is not for theft...., thats not really a concern.

Locked Drop Box for return. Not a key for all type...You can put something in, but need key to take it out.
Are you sure that somethings are too small to fix a barcode too ? Besides, bar codes are expensive...
Corp. wont want to give a JOB of doling out equip to someone, expensive once again...

MelbourneMark

Thanks for the advice so far guys.. The "tick" thing only works within a few 100ft. Someone left a cart with ~20k$ of equip on a jobsite in another state. We go back to 99% of the sites at least once a year, so we will likely find it eventually....

Evidently, my company tried the paper write in system in the past with not so good results. We have a new QA guy who is pushing it for ISO certification, so he may be able to enforce it better.
https://www.cheqroom.com

I found this company out, and for 600$ a year, they can track 150items with barcodes. That is something that we might do, or buy our own barcode printer for $500, and download the apps to all of our phones... This way, at least we can track the item down to whomever last scanned it out. BUT, its always difficult for management to enforce the new "rules" on the old-timers at the company... seems like we have a few that dont like change.

micci_man

Well, if the employees won't follow rules and there is no backlash for it, good luck is all that can be said..

Leaving 22k of equipment???? WOW. What makes you think nothing will grow legs within a year and go missing?