Many business owners grow tired of have to replace lost and stolen tools. Tool management software will help business owners keep track of their investments, from simple drills and hammers, to expensive, specialized tools. Inventory control will also help employers to guarantee that tools are in stock, and in good condition, at all times.

Inventory control is the process of tracking all tools in a work area. When inventory control is properly implemented, tools are only taken by the appropriate people, and are returned by the end of the borrower\’s shift. Each tool has its appropriate storage space, and the person who signed out the item will have it in their possession.

Inventory control requires a record of all existing tools. Employers should start by listing all existing tools, including their make, model, manufacturer, and quantity. Then, employers should assign each item a place in the tool crib, and should label or barcode each item. The tool crib should be secured, so that only the appropriate personnel may go in or out, at any time.

Some employers buy software off of the shelf. Before selecting a program, employers must list exactly what they want from their software package. For instance, one employer may want barcode scanning, while another employer may be more focused on purchase and repair orders. Employers may talk to sales associates for advice, or attend trade shows, to have salespeople demonstrate products for them.

Some employers prefer a customized software system. To get the best possible product, employers should involve both financial managers and the people who actually manage inventory. The team should start by creating a flowchart of how tools travel through the business day. Then, the team should list all financial data that they will need from their inventory program, and a matrix of the features they want from their inventory package.

Employers should create a list of good vendors. Then, using either a premade form or a business book template, employers should send out a request for proposal. When companies respond, employers must evaluate the proposals, and pick the top three. For each of the top candidates, employers must test the software, including the quality of the technical support staff. Employees should be involved in the testing process, both for their feedback and their buy-in.

All systems will require periodic audits and training. Employers will need to guarantee that the tools which are signed in are actually present in the crib, and that employees who sign out tools actually have them in their possession. Also, employers will need to guarantee that tools are signed out when they are taken, and that tools are returned as soon as workers are finished with them. If problems are found, employers will have to put training into place, to improve employee compliance.

Each business owner\’s plan for controlling inventory is as unique as the business itself. No inventory package, no matter how sophisticated, will manage a system that is disorganized and never audited. After deciding what they want from their tool management software, business owners should seek out the pre-packaged or customized system that works for their business.

ToolHound offers Tool Management Software and Tool Tracking Software that enables companies to track the issue, transfer assets to various warehouse, jobsite and tool room locations.

ToolHound offers Tool Management Software and Tool Tracking Software that enables companies to track the issue, transfer assets to various warehouse, jobsite and tool room locations.
http://www.toolhound.com

Author Bio: ToolHound offers Tool Management Software and Tool Tracking Software that enables companies to track the issue, transfer assets to various warehouse, jobsite and tool room locations.

Category: Business Management
Keywords: Business, technology, computers, internet, tools, construction, database, control system, management