Source tracking with QR Code

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What is Source Tracking?

Customers today demand traceability of the goods they buy.  Commonly termed  Source Tracking, the idea is that the buyer should be able to find the source data of the goods they buy in the shop.

How is it done?

There are many ways to do that. One way is using block-chain system to add every transactional data into a immutable data repository — effective but a little elaborate if not too expensive.

QR codes offer a versatile and powerful solution that enhances traceability, improves efficiency, and saves costs. QR Codes offer both uniqueness, authenticity at almost negligible cost.  Simply using a smartphone App, generate QR Code and fix it to the product. This is called source tagging or tagging at the source.

As the goods move through the supply chain, workers scan the QR code fixed on each item and in that process creates logistical trail for the item — all records are retained and thus provides the traceability for the buyer.

Benefits

Enhanced Traceability

QR codes enable accurate and detailed tracking of products from origin to distribution.

Real-time Inventory Visibility

As the QR Code is scanned in the App, inventory information is updated in real-time. With enhanced accuracy of the data, inventory can optimized in real time.

Efficient Product Recall

QR codes facilitate swift identification and targeted response during product recalls — minimizing the impact on the supply chain and preserving customer trust.

Minimal Infrastructure Investment

QR codes require minimal infrastructure investment, utilizing existing smartphones for scanning.  If you use INDTRAC QR App, you can generate the QR code using the same app. Businesses can achieve cost savings more than 60% compared to other source-tracking methods, significantly reducing operational expenses.

In Summary

QR codes offer unmatched advantages in source-tracking within the supply chain, adding powerful quantitative metrics. With enhanced traceability, real-time inventory management, efficient product recall processes, and substantial cost savings, businesses can optimize their operations and gain a competitive edge.

Call us today and usher in hassle-free QR Code based traceability to your supply chain at the lowest cost.

How to track asset states digitally

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Manage assets from your phone

Recently we met a factory floor shop manager. We asked how he keeps track of so many equipment and instruments. Does he use any system to identify and track them?

He said in his mind he knows where each asset on the floor, is and since they are all inside the workshop area, he knows he can track any asset without much difficulty.

We asked what are the typical lifecycle states of each equipment and how he keeps track of which asset is in at what stage? He had a little difficulty in explaining that workshop maintains a book and whenever an asset is decommissioned or in service, an entry is made in the book.

Do you see any issue with the way assets are managed?

Obviously there is no digital inventorization of the workshop assets. Nor the manager can know if any asset is taken out of the floor or if an asset has returned after service in last few hours unless he manually searches.

You obviously can do better.

All assets can be digitally tracked with a simple QR Code. Added advantage is no need to keep books manually.

INDTRAC App lets you define your asset life cycle stages.

Let’s assume almost all assets on the floor, go through the following stages:

  1. Check-in
  2. In use
  3. In-service
  4. Decommissioned

In INDTRAC App, go to Admin -> Workflow States. Click Create

In the Add Workflow States, Add Check-in as Name and Asset ready for Provisioning as Description. Click Submit. Create other states likewise.

Now when you scan the Asset’s QR Code to update location, App will prompt to pick the Workflow States too.

In the Manage Asset tab, you can view the current state of any asset by selecting the asset from the list (after search) and clicking Current Location button.

Location History shows past locations and states that the asset has undergone.

As you can see, with INDTRAC App, entire asset tracking can be done digitally without wasting time in manual record keeping since the App itself now keeps the record. Moreover you do not need anything else other than the INDTRAC QR App to make this transformation.

  Start your digital transformation journey with INDTRAC QR App alone.

How QR Code helps small businesses in efficiently managing assets

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App based asset trackingIn small businesses capital good and assets are major investments. Managing them efficiently should therefore be of paramount importance. Paper-based way of asset tracking and record keeping is time-consuming if not error-prone and costly.
Using QR Code can make the process simple, fast and entirely digital. It can streamline processes, improve worker productivity, enhance asset traceability, ensure accurate record keeping and importantly deliver cost reduction due to higher asset utilization and reduced worker downtime.

In a typical case, the asset manager uses a smartphone App to generate QR Code for each asset. He/She prints them and fixes each QR code on respective asset. Now workers start using the App to update current status. The Asset manager can track all assets from his smartphone from anywhere in real-time.

In a recent survey, organizations acknowledged the challenges they faced in maintaining accurate asset records. QR code-based digital asset tracking systems alleviate these issues by automating the data capture process. Every time an asset is scanned, relevant information such as location, maintenance history, and user details are recorded digitally, ensuring a comprehensive and reliable record-keeping system. This accuracy not only saves time but also improves overall data integrity.

A study claimed that businesses can reduce asset loss by up to 50% through effective tracking and management.

In summary,

  1. One can  create, print, label and track existing assets using QR codes at a marginal cost of RFID based system.
  2. QR Codes are extremely convenient as they can be accessed and generated through mobile App
  3. QR Codes are a lot more resilient and flexible compared to bar codes.
  4. App can help one to customize alerts / notifications to track asset check-in / check-outs.
  5. QR code also help one to track asset service dates and asset service renewal dates using real-time App notifications.
  6. One major benefit is that using QR Code, the organization can easily monitor asset’s condition digitally throughout the asset’s life. With asset audit becoming entirely digital, business’s ability to plan ahead for future procurement becomes so much easier.

INDTRAC QR Code App helps businesses track their assets digitally with QR Code alone.

QR Code Asset Tracking App launched

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INDTRAQ QR Code android App for Asset tracking is now available. If you are a small business owner and want a simple solution to track your assets, we request you to try our QR Code App. No credit card is required for registration. Simply download the App and install in your android phone.

 

Easy to Use

After installing the App, follow the link to register your site. Once site is ready and live, which typically takes about twenty-four hours, you can login to the App.  By default you are the Admin of your site.

Once you login, add your assets, create unique QR code for each asset, download the QR code in your Google Drive. Print and fix it on the asset.  Now configure your site in the Admin console. Add location tags for each unique location your assets are expected to be. Add process work flow steps.

Now invite your users and let them start tracking the assets or updating the asset status.

 

 

Use for free

Our free plan is limited to 10 assets and 5 users. If you need to use it for more assets, please call us to explore our premium plans. And please do not forget to share your feedback with us. If you like the App, please rate us 5 star in Capterra and G2

Product Launch Announcement

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In a few days, INDTRAC QR Code would be available for you to try. What is it? It is an intuitive QR-code App for asset tracking.

How is it different?

  1. This App is all that you need. No other software or hardware needed. No special hardware like RFID readers are required, which means you do not need to budget for time-consuming in-location installation. Just download, add your assets and start tracking.
  2. In most QR Code App,  only QR code scanner is provided. For generating QR Code you have to request in some other page.  With this App, you have both scanner and generator. Moreover there is no permission to be requested. Use the App alone to generate and download the QR Code. Print it anywhere and on any material suitable for your use.
  3. App is designed for self-provisioning. So you alone can provision the App for all your assets. Invite your users and see all your assets’ movement inside your App. For extensive product features, please see the brochure

   Quite Importantly, trial is free, and no credit card is required!

What is RTLS? – This is what ChatGPT says!

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OpenAI ChatGPT logoChatGPT is making a lot of waves. So I thought why not try ChatGPT to answer some basics about RTLS. Here are some excerpts, a little lengthy for my comfort but to be frank, composition and style are comparable to any good marketing content!

Question : What is RTLS?

ChatGPT :

Real-Time Location Systems (RTLS) are a set of technologies and systems that are used to track and monitor the location of people, assets, and equipment in real-time. RTLS typically use a combination of technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), WiFi, Bluetooth, and GPS to determine the location of a specific item or person. The data from RTLS is then used to improve operational efficiency, increase safety and security, and provide real-time data to support decision making.

There are several different types of RTLS, including:

  • Active RTLS: which use active tags that actively transmit their location to a reader or a network of readers.
  • Passive RTLS: which use passive tags that only transmit their location when prompted by a reader.
  • Hybrid RTLS: which combine active and passive tags in order to take advantage of the strengths of both types of tags.

RTLS technology is widely used in various industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, retail, and logistics, among others. It can be used for tasks such as tracking inventory, monitoring the location of employees, and tracking the location of vehicles and equipment.

Question : What would a good RTLS for healthcare do?

ChatGPT :

A Real-Time Location System (RTLS) for healthcare would be designed to track and monitor the location of people, assets, and equipment in a healthcare setting, in real-time. The specific functionality of an RTLS for healthcare can vary depending on the specific needs of the healthcare organization, but some common uses include:

  1. Asset tracking: RTLS can be used to track the location and movement of medical equipment, such as wheelchairs and beds, as well as high-value assets like surgical instruments. This can help to improve equipment utilization and reduce the time and effort required to locate equipment.
  2. Staff tracking: RTLS can be used to track the location of nurses, doctors, and other staff members, which can help to improve communication, collaboration, and patient care.
  3. Patient tracking: RTLS can be used to track the location of patients, including those in critical care, which can help to improve patient safety and reduce the risk of errors.
  4. Environmental monitoring: RTLS can be used to monitor the environment, such as temperature, humidity, and air pressure, to ensure that the conditions are appropriate for patients and equipment.
  5. Safety and security: RTLS can be used to monitor the location of staff, patients and visitors in the facility, to ensure that everyone is safe and secure, and to respond quickly in case of emergency.

It’s important to note that RTLS technology is not a standalone solution and it’s often integrated with other technologies such as IoT, Wireless and Cloud computing to achieve the best results.

RTLS helps hospitals to reduce human error

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Healthcare Industry is constantly upgrading technologies to improve service predictability and reduce cost. One of the trends that we see this year is more pronounced use of automated data capture system instead of manual form filling. There are many benefits for sure. Here are some:

  • it enables data capture consistency
  • it helps in reduction of human error in data capture
  • it frees up the nurses’ time for more important patient-care

Important thing is that these can be integrated with RTLS. In other words RTLS not only helps hospitals to keep tab on all their expensive assets, it also can help a hospital to streamline workflow management  using IOT-enabled identity cards, asset tags and patient tags.

Healthcare IT News posted an article this month. Quoting the article,

It often can be time-consuming and impacted by human error when healthcare staff are left to juggle the needs of their patients and the administrative requirements of manual documentation. RTLS leverages IoT-enabled badges to automate data collection, providing accurate insights while enhancing the patient care experience.

In 2023, I expect more healthcare organizations will use these badges to collect data enterprise wide to gain comprehensive real-time insights on equipment utilization, clinical workflows, patient/staff interactions and safety compliance to reduce operational bottlenecks, increase efficiency and improve the patient experience.

INDTRAC can help you choose the right technology, instruments and implement customized workflow management using RTLS.