Asset Management

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Choosing The Right Asset Tracking Solution

Many companies literally have assets accounting to thousands within the firm that requires tracking; this is because if a business does not correctly track their assets, this results to substantial financial losses.

Whereas traditional inventory provide you with information particularly on the number of assets your company has, generally it does not address those essential information attached to that particular asset, like location, maintenance, cost and utilization.

An implementation of an appropriate asset tracking solution within your firm allows you to efficiently track assets so that an employee for instance will know to locate a specific asset should it requires a maintenance confirmation, how old it is, determine its value depreciation as well as its maintenance cost.

An asset tracking solution can be hand-held based or PC and used to manage and track a companys assets. These assets can either be non-fixed or fixed and identified with a label that contains a distinctive bar code or number.

Asset barcode labels are efficient particularly when performing an audit. Benefits of asset tracking solutions generally include:

Track asset by location, building, supplier, user etc. Determine what your business has as well as that client or employee has them.

Enable you to calculate asset depreciation easily.

Obtain comprehensive reports.

Determine asset costs.

Reduce expenses because you know what you have therefore you will not buy the same items.

Spend lesser time looking for needed equipment.

Reduces items unreturned or lost.

Reduces borrowing with no permission.

Operate with a much tighter budget but with much better service

Asset tracking solution packages today are available with convenient import tools that gets you started on a simple inventory system quickly.

Types of asset tracking solutions:

1. Software-based asset computer tracking. For a tracking to start, a software is set up into you the hard drive of your computer, then it dials unto a central monitoring station on a specific schedule by means of an IP connection or modem so that if your computer is accounted stolen or lost, it is identified in a protected database in order that next time this computer calls in, its whereabouts is efficiently tracked.

2. Software tracking

By means of monitoring license software and license contracts compliance, organizations can successfully manage their software investment at the same time avoiding penalties and fines associated with non-compliance.

3. Barcode Systems

Generally this incorporates barcode tags with readers like handheld scanners, barcode wands and PDAs. These systems efficiently combine maintenance and valuation scheduling, location-centric asset tracking and other essential functions.

4. GPS Solutions

This uses a two-way satellite technology, capable on locating asset trailers and vehicles.

5. Proximity tagging

This is linked to access system control that helps to discourage theft, however should a certain asset disappear, this system can quickly track its location.

Here are features to look for when selecting the right asset tracking solution:

1. Navigation

This section covers the interfaces layout and design, including ease of access to principal program functions, data entry and general operation, thereby providing you with a general idea of how a user could easily get the system up and running.

2. Management Features

This segment recognizes how many books can be supported, available depreciation methods, asset editing utility and many other capabilities including mass edits, splitting assets and dispositions.

Also, whether the system supports barcode scanning or not, is addressed.

3. Integration

This segment identifies the ability of the system to share information with GL programs, tax software and supplementary accounting systems.

4. Reporting

Look for a system with reporting functions, including report and customization writer features and support for a variety of IRS schedules and forms.

5. Help and support

Look for a system with built-in help utilities as well as gauges support options available such as regular updates.

Determine whether these are already incorporated with the system license or does it entail additional purchase.

Without asset tracking solution, assets maintenance costs can not be determined, therefore you have practically no reference how much your assets are costing to run your business as well as your maintenance staff has no efficient record of work previously carried out that could assist them to fix a concern inexpensively.

Source: Free Articles

Autor: infocus

The Importance of Timely and Valuable Asset Management Solutions

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The need for effective and efficient asset management has given way to a range of asset management solutions. The assets of a company all play significant roles in the achievement of corporate goals, and therefore must be utilized and managed optimally. Asset management in the modern age has become all the more critical, seeing that technological and information changes have shifted the way industry managers and company leaders make vital decisions.

The core of industry asset management

Any organization or industry is held together by assets, both tangible and intangible. The assets of a business can range from the simple, like a piece of furniture, to the more complex and expensive, as in a transport system. The company personnel or human resources can be counted as assets as well.

Intangible assets can include copyrights and patents, as well the digital systems and information circulating within the business and across units. In asset management, the assets of an industry must be made to function optimally and to be maintained in such a manner that decreases costs and maximizes value.

When assets become mismanaged, the industry could suffer seriously. From the equipment to the personnel, the assets and resources of the business must be optimized for better productivity and value. In any organization, knowing the depreciation and the value of fixed assets is important, just as understanding how the work flow systems can be best applied by the employees or the organization personnel.

Simply put, assets should be viewed as profit sources, and it is important for any industry to be able to tap into the money-making potentials of assets. Managers should be able to identify assets from liabilities so as to improve on capital.

The central role of asset management systems

These solutions, or otherwise termed as asset management services, all serve to assist organizations in identifying the assets that they possess and effectively calculate the value that they are able to provide for the company. Presently, these solutions are available in software form, and are available from a host of asset management services providers.

These services are geared towards the effective organization of various asset types, from production and facilities to transportation and human resources. Both the hardware and software resources must be given due importance, seeing that information technology within the company also needs due focus. These management tools also aim to analyze the depreciation trends of fixed assets so as to help industry managers in valuable decision making.

Physical assets need to be estimated according to its depreciation value, and to arrive at a conclusion whether to reinstate or repair the physical asset, whichever is more cost-effective.

What to look for in the best asset management services

There are wide ranging asset management systems offered by vendors presently. It is important therefore to find the one model well-suited to the needs of your company or organization. Asset management can be narrowed down to specific types like investment management, IT asset management, digital asset management, and fixed assets management.

A good asset management system should be able to enhance assets return and minimize costs of operation and maintenance, as well as calculate risk. It should also promote labor efficiency and increase output efficiency. It must also provide information on how to effectively track hardware and software assets and to evaluate their functions both in the short-term and long-term sense.

The realm of business has become more competitive than ever, and with this knowledge, organizations need to keep pace with global competition and shifts in technology through timely and valuable asset management solutions.

What Can You Learn In An Asset Management Training?

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The first thing that you will learn is that assets also have lifecycles. It has four stages that all different firms consider. It starts with planning and then procurement. This includes considering which or what to procure, order, receive, and test. The thing is to manage daily business operations in order to take advantage of productivity. If you want to have balanced returns, you need to know the operation costs of the company and compare it with the existing assets and profits

. And the last is ensuring the accurate payment of taxes, as well as considering amortization, depreciation, and other related costs.

Through asset management training, you will also learn to identify the right tools to use in asset management. Remember that the tools are simply elements to make asset management feasible. Each company and organization is unique and it has its own objectives and needs and so the processes used in asset management may also differ.

By definition, asset management is all about managing assets that were invested by different sectors. So if you want to become an asset management advisor or part of the team, you must undergo proper training and you should also have enough experience in order to be considered as one of the best in your chosen field.

You will learn from your training that assets consist of chairs, desks, factory equipments, computers, and buildings. You need to track all these assets but aside from that, it is also your responsibility to manage the demand for such accounts and resources for depreciation and asset values. By organizing all these pieces of information, you can have all the vital data needed by the company.

After the training, you can already espouse proper and timely management, tracking and asset disposal, and maintenance; and you can do this for corporations, companies, and even individuals. As an asset management advisor, you can help in managing the asset-loss risks through time. This is a very important aspect both for individuals and businesses. It can also help in increasing sales figures and handling costs over time. You can now maximize the utilization of financial assets.

If you want to become an expert or at least a knowledgeable person in asset management, you must get the proper training. Only through training can you gain knowledge and experience so that when you’re already out in the real world of business , you can perform at your best. So what are you waiting for? Be part of the asset management team or department and secure the right training.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

Author:

Sandra Stammberger owns and operates http://www.assetmanagementunited.com/assetmanagementtraining.html - Asset Management Training

Asset Management FAQs

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Although asset management has been around for some time now, its popularity among industries has only been apparent in the last few years. People do have quite a number of questions regarding asset management especially if they are interested in employing the services of asset management companies.

What is asset management?

Asset management refers to the method that a company or a specialized asset management firm uses to track all fixed assets such as equipment, chairs, tables, computers and technology and even building which are owned by a company or an individual. The tracking of he physical location of these assets, the ways which can be used to manage these assets, and accounting for amortizations, depreciation values and future resale values of these assets are also part of asset management.

How can asset management be an affective financial tool?

Asset management makes it easier and more efficient to manage the assets owned by the company or the individual and looks into ways of investing these assets for added returns. Collective investment schemes, pension funds, private banking and wealth management are some of the ways which handle assets that make asset management more efficient and increase one's assets.

What are the processes involved in asset management?

Asset management involves a number of processes which are all designed to increase the productivity of companies or individuals. Asset management services include planning, procurement, accounting for daily operating costs through disposal; tracking physical location of these assets; and accounting tasks such as amortization and depreciation. Asset management also establishes contact with suppliers which make it easier for companies to contact these suppliers for service, warranties and replacement.

Why is asset management useful?

When one keeps track of important information regarding one's assets, assets may be properly accounted for, from whom these were purchased from; who uses these assets, where these assets are located, the suppliers to contact for support, and even lease expirations and the right disposal period may provide the basis for managing and optimizing the assets of the companies or the individuals.

Asset Management provides detailed information on Asset Management, Asset Management Software, Asset Management System, Digital Asset Management and more. Asset Management is affiliated with Offshore Asset Protection.

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