Tool Tracking: Get Organized

Those golden days of heading to a job with your tool belt and a few thousand bucks of power equipment in the pickup are over. Between the tools, the tablets, and the lasers, tool investments are at an all-time high for contractors — as you well know. You also know it’s a pain in the ass trying to keep track of the tools and equipment used on various jobs, and the ever-increasing expense of those tools just multiplies the stress.  Tool tracking is essential and being organized is essential.

What you may not know is, according to our tool tracking survey, 50% of contractors have given up tracking small tools and equipment at all.

What?

Yep. Half of contractors have completely abandoned trying to track tools. (And the other half are frustrated.) This is an incredibly costly method (or lack thereof), and the most maddening part is, it doesn’t have to be this way. Tool tracking doesn’t have to be a pain in the ass, and “Where the hell are my tools?” doesn’t have to be your daily mantra.

But pep talks won’t find the tools, so you have to start somewhere. Here’s where:

Get Organized

1. Know what you currently have.

The first step is to compile a current inventory of all tools and equipment. How are you going to track it if you don’t even know you have it? When you know what you already own, you’ll buy fewer duplicates, saving you money – and sanity.

2. Know where it currently is.

Obviously, tools and equipment move in the field – that’s part of what makes tracking them a challenge. But look at the list of what you currently own, and answer the question: right now, where is it?

3. Know how long you’ve had it.

You know all that equipment isn’t built to last forever. It’s important to know how long you’ve owned something so you can anticipate needed maintenance or replacement, and also be sure your equipment is lasting as long as it should.

Taking these first three tool tracking steps and getting organized is going to take effort, but with modern technology, it is completely do-able. (And by modern technology, we do not mean the old desktop PC in the back office.) Whether you’re trying to build your own process or evaluating a tool tracking system, be sure it starts with getting organized. Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to tool tracking (or not tracking). Take advantage of the technology available to make your life simpler – and your bottom line healthier.

To learn more about tool tracking technology that helps you easily organize your tool inventory, visit www.sharemytoolbox.com/tool-tracking.