Labels
Frequently asked questions regarding asset labels and reader devices.
What are the different labelling options?
There are three methods for producing labels with Trail.
Invest in own printing capability
To build a capability to quickly replace any label or produce labels on the go, it's a good option to invest in own printing infrastructure. With own label printer, the operations are independent from external parties.
Order labels as a service
We're happy to provide labels as a service. When ordering as a service, there's no need to unify all labels but you can combine different label types in the order, such as adhesive labels, cable tie lables or coin labels.
Use existing labels
Sometimes there already are labels on the devices, and it would be practical to utilise those in stead of investing in new. Trail allows using existing labels as links to the item information.
Why is it important to label assets?
Asset labels allow the physical world to be linked to digital information. This makes it possible to achieve the benefits of digital information for the physical world's equipment. Often referred to as equipment tracking, this is specifically digital tracking, the ability to see where the equipment is physically located, what its operational status is, and who is using it.
Asset labels are also a useful way of showing the ownership of equipment to its user. The label communicates that the equipment is being tracked and that its existence is known. Misuse of tracked equipment is significantly lower than misuse of untracked equipment.
Passive or active tags?
In equipment tracking, passive tags are the recommended solution due to their long lifetime and cost-efficiency. Examples of the most popular passive tags are QR codes and barcodes attached to the surface of the equipment. Based on our experience most of the tracking needs regarding equipment can be solved with passive tags allowing customers to keep the label investment reasonable. Even GPS-based tracking can be achieved with passive tags.
QR codes
QR codes offer the simplest and most cost-efficient smart tags for asset tracking. The easy readability with the mobile phone is also one of the key benefits when working with QR codes. At Trail we offer high-quality adhesive QR code labels that endure well in use.
NFC and RFID labels
NFC and RFID labels offer the scanning possibility through bluetooth. This technology is familiar to many from public transportation or payment (maksupääte). With specific UHF RFID labels, it's also possible to utilise the remote scanning capability, enabling efficiency in large space inventories.
Reader devices
Most labels are readable with a mobile device - either with the camera or with bluetooth connection. Sometimes, however, a reader device brings fluency to everyday operations. For example in a self-operating storage, it's quite convenient that there is a scanner to scan out and return items instead of using each user's mobile phone for it. We offer selected reader devices to support working with Trail in the most efficien manner possible.
Remote-readable labels
If there is a need to do inventory counting for large spaces, we warmly recommend utilising remote-readable UHF RFID labels and inventory functionality. This setup allows completing an inventory of hundreds of items in mere minutes.
Download whitepaper: Introduction to Asset Labels
Explore the labels and label technologies in equipment management.