Challenge
A government housing authority was mandated to inventory all their assets at their owned properties. In addition to keeping track of what assets where at which location, they were also required to track of the condition of those assets. Typical assets included beds, desks, ovens, microwaves, pictures, mirrors, - anything found on the property that was purchased and owned by the housing authority.
Technical Requirements
- Software for portable data terminal (PDT) that can read barcode labels and store asset inventory information until download. PC based software can interface with CCS Fixed Asset Module (which is UNIX-based) for the purpose of data download and the update of completed inventories.
- The inventory information required for the interface is as follows: (a) The location and department number, both formatted in a 3-digit number, (b) The asset number formatted in up to 8 alpha numeric characters, and (c) A condition code, formatted as a single letter, describing the current condition of the item scanned.
- The system must include the capability to print two types of labels for current and future locations and items. The two types of labels are Location label and Item label. Printing must be location-based.
Solution
The housing authority was given a Unitech PT600 with integrated standard laser PDT for each employee responsible for taking asset inventory. The asset inventory program for the PT600 was created utilizing Unitech’s JobGen Lite software.
Data entered into the PDC by the operator for each label was transferred to a portable barcode printer via cable. The cable between the PT600 and the portable printer had to be custom made because of pin outs and interfaces that were different than the standard cable supplied by the printer manufacturer.
Employees can wear the portable printer on a belt or carry it with a shoulder strap. The printer prints the label, which will then be placed on the asset for future inventory and tracking. When inventory of the assets is taken, the employee will scan both labels on the asset and then enter a code as to the condition of the item. This data will be stored in the PT600.
After the inventory is completed at the location, the employee returns to a central computer system and uploads the data to a file on the PC. The upload of data from the PDT is handled by Pt-Comm. Manager software, which is an integral part of JobGen Lite. The file then can be interfaced to the CCS Fixed Asset Module (which is a UNIX-based system). The PDC can have its data deleted and will then be ready to take inventory at other locations.
Written by Bill Lewis Wednesday, September 19, 2001
