Regardless of a company's size, keeping track of both assets and inventory is extremely important. There are quite a few different barcode tracking software companies that have designed their software with special features to make the job easier. Many will include them as regular parts of the program while others will charge for some as add-on items. The primary items are inventory control, asset management, multiple location coordination, scanners and printers, and integration with other software systems.

Keeping track of the products a company has on hand is the basic premise of inventory control. In the past, employees would be required to track everything on paper which slows the process and is very costly. In order to keep up with the fast paced global economy, companies have to keep better track of products in order to fulfill orders for customers in a timely fashion.

Keeping track of assets includes items that are usually not considered part of the products to be sold. Office furniture, work computers, and vehicles are primary examples of items a company may own as an asset. Keeping track of this information is important for tax purposes and can eliminate duplicate purchases when assets such as desks are already available for new employees.

Multiple site warehouse controls are designed to track items as they move from one company location to another. Whether the location is an actual warehouse or a retail location, it is extremely important to be able to tag each item with its location. Each location can then operate efficiently. Using this feature, companies are able to shift their inventory between locations as needed, providing a better customer experience and eliminating wasted expense.

Scanners are made in different formats. Wireless hand scanners are the most popular style. These are used by employees to scan items during weekly or monthly inventory counts. Using these scanners eliminates costly mistakes made by employees entering incorrect handwritten data into the system. Wired and desk scanners are popular in warehouses to check items in and out as they are transferred from one location to another.

Barcode printers have been manufactured for some time. They include special paper with a sticky sheet that is peeled and stuck onto the item. This allows companies to track products using their own barcodes. Using this type of system makes inventory management extremely efficient. The programs are also able to print the codes using standard paper.

Integrating with other software programs has become essential. While the tracking systems come loaded with features, many companies need to port the information to their financial software, spreadsheets, and even the Internet cloud. The flexibility of integration eliminates hours of transcribing the information from one system to another. Many of the popular program data formats are included.

Companies must keep track of both inventory and assets in order to compete in today's global economy. The standard features of tracking software provide an efficient and effective way of handling this process. The systems reduce employee time and mistakes that could be very costly to a company trying to grow and compete. Using these systems ensures nearly immediate and perfectly accurate access to company inventory data which allows for better management decisions.