What technology can provide you the most reward? Evaluate your operations to determine where your technology dollars are best spent.

Reduced Down Time Can you reduce or minimize the time spent looking for machines, tools and other assets or plan maintenance and calibration to avoid machine down time? A tracking system using barcode will show where your assets are at the time they are needed - who took them last or which job site they were checked out to. An integrated maintenance scheduler will flag required maintenance as it is due and assure OSHA compliance.

Do you make shrinkage unacceptable? Proper control of tools and parts prevents costs that result from hoarding, irresponsibility or downright theft. It is up to the business owner to declare that shrinkage is unacceptable and to hold employees accountable for losses that are under their control. This policy is given "teeth" when you can effectively track your assets using technology.

Can you identify bottlenecks on the job - something that slows down productivity? Although you may not be aware of the bottlenecks on your jobs this is probably the single most important variable. What are your capacities for output and what is the optimal load of people and tools to meet 100% capacity? How do you route the work to prevent idle or down time? A computerized system that tracks labor hours to a specific function within the job and on the fly will help prevent these costly issues by identifying those points where workflow gets interrupted.