Written by Dan Barraclough Reviewed by Maïté Bouhali Updated on 5 April 2019 On this page What Makes the Best Asset Tracking Software? The Best Asset Tracking Software 1. Samsara 2. Oracle 3. AssetGuard by Seton 4. Asset Panda The Cost of Asset Tracking Software FAQs Expand Asset tracking software is the glue that holds your asset tracking system together, so investing in the right software package is importantAn asset tracking system is essential for any business that deals with lots of tools and pieces of equipment. Without it, you could lose working hours, and take a pinch out of your profits, too.Why’s that? Well, time equals money. And when you and your employees are spending hours every day searching for misplaced items, you’re cutting into project time and service time.Wasted time adds up; you could end up having to tell your client that the project is over-running, which means you’ve got to afford more man-hours. You may need to tell a patient that their assessment is delayed, which costs the hospital more in bed space.Worst of all, you could have to turn down a huge contract because you simply don’t know whether you’ll have the assets available to carry it out.So, investing in asset tracking software is essential. But asset tracking isn’t just about software. It’s an entire system that usually combines several types of tracking hardware. What Makes the Best Asset Tracking Software?The best asset tracking software is going to be easy to implement and easy to use. It’s also going to be compatible with the type of asset tracking system you have installed. This could be:Barcode asset trackingRFID asset trackingGPS asset trackingA combination of the aboveYou can find out more about each of the different types of asset tracking system in the FAQ section at the end of this article. The Best Asset Tracking SoftwareThe team at Expert Market has conducted research into the best asset tracking software in Canada. We considered the needs of modern day businesses and focused on the following aspects when choosing the best asset tracking software:Asset tracking software for large assetsAsset tracking software for large businessesAsset tracking software for scalabilityAsset tracking software for mobile businessesAs a result, we can reveal that the best asset tracking software suppliers are Samsara, Oracle, Seton, and Asset Panda.See how they rate against each other below. 01 | Samsara 02 | Oracle 03 | AssetGuard by Seton 04 | Asset Panda SamsaraBest for large assets Samsara is a big name in the asset tracking industry, and it deals with big assets, too. Bypassing the small tools and getting straight to the big guns, Samsara’s asset tracking software helps you manage the location, condition, and even the rental billing of your biggest assets (diggers, cement mixers etc). The software enables you to search for your assets by name, type and location. Thanks to data collected by the Samsara GPS trackers attached to your assets, you can delve deeper into their condition, and discover stats such as engine hours and distance covered.Key featuresStores data collected by GPS trackersAutomate billing reportsSet up geo-fencingSchedule preventative maintenance alertsSet up utilization reports to detect dormant or heavily used assets Pros Gain a huge insight into usage of assets Easy to use software system Cons Only for large assets OracleBest for global businesses Not set on keeping track of assets in just one country, Oracle is for businesses that operate on a truly global scale. And it’s not just about keeping tabs on asset location. Oracle’s asset tracking software collects data for tracking the lifecycle of your assets, and enables you to set up cost deviations so you can gain a deeper financial understanding of your assets, too. When it comes to software, Oracle means business. Companies can purchase Oracle software for almost any area of their business. And naturally, these software packages are integratable, which means you can access all of your business’ data from one location.Key featuresAsset visibility and trackingCreate and update assetsManage asset transfersManage moving, reinstating, recycling and retiring of assetsTrack the history of asset transactions Pros Gain complete insight into your assets A system that operates on a global scale Cons Only integrates with Oracle software AssetGuard by SetonBest for scalability Investing in asset tracking software is all about managing your business better. And when you manage your business better, it’ll grow. So why not invest in asset tracking software that’ll grow with you? There are three AssetGuard software packages to choose from – Silver, Gold, and Platinum – which offer coverage of 250, 1,000, and an unlimited number of assets respectively. In addition to the three tiers of software package, you can customize your interface to show your preferred information.Key featuresTrack and manage assetsLocal to global scale trackingImport and export dataTamper-proof audit trailsSet different permission levels Pros Suitable for small to large businesses Customize to meet your business’ needs Cons Nowhere near as sophisticated as the Oracle software Asset PandaBest for mobile businesses When you’re not glued to your office chair, an asset tracking system that you can take out and about with you is a must. The great thing about Asset Panda is that it comes in app form. And the app doesn’t mess around, either. It’s really very powerful, offering a huge range of tools to help you keep track of your assets. Asset Panda claims that its system is the most flexible and customizable in the industry, which means it’s perfect for businesses with unique requirements. On top of that, it deals with anything from auditing to support ticketing. Clever!Key featuresUpload asset photos, documents, videos, and voice notesAdd custom fields to insurance and work ordersIntegrate with a range of appsApp compatible with iPhone, iPad and AndroidTailored industry solutions Pros Highly customizable Available on iOS and Android Cons Expensive if you don’t make the most of the features The Cost of Asset Tracking SoftwareThe great thing about asset tracking systems is that they are designed with your business’ specific needs in mind. However, this usually means that pricing is tailored. The best way to find out how much asset tracking software will cost your business is to receive quotes directly from suppliers.You can do this really easily. Just fill in our form with a few details about your business’ requirements, and the best suppliers for your needs will be in touch. FAQsWhat are the different types of asset tracking?As mentioned earlier in the article, there are three main types of asset tracking. These are:Barcode scanningRFID scanningGPS trackingHere’s some information on each one:Barcode scanningWe’ve all seen the person at the checkout scan our items. Barcode asset tracking is essentially the same. You stick a barcode to your assets, then store that asset’s information to that barcode. You can use a barcode scanner to scan the asset in and out of a project, and access the information about it.RFID scanningOtherwise known as radio frequency identification, this kind of asset tracking system uses radio waves, rather than laser beams, to detect and scan items.This system is more rigid than barcode scanning, and is better suited to medium-sized assets. Radio scanners can also pick up the presence of more than one asset at one time, making them great for large store rooms and warehouses.GPS trackingGPS tracking is for your vehicles; think diggers, tractors and cement mixers. A small GPS tracker attaches to your engine diagnostics and emits a signal – as long as there’s a cell phone network. In addition to sending out a location signal, the GPS tracker collects data on engine hours and mileage so you can assess usage and wear and tear.Is there simple asset tracking software?Asset tracking, by default, involves a lot of data and information, but that doesn’t mean the software that hosts that information needs to be hard to use. In fact, one of the easiest softwares is Asset Panda’s, whose customers consistently comment on its ease of use. And with webinars available for new users, onboarding should be a breeze.Can I combine asset tracking with vehicle tracking?Yes you can! It just depends on the supplier you choose. Samsara, for example, offers both asset tracking and vehicle tracking systems. Because both systems are from the same supplier, you can integrate the two systems on the same software platform, giving you all the data you need to manage your vehicles in one place. Written by: Dan Barraclough Dan’s a Senior Writer at Expert Market, specialising in digital marketing, web design, and photocopiers, amongst other topics. Reviewed by: Maïté Bouhali Business Software Editor Maite began her career with Expert Market nearly four years ago as a writer. She quickly developed a passion for the challenges faced by small businesses and now endeavours to help them make informed decisions for their future. In her current position as Business Software Editor, Maite works closely with writers to ensure that each article is informative, well-researched, engaging, and actionable for readers. With extensive knowledge of CRM, vehicle tracking devices, and fuel cards, she is meticulous in her review of each article and provides detailed feedback before publication. Whether you're seeking to stay informed on the latest trends in business software or need guidance in selecting the most appropriate software for your organisation's needs, Maite is here to help. With her sharp eye for detail and commitment to quality, she is dedicated to supporting businesses in achieving their goals.