| With the increasing amount of portable IT equipment | | | | be tricky, especially when numerous identical-looking |
| and other teaching aids used in schools these days, it | | | | instruments are loaned out to pupils. |
| is important that all a school’s assets are kept | | | | Asset labels |
| track of. Tracking equipment means that when a | | | | To solve these problems, why not try asset labels and |
| member of staff or pupil wants to use something, it | | | | tracking for equipment as varied as musical |
| can be found easily and time is not wasted. | | | | instruments and IT pieces? This involves assigning a |
| Just as importantly it ensures that if there is a theft or | | | | label with a unique number to each item. You could |
| fire, you will have a reliable list of equipment to present | | | | also use a bar code label which will also save time |
| to the insurance firm – this is worth bearing in mind | | | | when making an inventory. Asset labels are best |
| as some insurance companies will require proof of | | | | used in conjunction with an asset register. An asset |
| your equipment. | | | | register is a log of all the equipment and can be kept |
| School equipment challenges | | | | as hard copy or using special software. A copy of the |
| Keeping track of equipment in schools can be | | | | register should be kept off-site or in a fire-proof safe |
| challenging. With so many staff needing to use various | | | | which is locked every night. |
| pieces of equipment at different times, it can | | | | Asset labels come in materials from inexpensive vinyl |
| understandably be difficult for the designated | | | | through to durable materials such as aluminium, steel |
| co-ordinator to monitor everything. | | | | and polyesters. Some labels are known as "ultra |
| As well as IT equipment, you may also want to | | | | destructible" and they will break if anyone tries to |
| protect items such as musical instruments. Music is | | | | remove them, or leave a VOID sign behind – this is |
| important in schools and is a source of great | | | | a good deterrent for thieves. |
| enjoyment to young people. Additionally, instruments | | | | The asset or barcode label you choose will depend on |
| have often been donated and schools therefore value | | | | what you want to mark and how permanent you |
| them all the more. | | | | want the label to be. |
| Keeping track of the instruments is necessary but can | | | | |