Choosing the right asset management software is a strategic decision that will affect your organization's efficiency for years to come. A wrong choice can mean unnecessary costs, data loss, and user frustration. In this article, we present 10 key criteria you should consider when selecting asset management software.
Many organizations still rely on Excel or paper records. This brings a number of problems that specialized software solves:
In Excel, you never know who changed what and when. Version control is a nightmare and the current asset status is a mystery.
Typos, duplicates, missing records. Manual records are prone to errors that are hard to detect.
Without QR codes and mobile scanning, inventory takes weeks instead of days.
Manual depreciation calculation is tedious and error-prone. Specialized software handles this automatically.
Learn more about the differences between Excel and specialized software in our article: Asset Management in Excel vs. Specialized Software
When selecting asset management software, you should consider the following 10 key criteria. Each can significantly affect your satisfaction with the solution:
QR codes are the foundation of modern inventory. Software should enable generating, printing, and scanning QR labels directly from mobile phone. This can save up to 90% of inventory time.
Manually calculating depreciation is tedious and error-prone. Quality software automatically calculates tax and accounting depreciation according to legislation and alerts on fully depreciated assets.
Organizations need different access levels. Admin sees everything, department heads only their units, regular users have limited rights. A flexible role system is essential.
Software should offer pre-made reports: inventory lists, classification/disposal protocols, asset cards, summary overviews. Export to PDF and Excel is standard.
Cloud means access from anywhere, automatic backups, and no worries about installation and updates. Data is always current and securely backed up.
For field inventory, mobile access is essential. Application should work on mobile phones without installation - just a web browser is needed.
If you have existing records in Excel, data import capability is important. Quality software offers an import wizard that guides you through the entire process.
Quality support is priceless. Look for a provider with local helpdesk and fast response. Support should be available at least on business days.
Consider not just price but licensing model. Monthly subscription without long-term commitments is more flexible. Watch out for hidden update fees.
Verify references from similar organizations. Software tested in schools will better suit schools. Ask for case studies and contacts to existing customers.
The basic decision is choosing between cloud and local (on-premise) solutions. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages:
Software runs on provider's servers. Access via web browser from anywhere. Automatic updates and backups.
Software installed on your servers. Full control over data. Requires IT management and maintenance.
Avoid these common mistakes when selecting software:
We recommend proceeding systematically and not underestimating any step of the selection process:
Asset Manager was designed to meet all 10 criteria for modern asset management software:
Generate QR labels, print on adhesive paper, scan with mobile without app installation.
Tax and accounting depreciation according to legislation. Automatic calculation and overviews.
Access from anywhere, automatic backups, no installation. Data in secure datacenter.
Import wizard helps you transfer data from existing spreadsheets without losing information.
Local helpdesk, fast response, help with setup and data import.
Monthly subscription without long-term commitments. Starting from $10 per month.
Prices range from tens to hundreds of dollars monthly depending on features and user count. For small organizations, Asset Manager starts at $10 monthly. It's important to compare total cost of ownership (TCO) including training, support, and updates.
For most organizations, cloud is more advantageous - lower operating costs, automatic updates and backups, access from anywhere. Local solution may be suitable for organizations with specific security requirements or without reliable internet connection.
With cloud solutions, you can start using software immediately after registration. Importing existing data and training key users usually takes 1-2 weeks. Full deployment in larger organizations may take 1-2 months.
Yes, most vendors offer free trial versions. Asset Manager can be tried for 14 days without obligation. We recommend trying 2-3 solutions and comparing them on real data.
Quality vendor offers implementation support - help with data import, asset structure setup and user training. Asset Manager provides complete support including help with Excel migration.
Choosing asset management software is an investment in your organization's future. Take time for thorough selection, use trial versions and involve key users in decision-making. The right software will save you time and money for years ahead. Asset Manager meets all 10 criteria and you can try it for free.
See for yourself that Asset Manager meets all your criteria. 14 days free, no obligation, full functionality.
Try for freeWould you like to learn more about the Asset Manager app? Contact us and we'll be happy to provide you with all the information you need.