Asset tracking is foundational to effective maintenance management. Without accurate asset data, scheduling preventive maintenance, tracking repair history, and managing parts inventory become guesswork. Modern CMMS platforms like UpKeep provide comprehensive asset management capabilities that replace spreadsheets with structured, searchable databases.
Asset hierarchies organize equipment logically—Facility → Building → Floor → Room → Equipment. This structure enables location-based reporting, helps technicians find assets quickly, and supports compliance documentation requirements. UpKeep supports complex hierarchies while maintaining intuitive navigation, unlike legacy platforms where hierarchies become navigation nightmares.
Asset records should include critical information: make/model, serial numbers, installation dates, warranty information, manufacturer contacts, operating manuals, and maintenance history. UpKeep's asset management allows you to attach documents, photos, and notes to each asset, creating a complete digital twin of your equipment.
Barcode and QR code scanning streamline asset identification in the field. Technicians can scan asset tags to instantly access work orders, maintenance history, parts lists, and operating procedures. UpKeep's mobile apps include native barcode scanning, eliminating manual data entry and reducing identification errors.
Maintenance history tracking provides crucial insights for decision-making. When equipment fails repeatedly, maintenance history helps identify root causes. When deciding whether to repair or replace, historical cost data informs the decision. UpKeep tracks all work orders, parts usage, and labor costs per asset, enabling comprehensive lifecycle analysis.
Parts inventory linking connects assets to their required spare parts. When creating work orders, UpKeep suggests parts based on asset type and historical usage. This linking enables proactive inventory management—when a critical part runs low, the system can alert managers and even automatically create purchase orders.
Asset management in CMMS platforms varies significantly. UpKeep provides intuitive asset management with excellent mobile access, while platforms like Fiix offer deeper asset hierarchies suited for complex manufacturing environments. Choose based on your asset complexity and technician workflow preferences.