Equipment Asset Tracking and Commercial Real Estate

equipment-asset-tracking-and-commercial-real-estate-header

Equipment asset tracking can deliver significant benefits to the commercial real estate (CRE) market, especially when it comes to facilities management. The CRE market is facing several challenges right now concerning facilities management. According to Dexma Energy Management, those challenges include:

  • Tenants’ changing needs. More tenants are expressing the desire to rent or purchase space in green or NZEB (Net Zero Energy) buildings;
  • Complicated processes that involve a lot of paperwork and time;
  • Legislation, which has required companies to provide an increased number of certifications, reports, emission disclosures, and more;
  • The complexity of business data, which places additional burdens on busy facilities managers; and
  • Technology that isn’t user-friendly.

Sustainability is Hot

Cushman and Wakefield identify sustainability as a top priority for tenants throughout 2019; “most consumers, which are millennials and Gen Zers, expect to do business with companies that use sustainable practices.” Subsequently, CRE companies “need to renovate existing facilities and improve the use of energy, as well as ensure optimum facility condition, to attract and retain tenants.”

If the renovation of existing facilities, improved energy usage, and better facility conditions are of high importance, then facilities managers must use an equipment tracking system to stay on top of preventive maintenance schedules and other information – for example, warranties and insurance policies. An equipment asset tracking system simplifies record-keeping and the management of equipment throughout its entire lifecycle, so companies can maximize their investments and keep their assets running at optimal levels.

Equipment Maintenance

Within any CRE building are numerous systems that must be maintained on an ongoing basis to keep tenants comfortable and safe. Any business owner knows the impact that a downed server, broken air conditioner, or heater can have on employee productivity. And yet, it can be difficult to keep track of these systems and stay on top of routine maintenance. An equipment asset tracking system enables facilities managers to outsource that task by setting up customized notifications and reminders of key maintenance. They can also generate work orders through the system, look up an item’s complete maintenance history, and set up additional alerts to remind them of upcoming warranty expiration dates. Equipment that is routinely maintained will likely have a longer useful life, potentially saving CRE companies thousands – and, most important, keeping tenants happy.

Cybersecurity

Although it’s not listed above, cybersecurity is another concern of CRE companies. In June 2018, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) issued a Public Service Announcement warning of the increased occurrence of business email/email account scams within the real estate industry. Between 2015 and 2017, the FBI stated, CRE companies experienced a 1,100 percent increase in the number of email scam victims and an approximate 2,200 percent rise in reported monetary losses. Routine maintenance and updates on IT equipment can go a long way toward keeping would-be scammers out.  

Depreciation Management

Another benefit of equipment asset tracking that real estate companies may not consider is the management of depreciation. Business owners must report the value of their fixed assets for accounting and compliance purposes. Those companies who rely on manual systems sometimes have to resort to guesswork when reporting these figures. Equipment asset tracking gives companies the peace of mind that comes from knowing that their data are accurate and in real-time.

Simple, Customizable Equipment Asset Tracking

Asset Panda’s approach to equipment asset tracking is powerful, yet streamlined, comprehensive and yet simple to use. Completely customizable, Asset Panda’s free mobile app syncs with the cloud and gives our clients the ability to track their equipment and assets any way they want.

By:

Courtney Roush

Courtney Roush is a freelance writer, editor, and communications strategist with 25 years of experience. Her favorite discipline is crisis communications – and it’s a highly relevant one in our present times.

Learn more from an Asset Panda expert

Get a FREE consultation with an asset tracking expert to find out how you can transform your asset tracking

Get a Demo