Asset Management Software Freeware: The Devil’s in the Details

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To understand what asset management software freeware is, it’s important to explain what it isn’t. Freeware is different than free software. Freeware is a term that describes software that’s available free of charge. Isn’t that the same thing as free software, then? No. And yes, all of this terminology is a bit confusing … but let’s clear it up, shall we? Free software allows users to copy, distribute, change and even improve it. Freeware doesn’t come with such leniency, as users are subject to intellectual property laws. The original owner retains the rights to the freeware, and typically doesn’t include the source code with distribution, which prevents anyone from modifying it. On occasion, freeware licensing outlaws copying, distributing and/or selling.

If you acquire a free software product and it doesn’t quite work for your specific needs, you can study how it works and modify it to your own specifications, provided you have access to the source code. In fact, if your modifications significantly improve the free software and you believe that others would benefit from it, too, you can make copies of your improved version and distribute it to everyone you know. You can even sell those copies for a fee. One caveat: Users who modify, copy and distribute “new and improved” versions of free software are not permitted to add restrictions which would then deny other users the same freedoms. In other words, the free software’s original terms of use cannot be altered. This is called copyleft, a term defined as “an arrangement whereby software or artistic work may be used, modified, and distributed freely on condition that anything derived from it is bound by the same condition.”

Asset Panda falls under the category of asset management software freeware. It isn’t free software, so the source code can’t be modified. However, Asset Panda’s platform was built to provide clients with an incredibly flexible and customizable means of tracking and managing their inventory and assets. Clients are able to use Asset Panda’s free iOS and Android apps to organize and display their data any way they want. Our philosophy is that a “one-size-fits-all” approach to asset tracking simply doesn’t work. Each company has its own unique needs. Customizable features include security settings (based on criteria like location and role), columns and fields, a calendar feature, reports, notifications and alerts.

Ease of use also is a key philosophy behind Asset Panda’s intuitive platform. With Asset Panda, all clients need to track and manage their entire lifecycle of their assets already lives in the palms of their hands. Simply download the free app to your smartphone or tablet. You won’t need a separate handheld barcode scanner, as the app includes a built-in scanner; and you won’t need any additional hardware, either. Add as many users as you’d like – there’s no fee – and increase both accuracy and accountability throughout your entire organization.

Asset Panda saves clients significant time and money. There’s more frustration while employees hunt down lost or stolen assets, and it’s quick and easy to track and report depreciation for accounting and compliance purposes. Additionally, from an equipment refresh standpoint, Asset Panda can help you replenishment cycle and schedule and budget for your replacement costs. A lot of companies simply use their equipment until it dies, not realizing that continuing to use an aging, slow and inefficient machine is costing them money and time.

There's truly no organization this tool can't help. Asset Panda designed a system for this large church organization in Tennessee to track and monitor the movement of its fixed assets among various locations:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OysShyM_I8

Clients throughout the world already trust Asset Panda to help them manage millions of dollars’ worth of their most vital assets. Give our asset management software freeware a try, and experience the difference for yourself. Visit assetpanda.com for more details.

 
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.

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