Title: Real time asset tracking in field services using barcode system: a case study

Authors: G. Jegan Jose; S. PrasannaVenkatesan; S. Kumanan

Addresses: Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620015, India ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620015, India ' Department of Production Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli – 620015, India

Abstract: A field service management system essentially provides way for companies to support field operations including technicians, tools, cranes and supplies for effective execution. Manual tracking of assets is cumbersome, prone to inaccuracy and do not provide the level of needed information. Tool centers maintain the inventory of tools to fulfil on-site repairs need to be standardised and simplified. The research gaps exists in the literature on the use of technological systems in managing assets in field services. This motivates the need for developing tracking and tracing solution to increase visibility and control of field assets. In this research, we developed a barcode based tool tracking system which will fully automate the asset tracking process. The solution consists of three main components user interface, database and barcode. This helps to better manage the fleet of assets efficiently. The developed tool is validated for tools tracking of a power generating company.

Keywords: track and trace; monitoring; barcode; field service; on-site repairs; assets; technology; power generation company.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSOI.2022.123561

International Journal of Services Operations and Informatics, 2022 Vol.12 No.1, pp.40 - 57

Received: 11 Jan 2021
Accepted: 14 Jan 2021
Published online: 27 Jun 2022 *

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