null
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Post by null on Jan 31, 2021 7:08:25 GMT -8
Some of you know that I have a small business taking people backpacking around the country. I ship group equipment to almost every trip. During the busy season, I have equipment strewn all across the country.
Is there an app / software / system you can recommend that can keep track of all the stuff? I don't mind paying for the system, but I obviously don't need and can't afford systems that container ships or railroads use. More like the type of thing a Scout Quartermaster would need.
As an aside, I'm fine with bar coding each piece of equipment, but of course affixing a bar code to say, an Ursack is hard to attach and even if that can be done, the label can easily become obscured by dirt.
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zeke
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Post by zeke on Jan 31, 2021 7:30:03 GMT -8
I don't see why a simple spreadsheet wouldn't work. Top row would be Where you send it. Columns for what went there. Seems easy enough to set up, and you'd have access to it anytime you had wifi.
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Post by cweston on Jan 31, 2021 8:43:25 GMT -8
I could imagine that a barcode strategy for hard to label items, like an Ursack, could be...
1. Somehow affix each Ursack with a number (Urasack 1, Ursack 2, etc)
2. Have a barcode page with the barcodes for Ursack 1, Ursack 2, etc.
That solves the problem of having to affix barcodes to outdoor gear that's going to be treated roughly, etc.
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null
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Post by null on Jan 31, 2021 14:13:39 GMT -8
Have a barcode page with the barcodes for Ursack 1, Ursack 2 Years ago when I worked at DuPont, they had a barcode page you'd scan every time you started working on something else, so your idea might be good for the wear and tear of the trail.
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Post by bobcat on Jan 31, 2021 17:01:16 GMT -8
If you already have ms-office, you can use ms-access database. Seems to me there are at least two different things you need: a record of each item, and a record of where it is. A database gives you a little more functionality than a spreadsheet, especially if it’s managing records and not really calculations. You could even store a picture and the purchase receipt of items right in the item record, which could be useful for taxes and insurance if needed. I have been gradually using databases more when it’s records to manage and not calculations. The basic platform is the same as a spreadsheet, so I have found it easy to learn. There’s probably a freeware version that would work if you don’t already have MS-Access.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 1, 2021 10:48:00 GMT -8
Delicious Library? Iirc it provides for barcoded items in a collectibles collection listing using simply the computers camera. Details such as sortable by location I’m unsure of. I just use it for books. www.delicious-monster.com/
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Feb 1, 2021 14:29:23 GMT -8
There are tons of barcode based systems for inventory and logistics management. One thing to be aware of is barcode labels often come off or get damaged, so there's a certain constant level of maintenance involved and a corresponding level of uncertainty for affected items.
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null
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Post by null on Feb 2, 2021 8:03:08 GMT -8
barcode labels often come off or get damaged Yes, that has been an impediment to using such systems.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 3, 2021 21:26:13 GMT -8
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 3, 2021 21:37:15 GMT -8
P.S. Or maybe use a Sharpie to write an individual item number on each piece and just type it in as it checks in/out.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 3, 2021 23:46:42 GMT -8
RFID! Of course! I used them to ID our frogs, easy to use and the tags aren’t that expensive: just superglue them to the piece and you’re in business. www.biomark.com/
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 4, 2021 8:10:58 GMT -8
RFID! Of course! I used them to ID our frogs, easy to use and the tags aren’t that expensive: just superglue them to the piece and you’re in business. www.biomark.com/I'd go with epoxy for this use.
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reuben
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Post by reuben on Feb 4, 2021 9:05:21 GMT -8
RFID! Of course! I used them to ID our frogs, easy to use and the tags aren’t that expensive: just superglue them to the piece and you’re in business. www.biomark.com/I'd go with epoxy for this use. I'm not sure that will be good for the frogs.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Feb 4, 2021 14:01:35 GMT -8
I'd go with epoxy for this use. I'm not sure that will be good for the frogs. Never tried: nothing sticks to that skin. (Thiugh there’s medical superglue that’s meant as a stitch replacement so it might have worked...) And, yes, epoxy isn’t as fussy as superglue (cyanoacrylates) on surface condition.
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ErnieW
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Post by ErnieW on Feb 4, 2021 16:32:50 GMT -8
And, yes, epoxy isn’t as fussy as superglue (cyanoacrylates) on surface condition. I was thinking of the Ursack example.
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