Asset Numbering Best Practices
A well-designed asset numbering system is essential for long-term asset management.
We recommend using a single numbering sequence with a prefix that identifies the company, site, or branch. For example:
- CPT000001 – Cape Town Branch
- JHB000001 – Johannesburg Branch
- DBN000001 – Durban Branch
Avoid using prefixes to identify asset types, such as:
- C00001 for Chairs
- T00001 for Tables
- D00001 for Desks
Although this may seem logical initially, it often creates operational problems during the asset take-on process.
For example, if every asset type requires its own numbering sequence, the person performing the initial asset audit may need to carry 20 or more different rolls of labels and decide which label series to apply to each asset. This increases complexity, slows down the audit process, and creates opportunities for mistakes.
A single sequential numbering system simplifies label management, reduces errors, and makes future asset tracking and reporting much easier.
Choosing the Right Label for Your Tracking Needs
Selecting the right label for your asset tracking application can be challenging. Many organisations discover too late that they chose a label that was not suitable for the environment in which it was used. The result is often missing labels, labels that have fallen off, or labels that have faded and become unreadable over time.
The first step is to determine the amount of information that needs to be stored on the label. This will influence both the barcode type and the label size.
Choosing a Barcode Type
The size of the label is largely determined by the barcode or 2D matrix code used.
For asset tracking, DataMatrix is one of the most compact and efficient options available. A DataMatrix code as small as 5 mm x 5 mm can store a 10-digit asset number and can still be read by most modern smartphones and barcode scanners.
Choosing the Right Label Size
If the label only needs to contain a unique asset number encoded in a DataMatrix symbol, a very small label may be sufficient.
Label Testing Guide
To achieve the best performance from any label, it is important to test it under the actual conditions in which it will be used. A label that looks suitable in the office may fail in the field due to poor adhesion, chemical exposure, abrasion, or scanning problems.
By carrying out a few simple tests before committing to a large label order, you can avoid costly mistakes and ensure your labels remain readable and durable throughout their service life.
1. Test the Adhesion
Apply the label to the intended surface and verify that the adhesive provides sufficient bond strength for the application.
Consider:
- Surface texture and roughness
- Temperature variations
- Exposure to moisture
- Indoor or outdoor use
The label should remain firmly attached throughout the expected life of the asset.
2. Test Print Durability
Check that the printed information remains legible after normal handling.
Test for:
- Scratching and scuffing
- Abrasion from regular use
- Repeated handling and cleaning
The barcode, asset number, and logo should remain clearly visible and readable.
3. Test Chemical Resistance
Rub the label with the cleaning agents, disinfectants, solvents, or chemicals that it will encounter during normal use.
Examples include:
- Detergents
- Disinfectants
- Alcohol-based cleaners
- Industrial cleaning products
The print and label material should not degrade, fade, smear, or detach from the asset.
4. Test Barcode Readability
After completing each durability test, scan the Barcode, QR Code, or DataMatrix code to ensure that it remains readable.
Verify that:
- The code scans quickly and consistently
- The scanner can read the code from a practical distance
- The code remains readable after cleaning, abrasion, and environmental exposure
Test Before You Buy
Always test:
- Barcode or DataMatrix size
- Label material
- Adhesive performance
- Print durability
- Chemical resistance
- Scanner readability
A small amount of testing before deployment can save significant time and money later and ensures that your labels continue to perform their tracking function throughout the life of the asset.
Label types for diverse applications
Polyester and PVC Labels in Gloss White
For Electronics and 90% of all Asset Tracking
Chosen where best price/performance is required
For Electronics and 90% of all Asset Tracking
Chosen where best price/performance is required
These products offer excellent printed image quality, dimensional stability, durability and heat/cold/moisture resistance and are designed to remain firmly affixed and clearly legible to the end of the product’s life. PVC has the best UV stability rated at 5 years in Northern European UV exposure, maybe less in Africa.
High Temp Labels
For Electronics, Appliance, Automotive & Asset Tracking
Chosen where the product undergoes thermal cycling during its life including manufacturing, like PCB soldering and hot metals after pouring into ingots
For Electronics, Appliance, Automotive & Asset Tracking
Chosen where the product undergoes thermal cycling during its life including manufacturing, like PCB soldering and hot metals after pouring into ingots
Polyimide labels are designed to meet the increased performance demanded for use at extremely high temperatures. Hi-Heat label properties make them particularly suitable as Thermal Transfer printed barcode labels to be applied during printed circuit board production before extreme temperature exposure in lead free component soldering. The labels will also maintain whiteness, barcode legibility and adhesive performance when exposed to 300°C for up to one minute. Improved abrasion resistance, high-temp infrared and chemical cleaning resistance ensure the labels remain in place during the full printed circuit board assembly cycle.
Laser Engraved Tracking Labels
For Automotive, Security, Electronics & Asset Tracking in Extreme Environmental Conditions (Laser Cut)
Chosen where label integrity is paramount
For Automotive, Security, Electronics & Asset Tracking in Extreme Environmental Conditions (Laser Cut)
Chosen where label integrity is paramount
Our premium labels and feature high print contrast, Hi-heat & Lo-cold diversity, abrasion resistance, chemical resistance and visible destructive tamper evidence. Multiple different size and shape labels are available as a set in a 100mm x 100mm pre-printed Mini-Sheet. These Laser Labels will replace a multitude of pre-made labels where odd shapes, tiny sizes and sub-mm text is required.
Destructible Labels
For Indoor/Outdoor Security Marking, Security Seals & Asset Tracking
Chosen where Tampering with the label must be visible
For Indoor/Outdoor Security Marking, Security Seals & Asset Tracking
Chosen where Tampering with the label must be visible
Destructible labels are extremely difficult to peel off objects, even when applied to low energy surfaces. When removal is attempted, the material fractures easily preventing re-use. The destructible label is ideal for interior security marking applications such as asset tracking labels and tamper evident security seals as it breaks off in pieces when removal and tampering is evident.
Void Labels
For Automotive, Electronic PCB’s & Components, Security Seals, Warranty & Asset Tracking
Chosen where Tampering with the label voids the product warranty or tampering with the asset is needed
For Automotive, Electronic PCB’s & Components, Security Seals, Warranty & Asset Tracking
Chosen where Tampering with the label voids the product warranty or tampering with the asset is needed
Void labels show instant tamper-indicating properties that reveal a compact irreversible "VOID" message upon removal of the label from the substrate. The compact "VOID" text makes it suitable for all shapes and sizes of labels. It is approved by leading automotive companies for interior and exterior use and widely employed by electronic goods, appliance and telecommunication manufacturers. These label stocks offer initial high tack and good adhesion to textured and high and low surface energy substrates, even at low temperatures.
Textile & RFID Labels
For Workwear, Linen, Scholar Clothing, Sportswear & Corporate Logos
Chosen where textiles need to be laundered, tracked and traced
Chosen where textiles need to be laundered, tracked and traced
SALTT textile and RFID labels enable laundries to process and track thousands of items of workwear, linen and other textiles on a daily basis. Our wide range of Textile labels are developed for intensive use and are designed to withstand multiple washings. A name label, company logo and barcode have to be as durable as the textile itself. SALTT provides high quality laundry labels and laundry labeling solutions to suit every requirement for professional and domestic use.
RFID Radio Frequency ID Labels (to be incorporated in SALTT scanner offerings very soon.)
For Laundries, Textiles & Asset Tracking
Chosen where the label cannot be seen or in bulk track and tracing applications
For Laundries, Textiles & Asset Tracking
Chosen where the label cannot be seen or in bulk track and tracing applications
RFID labels go beyond conventional labeling to add new dimensions to automatic tracking of multiple items simultaneously without sight of the label/tag. RFID is the only solution for tracking things in harsh and dirty environments or where a conventional label is easily damaged, like on dairy cattle ear tags. Our small and extremely thin RFID labels for Workwear and Linen tracking are easily attached to any textile using a standard heat sealing machine. They are extremely robust to withstand high temperature, industrial laundering and dry cleaning.
Healthcare Labels
For Test Tubes, Vials, Microscope Slides & Syringes that need to be scanned and tracked
Chosen for the most extreme environments where security and durability is paramount
For Test Tubes, Vials, Microscope Slides & Syringes that need to be scanned and tracked
Chosen for the most extreme environments where security and durability is paramount
These destructible labels have instant tamper-indicating properties and are extremely difficult to peel off objects. Void labels have instant tamper-indicating properties that reveal a compact irreversible "VOID" message upon removal of the label from the substrate. These Thermal Transfer printed labels require no overlaminating film to protect your critical variable printed data. These labels have a cohesive bond high enough to withstand extreme thermal shock. The labels can be directly immersed in liquid nitrogen at -196°C without risk of delaminating. Users are also able to print the fine detail, batch and barcodes required for small vials and test-tubes, with confidence that all information is retained. Specialised labels also resist autoclave radiation, sterilisation and are resistant to the Xylene process used to clean microscope test slides.
Full Metal & Metallised Acrylic Labels
For Equipment used in harsh manufacturing environments like bakeries
Chosen where an adhesive label is unsuitable especially in food processing where very alkaline washes destroy conventional labels
For Equipment used in harsh manufacturing environments like bakeries
Chosen where an adhesive label is unsuitable especially in food processing where very alkaline washes destroy conventional labels
These are usually laser marked and tied with wire or riveted onto equipment. Any laser marked size or flat shape is available up to 100mm x 100mm. Engraved labels/panels are available up to 300mm x 200mm.