Introduction

XAM is our asset management and monitoring solution - https://www.xejic.com/products.html. It is a SaaS platform to track, reserve, and manage fixed and movable assets across multiple departments.

Understanding Assets

Asset

An Asset is an individual, physical item that is tracked and managed in the system. Each asset has its own unique tag, serial number, and associated metadata such as purchase date, cost, ownership type (leased or owner), depreciation etc. These assets are tracked from acquisition to disposal.

Asset Models

An Asset Model represents a grouping that defines the common characteristics of a specific asset. Multiple individual assets belong to the same asset model.

As an example, Canon EOS C300 Mark III camera would be the asset model. All individual Canon EOS C300 Mark III cameras with details such as purchase date, cost, ownership type (leased or owned), depreciation etc. would be an asset grouped under the asset model.

A single asset model can be associated with multiple individual assets. For example, a company may have 5 or 10 Canon EOS C300 Mark III cameras, all of which fall under the same model.

Adding an asset model

In order to use the system, you will have to save your assets onto the system. First you will need to create an asset model which is a template for a collection of assets. Navigate to the Asset Models menu in the sidebar to see a list of asset models. To add a new asset model click on the new button. Fill out the relevant information and save the model.

An asset model can be belong to a category. To manage catagories navigate to Administration > Categories Menu. Here you can add and manage categories.

An asset model can also be assigned to a manufacturer. To manage manufacturers navigate to Administration > Manufacturers Menu. Here you can add and manage manufacturers.

Adding an asset

Once your asset model is created you can start to create your assets. Navigate to the Assets Menu in the sidebar to see a list of assets. To add a new Asset click on the new button. Fill out the relevant information and save the asset.

Activate an Asset

By default Assets are saved as Draft. Click on the Activate button to make the Asset active

Understanding Kits

Kit

A Kit is a group or collection of multiple assets that are bundled together for specific purposes. Kits are useful when you need to manage and check out multiple assets as a single unit. For example, a kit might include several pieces of equipment required for a specific task, and it can contain assets of different types or models.

Kit Model

A Kit Model represents a grouping that defines the common characteristics of a specific kit. Multiple individual kits belong to the same kit model.

Examples:
  • Remote Work Kit: This kit might include a laptop, a mouse, a monitor, and a docking station, all bundled together for employees who work from home.
  • Camera Kit: A kit used for events that includes a camera, tripod, and memory cards, all of which are individual assets grouped together as a set.

Adding a Kit Model

Create an Kit model which is a template for a collection of assets. Navigate to the Kit Models menu in the sidebar to see a list of kit models. To add a new kit model click on the new button. Fill out the relevant information and save the kit model.

Creating a Kit

A kit is a collection of assets. Now that you have created a kit model navigate to the Kits menu in the sidebar and click on New to create a new kit. Save the Kit as a draft if you want to remove assets from the kit without providing a reason. Once the kit is live, you will have to provide a reason for removing an asset from a kit.

By default Kits are saved as Draft. Click on the Activate button to make the Kit active

Managing a Kit

After creating a new Kit, you can click on Add Assets to add assets to the Kit.

There will be a pop up where you can search and add assets to the kit.

Once assets are added, you can use the same flow to delete assets from a kit. You will need to give a reason for deleting an asset from a kit.

Reasons can be set up in the Reasons master data section under Administration > Reasons.

Requests

Our asset management system provides a structured process for users to request, reserve, and check out assets or kits. This three-step workflow ensures efficient allocation and tracking of assets from request to usage.

In order to reserve an asset or a kit, users initiate the process by submitting a Request. This request is done at a Kit model/ Asset model level. It does not guarantee an asset’s availability; rather it shows the demand for a specific type of asset or kit. Users enter the start date and the end date for which they require the asset.

They then select asset models/ kit models that they would like to reserve and place a request. Once the request is placed, they are reviewed by administrators to start the actual reservation process.

Reservation

In the next step, an administrator reviews submitted requests and converts them into Reservations if the assets /kits for the specified models are available. This is the step where an actual asset or a kit is reserved against a user request. Kits/Assets that are already reserved during the dates specified will not be shown here. The administrators select available Kits and Assets and reserve it against the user.

Individual items in the request/reservation can be assigned to different users. The dates can also be changed within the range specified. This ensures great flexibility in resource allocation.

Checkout

On the scheduled reservation date, the user checks out the allocated asset. The system updates the asset’s status to reflect that it is actively assigned to a user. The asset remains checked out until it is returned at the end of the reservation period via a checkin process.

  • Direct Checkout - Assets and Kits can be checked out by the adminstrator without reservations as well.
  • An asset that is part of a kit cannot be checked out individually.

Audits

At any given point of time, an asset or a kit can be audited. There are 3 specific actions that can be performed - Audit, Archive and Flag. In order to archive an asset

Performing an Audit

You can perform an audit using the following steps:

From the Kit Page
  • Navigate to the Kit page.
  • Click on Manage Assets
  • Select the Audit Icon next to the asset you want to audit.
From the Asset Page
  • Go to the Asset Page .
  • Click on the three dots next to the edit and back button.
  • Select Audit Asset from the dropdown.
From the Asset List Page
  • Go to the Asset List Page.
  • Click on the three dots in the last column.
  • Select Audit Asset from the dropdown.

Audit

An audit is a process where the asset is verified and reviewed. This may be useful for documentation purposes.

  • To audit an asset select the Audit radio button in the pop up.
  • You can select a reason. Reasons are maintained in your reasons master data. This is optional
  • You can choose to add a note. This is optional
  • If the asset is a part of a kit, you can choose to remove it from the kit unless the kit is checkedout.
  • Clicking on save will add an audit entry along with the action

Archive

Archiving an asset permanently removes it from active use, making it unavailable for operational activities. This action is irreversible. Archived assets are accessible only through reports for historical reference

  • To archive an asset select the Archive radio button in the pop up.
  • You must select a reason. Reasons are maintained in your reasons master data. This is mandatory.
  • Optional - You can choose to add a note.
  • If the archived asset is part of a kit, it will automatically be removed from the kit and the kit will be marked as defective.
  • Kits marked as defective can still be checked out. If you want to prevent a defective kit from being checked out, you will need to manually mark it as inactive.
  • In order to clear defects manually click on the kit and click the button clear defects to clear the defects and mark the kit as defect free
  • You can archive an asset that is checked out as part of a kit and it will remove it from the kit.

Flag

Flagging an asset indicates that it needs attention, but the issue is not severe enough to justify archiving it. You can select a reason for flagging, which will be saved for future reference. If the flagged asset is part of a kit, you can choose to remove it from the kit without marking the entire kit as defective.

  • To flag an asset select the flag radio button in the pop up.
  • You can select a reason. Reasons are maintained in your reasons master data. This is optional
  • You can choose to add a note. This is optional
  • If the asset is a part of a kit, you can choose to remove it from the kit unless the kit is checkedout. If an asset is checked out, it can be flagged but not removed from the kit. To remove the flagged asset, ensure the kit is checked in first. For example, if you suspect an asset is broken, flag it, check in the kit, and then proceed with removing the asset.
  • Clicking on save will add an audit entry for a flag
  • If you click on Audit of a flagged asset it will give you an option to Unflag
  • Kits with flagged assets are automatically flagged. When all flags are cleared from the assets the kit flag is automatically cleared

FAQ

Before auditing assets/kits, ensure your reasons are setup in the reasons section. Go to Administration -> Reasons. And setup the reasons.

To view reports navigate to Reports in the side menu.

Audit Report

The audit report gives a detailed report on assets, and actions performed on the assets. You can filter by the action on the assets e.g Archived and filter by the reason as to why it was Archived as well.

Purchase Report

The purchase report gives a list of assets filtered by purchase date.