EZOfficeInventory (EZO) vs Asset Panda vs CHEQROOM: Which Equipment Management Solution is Right for You?

Still using spreadsheets and clipboards to track high-value gear? Then you’re likely losing time and money. Manual asset tracking can cost you hundreds of dollars, resulting in lost assets and productivity. The solution? Modern cloud-based equipment management platforms provide real-time visibility into where your assets are and who’s using them. 

The right asset management system for your business can help optimize usage, cut down overspending and manage asset ownership conveniently from a centralized platform. 

Choose a solution for your business as you go through this comparison guide on the top three asset tracking software available in the market. Let’s get started!

EZO vs Asset Panda vs CHEQROOM: A quick snapshot

EZOfficeInventory (EZO) 

EZO is an asset management solution that is best suited for medium to large enterprises with complex equipment and asset lifecycles. It tracks the complete lifecycle of assets from procurement to disposal with built-in maintenance management, usage analytics, and custody tracking. 

Large enterprises can also customize the app according to their workflows and set up approval tiers so nothing goes unnoticed. It also offers multiple integrations with Active Directory and ServiceDesk apps to hold all asset data in a central platform for enterprise ecosystems. 

How is EZO different? 

EZO stands out for its easy-to-adopt, simplified workflows and detailed record-keeping. You can create a comprehensive log in EZO for every tool or equipment, leaving behind a reliable audit trail. EZO offers features like maintenance scheduling, service tickets, and check-in/check-out tracking, making it ideal for equipment-intensive industries such as construction, healthcare, or IT that must keep assets in optimal condition for smooth operations. 

Asset Panda 

Asset Panda is best suited for teams seeking a highly customizable, mobile-first asset management platform. It offers a highly configurable interface, including unlimited custom fields, and a powerful mobile app with built-in barcode scanning. Asset Panda emphasizes app flexibility for maintenance checklists and action-based forms, and is known for checklist-oriented audits and inventory tracking. 

How is Asset Panda different?

Asset Panda is designed for organizations seeking a highly customizable, scalable asset management platform that quickly adapts to unique workflows. A major differentiator is its powerful, no-code configuration engine, which lets users tailor fields, forms, and processes without any IT help.

CHEQROOM 

CHEQROOM is designed mainly for AV/media production, IT teams, and education or event crews that rely on fast check-in/check-out cycles. The software provides user-friendly gear booking with visual asset catalogs. 

It also offers barcode scanning for assets via mobile along with smooth reservation workflows with calendar visibility. The software offers real-time equipment availability tracking, where you can see where each item is, who has it, and when it’s due back. 

How is CHEQROOM different? 

CHEQROOM is geared toward teams that prioritize ease of use and quick deployment when managing high-value equipment. It differentiates itself by maximizing asset visibility with minimal downtime. 

The app offers mobile-first features like QR/barcode scanning, and automated alerts to ensure users can track equipment status in real time. It offers scalable plans that enable growing businesses to start small and expand, all while keeping their asset management highly organized.

Industry fit comparison: EZO vs Asset Panda vs CHEQROOM

Each platform has areas where it outshines its counterparts. Here is a quick industry-wise comparison:

Key: ✅ = Strong fit, ⚠️ Limited = Can be used but with limitations, ❌ = Not well-suited out-of-the-box.

Solution Analysis: EZO vs Asset Panda vs CHEQROOM

Solution #1: Asset Tracking and Tagging

EZOfficeInventory (EZO): Offers multiple tagging technologies, including QR code and barcode scanning in the mobile app. Every asset has detailed history logs for checkouts, transfers, and service events recorded in EZO. The app also logs asset locations through GPS coordinates to record location data. There are quick checkout forms designed to help you checkout assets in a single tap. Tagging is simple and easy. You can generate and print barcode labels directly from the system and paste them onto assets.  EZO’s audit feature and detailed request management solution let admins track ownership and asset transfers at all times. 

Asset Panda: Highly robust in basic tracking. Every asset can be tagged with barcodes or QR codes and scanned through a mobile phone. These tags can be printed and assigned to assets. Asset Panda supports unlimited records in the cloud, giving teams the ability to upload large asset databases. However, advanced tags like RFID/NFC aren’t native and rely on third-party apps if needed. So mainly its strength lies in barcode-based tracking and extensive custom fields for status/condition updates. 

CHEQROOM: Focused on making asset tagging simple and visual. You can tag equipment with barcodes or QR codes and scan them using Cheqroom’s mobile app for check-outs. RFID support is not offered as a standard in Cheqroom. The app offers comprehensive records showing where each asset is, who has it, and in what condition. This makes a transparent audit trail capturing all user actions and changes for accountability. Cheqroom relies on users assigning items to locations for location tracking. 

Solution #2: Maintenance and Service Scheduling

Keeping equipment in top shape is crucial. Here’s how each solution supports maintenance workflows:

EZOfficeInventory (EZO): Offers a comprehensive maintenance management add-on with EZO CMMS. You can create service tickets for repairs or routine inspections and schedule recurring maintenance. The app lets you mark items “in service” automatically when due for maintenance, making users aware of downtime. EZO tracks service history, including each asset’s dates, costs, and vendor details. You can set email alerts and reminders for all these maintenance events so nothing falls through the cracks. With the EZO CMMS add-on, you can also schedule maintenance based on usage meters and information from IoT sensors.

Asset Panda: Provides solid maintenance tracking as part of its asset management features. You can schedule maintenance events for equipment and log details like mileage or service type. End-users can submit maintenance tickets/requests in the app and that record is stored for later. 

CHEQROOM: Integrates maintenance into equipment operations in a very user-friendly way. It allows you to flag items as damaged or in need of service right from the mobile app. You can schedule and automate preventive maintenance in the Cheqroom app.

Solution #3: Mobile App Functionality

All three solutions offer iOS/Android apps, but with some differences in capabilities:

EZOfficeInventory (EZO): EZO’s mobile app allows full functionality of the web app on the go. With the mobile app, users can scan asset tags, perform check-ins/checkouts, and update asset information. It does require connectivity for most actions; however, the offline app is also available for basic actions. The app also follows user-based access as set up in the web app. EZO also supports capturing e-signatures on the mobile app during checkouts, speeding up asset actions on the go. 

Asset Panda: Asset panda is often classified as a “mobile-first” app. Their app has all core features to add/edit assets, perform audits, and check in/out items. As a great bonus, the Asset Panda app can operate offline and sync later. You can view and update asset info even with no signal, then data syncs when back online. For technicians and auditors, the app offers features like mobile audits & inspections with checklists. 

CHEQROOM: Cheqroom’s mobile app is extremely popular for daily users like equipment managers and IT support staff because it’s simple and focused on the tasks at hand. From the app, you can book equipment and scan items out/in. The design is geared towards quick actions, such as tapping a reservation to convert it to a checkout. The Cheqroom app doesn’t have an offline mode, but it’s designed to be very responsive online. 

Solution #4: Reservations and Check-In/Out Workflows

All three systems handle asset reservations and checkouts, with slightly different capabilities:

EZOfficeInventory (EZO): Provides a highly flexible reservation system with the ability to reserve items in advance for specific time periods to prevent scheduling conflicts. EZO’s availability calendar lets you see all bookings and due dates in one place, helping users reserve the right items. Going a notch above EZO supports approval workflows for reservations through its “Arbitration” and multi-tier approval features. You can set up manager approval upon item reservation or checkout. This is great for organizations that need oversight for expensive item checkouts. Moreover, EZO enables you to track and maintain ownership during checkouts by capturing electronic signatures and assigning return dates. Alerts and reminders are regularly sent for items that are overdue for quick returns. To encourage self-serve checkouts and reservations, EZO offers a customizable request management solution that caters to high-frequency checkout requests. 

Asset Panda: Asset Panda takes a straightforward yet flexible approach. It has a check-in/check-out feature that maintains a history of who has what and where, and can send notifications when something is due back. Asset Panda’s reservation capability functions through a calendar interface similar to EZO’s. It lacks a built-in approval flow, but an admin could work around this by using custom status fields or notifications. 

CHEQROOM: This is where Cheqroom offers a solid package. It’s purpose-built for reservations and loans of equipment. Users can self-serve to reserve gear through a calendar or list view subject to permissions. The system prevents double-bookings and even offers a “Equipment Availability” calendar so you can see at a glance what’s free or booked on any given day. Cheqroom does not offer approvals by default.  

Solution #5: Integrations and API Access

Integration with other tools is often a deciding factor for medium and large-sized organizations to make sure they’re tracking all their asset-related data in one place. Here’s how the three solutions fare on integrations:

EZOfficeInventory (EZO): Offers a rich set of integrations and open API access. EZO has REST APIs available so developers can build custom integrations. It also natively integrates with common tools such as Topaz and Zapier. In popular AD integrations, EZO supports SAML, LDAP, Okta and Azure for single sign-ons and user provisioning, making it easy to manage users across different platforms. It also offers user provisioning through Google Workspace and OneLogin.  For service desk integrations, EZO offers integrations with Jira and Zendesk for faster issue resolution. All of your asset records are directly pulled up in the helpdesk for convenience. In short, EZO is very integration-friendly, which is vital for enterprises to connect asset data with an ERP system or import users from Azure AD. 

Asset Panda: Asset Panda has multiple integrations focusing on IT and enterprise workflows. It provides a comprehensive set of direct integrations with systems like Microsoft Azure AD, Okta SSO, Google Workspace, and OneLogin. There’s also a Zendesk integration module for help desk integration. An integration with DocuSign is also available in Asset Panda to collect signatures on forms. 

CHEQROOM: Being a more compact product, Cheqroom has fewer native integrations but covers the essentials. The most notable integration is Calendar sync. Cheqroom can integrate with Google Calendar or Outlook so that reservations show up in users’ calendars, improving visibility into scheduling. It also supports some basic SSO options such as OneLogin and Okta. The Cheqroom team also provides an API-based automation toolkit for integrations such as Zapier. 

Solution #6: Reporting and Analytics

Data insights are key to optimizing asset usage and making sure you’re getting the bang out of your “asset” bucks. All three solutions provide reporting with varying flexibility:

EZOfficeInventory (EZO): The app offers in-depth support for running reports and analytics. It has a range of built-in reports, including check-in/out history, asset utilization rate, maintenance costs, depreciation, and audit history. You can also build custom reports to suit your business needs. The report module in EZO supports scheduled reports where you can directly send reports (CSV or PDF) to stakeholders. Other than reports, EZO has a strong analytical Dashboard that pulls up critical KPIs for asset usage, maintenance costs, and inventory stock. 

Asset Panda: Provides all standard reports required to track assets. It has reporting on inventory counts, check-out history, audit results, maintenance history, depreciation, and more. However, Asset Panda allows customization of reports to a certain degree, where you can only choose which fields to include and apply filters to suit your criteria. This results in many users simply exporting data via CSV to do analysis in Excel. On the flip side, Asset Panda’s interface doesn’t have fancy analytics dashboards. It offers list-based summary stats on the home screen. 

CHEQROOM: Offers straightforward, and somewhat limited, reporting capabilities oriented around asset usage and status. Cheqroom provides built-in reports for asset check-outs, reservation history, equipment usage frequency, and maintenance logs. These reports can be filtered by date range and other parameters,  and exported easily. The interface does not offer an analytics dashboard, but lets you run specific reports as needed. The dashboard in Cheqroom is relatively simple, providing an overview of how many items are available, checked out, or overdue, presented visually with a couple of charts. There is no custom report builder where you can add fields according to your preference. 

Pricing and Customer Support Comparison

1. Pricing Models

Choosing the right solution also means finding one that fits your budget and pricing preferences. 

Here’s a comparison of pricing approaches for Cheqroom, Asset Panda, and EZO:

EZO’s pricing is relatively affordable for small teams with starting packages around $50-$60/month which scales by assets. All pricing is transparent and you can purchase your plan according to the number of assets you own. 

Asset Panda requires a larger upfront investment, minimum  being ~$1,500/year. This covers unlimited users and is often more cost-effective for bigger teams. To get the full pricing quote, you will need to engage with their sales representative to get an estimate. 

Cheqroom’s pricing lies somewhat in the middle range. Its basic plan of around $100/month is listed publicly, but many features like multiple locations or advanced reports are included in higher plans that require a quote. 

All three offer free trials to evaluate the software hands-on.

2. Onboarding & Customer Success

The level of customer support and troubleshooting can be a critical factor when it comes to choosing an asset management solution. Here’s how Cheqroom, Asset Panda, and EZO compare in terms of onboarding, training, and ongoing support:

Onboarding and Support:

EZO (EZOfficeInventory):During the trial period, the app offers a step-by-step guide to get users accustomed to the workflows. During trial or purchase, you can look up the help section in the app to view blogs and how-to articles to assist you. Many users note that EZO’s support was “responsive and helpful, especially during onboarding”, ensuring a smooth implementation. EZO also offers implementation support for complex setups dealing with a huge variety of assets. The extensive Knowledge Base and FAQs is a great resource for admins through everything from initial setup to advanced features. 

Source: G2

Asset Panda: Being a sales-driven product, Asset Panda typically starts with a 1:1 demo and a tailored trial. They don’t charge a setup fee and aim to help customers get running without extra cost. However, Asset Panda’s formal onboarding is a bit more DIY in the sense that the customer has to configure the system themselves with guidance from online resources. Asset Panda lacks a robust public knowledge base but offers video tutorials. Whereas, customer support is mainly available through email or reaching out to their team for help through calls. 

CHEQROOM: Cheqroom is known for its quick setup. Due to its user-friendly UI, even non-technical staff members are able to get it up and running in a day or two.  Cheqroom provides personalized support for onboarding and appoints customer success reps, especially for premium customers. The platform has a detailed Help Center with guides and tooltips throughout the app. Cheqroom’s UI is considered intuitive enough that small teams often set it up with minimal help. However, for larger organizations, Cheqroom’s Enterprise package includes a dedicated implementation specialist to help tailor workflows. 

Final Verdict: Choosing Between EZO, Asset Panda, and CHEQROOM

Choosing an asset management solution for your organization depends on your specific needs and the types of assets you own. EZOfficeInventory (EZO) can be a good choice if you’re a growing mid-market or enterprise business that needs end-to-end asset lifecycle visibility and granular control. EZO is the holistic all rounder that covers asset tracking, maintenance, and analytics in depth. It’s an ideal choice if you have complex workflows, and want a system that can be tailored to your needs.

On the other hand, Asset Panda offers high mobile flexibility and extreme customization in your workflows, especially for IT or general asset tracking use cases. Choose CHEQROOM if you’re managing AV, media, or IT equipment that is frequently checked out and reserved. 

Ready to decide? If you’re leaning towards EZO and want to experience asset management for your workflows, then take the next step. 

Schedule a demo with EZOfficeInventory to see how it can fit your team’s needs and to ask any specific questions about your scenario. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the key differences between EZOfficeInventory, Asset Panda, and Cheqroom in terms of asset tagging?

EZO offers versatile asset tagging options including QR codes, barcodes, and RFID. Asset Panda focuses on barcode and QR code scanning, but lacks support for RFID. Cheqroom provides QR and barcode tagging, but does not support RFID, which can be a limitation for businesses with large asset inventories or complex tracking needs.

2. Which asset management platform is the best for maintenance management?

EZO stands out for its advanced maintenance management features, including preventive maintenance scheduling, automated reminders, and detailed service history tracking. Asset Panda provides basic maintenance tracking but lacks the advanced automation features that EZO offers. Cheqroom has solid maintenance tracking but is less comprehensive compared to EZO.

3. How do the reporting capabilities compare across EZO, Asset Panda, and Cheqroom?

EZO offers robust, customizable reporting and analytics, with scheduled reports sent directly to stakeholders. Asset Panda’s reporting is less flexible and often requires exporting data to CSV for further analysis. Cheqroom provides basic reporting features but lacks the depth and customization options of EZO’s reporting tools.