Packages are best described as assets that are clamped together such that they are always checked out and checked-in together. A number of assets can be clamped together to create a package using our asset tracking software. Actions such as check-in, checkout, reserve, and service, etc can then be performed directly on the package instead of the constituent assets. To do this, go to Settings → Add Ons → Packages → Enabled.
If your business requires flexibility, use bundles to combine items together to reserve and check out with ease and speed. A bundle acts like a checkout list which can be used to optimize checkouts based on item characteristics and availability. Learn More on Bundles.
1. When to use Packages
Use Packages when you frequently need to take the same action on a set of Assets. For example, a GPS tracker bolted to the dashboard in a truck. If the GPS tracker is Asset #1 and the Truck is Asset #2, these two assets will always be checked out, checked-in and reserved together. If the GPS tracker gets permanently damaged (which is a once in a blue moon occurrence), it can be removed from the truck and a new one can be installed. This is a perfect scenario where Packages should be used.
Packages can also be used where Assets are not literally attached with one another but are still checked out/in together. For example, a laptop bag, laptop and it’s charger. If you plan to use these together at all times, these can be packaged together. Assets in a Package cannot be checked-in/out, individually. Here is a screengrab for a laptop Package:
2. Create a new Package
You can create a new package from More → Packages → Add Package. Packages can only have Assets; Asset Stock and Inventory cannot be added to a package.
Let’s see how we create the Package for a laptop and its accessories.
Enable Packages from Settings → Add Ons → Packages.
Once enabled, go to More and click the ‘Packages’ button.
Click the ‘Add Package’ button on the right.
Fill in the data fields for Package name, description, and arbitration settings. Learn More on Arbitration.
Define which Assets you want to clamp together against the ‘Package Assets’ field. Note: You can only add Assets to a Package that are not checked out, in maintenance or have outstanding reservations.
Hit ‘Create Package’.
Once done, the Package Details Page will show a summary of the associated Assets.
Take the desired actions!
3. Take actions on a Package
Actions (including check-in, checkout, service, and reserve) affect all the Assets in a package, at once. For instance, the entire Package will be checked-in/out whenever one of the associated Assets is checked-in/out. To perform these actions individually on an Asset, the Asset has to be removed from the Package.
3.1. Check in, check out, or reserve a Package
Packages can be checked out, checked in, and reserved from their details pages. From the Package Details Page, click the ‘Checkout’ button on the right-side menu to check out a package. An overlay will appear; fill in the fields and click ‘Checkout’.
You can also take mass actions from the Package Listings Page. Go to More → Packages, select the relevant Packages, and click on ‘Actions’. You can take the following actions:
Check-in
Checkout
Reserve
Note: If a Package is not available for a mass action, a total count of Packages successfully acted upon will be displayed.
You can also apply the following filters to pull up specific Packages:
All Packages
Available Packages
Checked out Packages
Packages in custody of
3.3. Add Package to Cart
You can add a package to the cart from the Package Details page. Hit ‘Add to Cart’ button and the package will be added to the cart. You can then take actions on the package from the Cart page including checkout, reserve, move, print, or export, etc.
Items in a package will always be checked-in/out or reserved together as these items behave as one asset. However, you can re-assemble i.e. break or remake the package (packaged assets have to be available) when required (see image below). To do so, hit ‘Re-Assemble Package’ button within a Package details page.
3.5. Service Packaged Assets
You can schedule or start service or maintenance activity on a packaged Asset from its Details page. This will send all the Assets in that package to maintenance, not just that particular Asset. Completing a maintenance event will make the Assets available again for check outs and reservations. You can also record a service event if you want to make the Assets available.
