Inventory Bar Coding

The Bar Coding module available with the RedAlert™ Fire Department Management System gives departments the ability to count, track, and help locate inventory throughout the department with the quick and easy method of scanning a bar code located on an inventory item. The Bar Coding module links with the Inventory Module to create a seamless information path to track inventory.

Personnel simply scan the inventory found in all locations and upload the data to the system. The RedAlert™ then compares the uploaded information with that on the system. Items found in the wrong location are marked. Users can then make the necessary corrections.

The RedAlert™ Inventory Management System uses the bar code reader to accomplish several functions:

• Scan all inventory on an apparatus or other defined location and produce an exception report stating which inventory is missing or in the wrong place.
• Scan a label to determine the appropriate location for the piece of inventory.

The RedAlert™ System classifies inventory into four basic groups:

General Inventory

Includes pagers, ladders, nozzles, heavy equipment etc.

Hose

Includes batch testing of hoses as well as general information.

Apparatus

Includes general information, specifications, inspections scheduling and history, maintenance scheduling and history.

SCBA

Includes air bottle hydro dates, mask flow dates and purchase information.

Additional Features

• Records Location and compartmental location for every inventory item.
• Identify where an item should be located by scanning it.
• Assign inventory to apparatus compartment and sub compartment.
• Scan inventory on an apparatus or other defined location and produce exception reports identifying which inventory is missing or misplaced.
• Track ownership and equipment history simply and easily.

Implementation

The bar coding module uses a bar code attached to the item. Information about the inventory item can be stored in the bar code reader for use on the fire ground. Alpine Software Corporation also works with several companies that offer a services to assist fire departments in setting up a fixed assets inventory management system. This service includes:

• Development of a complete inventory strategy. This includes setting up inventory locations, sub-locations and classifications.
• Comprehensive tagging of all equipment and locations in your fire department.

Complete entry of all inventory items into the master database.

Full training on the use of hardware and software.

This optional service provides a turnkey inventory system that is ready for future reporting requirements at budget time. Alpine has also converted inventory databases from other stand-alone bar code inventory systems. This service eliminates the need to re-enter all of your inventory records.

Upload / Download Functions

The RedAlert™ System includes an Upload / Download function for communicating with the Bar Coding equipment.

• Works with several types of readers.
• Gives instant notification of missing or misplaced inventory.
• Useful for building inventory database.