Mechanical Contractor Binsky & Snyder Taps ToolHound Tracking System For Streamlined Tool Inventory

EDMONTON, Alberta - Sept. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- ToolHound Inc (http://www.toolhound.com/)., a global supplier of tool management systems, announced that the ToolHound tracking solution is providing dependable inventory control and accountability forleading mechanical contractor Binsky and Snyder (http://www.binsky.com/). Managing both short and long-term projects, Binsky and Snyder serves a range of industries and clients throughout the Northeastern U.S.

According to John Anello, service department manager for Binsky and Snyder, his team uses ToolHound Online (http://www.toolhound.com/ToolHound-OnLine/toolhound-online.html)to track their inventory of small hand tools, large equipment and a few ‘gator’ utility vehicles. In addition to tracking tools valued above $1,000 and expensive equipment, such as welding machines, the company also tags some less expensive hand tools to keep track of recalibration status.

“We can have anywhere from 30-70 contracting jobs ongoing at any given time, using many different tools,” said Anello. “Our team of about 30 service technicians services equipment on each job site. We issue tools according to the job number and the technician’s name, so they are accountable for the tools.”

To tag their tools and equipment, Binsky and Snyder is using both radio frequency identification (RFID (http://www.toolhound.com/ToolHound-SecureCrib/toolhound-s...)) and barcode labels. The choice for each tool is dependent on tool use and storage conditions.

“If a tool goes back in its case for storage, we’re not worried about a barcode being damaged. We apply a stick-on barcode label on the tool where it will be protected in the case,” Anello explained. “However, if a tool stays out in the weather, we use an RFID tag because it’s more durable.”

Tagged equipment can be easily checked in and out by scanning the barcode label or RFID tag, enabling Binsky and Snyder to locate their complete tool inventory at all times. The company began using ToolHound in 2012, after many years of etching serial numbers on each tool and manually entering information into spreadsheets.

“Previously, when a tool was checked out, we wrote the serial number on a delivery ticket, and the numbers were later plugged into an Excel spreadsheet,” said Anello. “When tools were returned, the serial numbers were written down by the delivery truck driver.  Our turnaround was so fast, by the time you input data into the system, that tool may have been on three different jobs by then. The system was very cumbersome and problematic.”

“A manual system that relies on someone to input serial numbers into a spreadsheet can be time-consuming and prone to inaccuracies,” said Dean Perry, president of ToolHound. "With ToolHound Online, it’s quick and easy to set up the system, and new tools can be added to the secure database with very little effort.”

The ToolHound application has worked well for Binsky and Snyder, and the company is looking to tag more heavy equipment and larger tools.

“It was much easier to implement and use than I thought it would be,” said Anello. “All of the guys in the service shop are capable of scanning items and doing input. It alleviates a lot of work for me too.”

ToolHound Online (http://www.toolhound.com/ToolHound-OnLine/toolhound-onlin...) is a web-based system, including access to a secure data center, automatic data backups and ToolHound support services.

About ToolHound

Since 1985, ToolHound systems have been deployed by companies of all sizes across a variety of industries, including construction, power generation, chemical processing, mining and jobsite tool and equipment services. Specializing in personalized technical support with on-site training and installation expertise, ToolHound offers a  comprehensive portfolio of tool and equipment management solutions including Cloud hosting and customer controlled hosting with ToolHound Onsite (http://www.toolhound.com/Toolhound-OnSite/toolhound-onsit...) and SecureCrib featuring wireless, RFID and barcode technology.

For more information about ToolHound Tool and Equipment Tracking, call (800) 387-8665, or visit the company's website at www.ToolHound.com.