For Successful Tool Management Focus on People

“It is critical to build up our trust with our people, ShareMyToolbox helps us avoid wrong accusations or assumptions.”

People are the real solution

Far to often we try to use technology to take away the need for people to “think” for themselves. In construction this is a dangerous approach to people management. To effectively get projects built field personnel must think and make decisions everyday. Rather than trying to eliminate decision making we should be working to enable effective decision making by providing information and resources to help.

ShareMyToolbox customer Shawn Miller of Gilbert Mechanical explained, “Even with a team of 200 great guys in the field and office, tools would go missing, get misplaced, or get left behind.” Yet, he understood that technology couldn’t replace people when it came to responsible decision-making and accountability. “With these important factors at the core of my workforce, I knew my team could become more reliable, efficient and successful.” ShareMyToolbox has helped Miller to build a culture of responsibility.

A simple app can help

ShareMyToolbox creates an “inventory” of tools and allows a warehouse person to assign the tool to an employee who “accepts” it in the App. His/her responsibility for the tool is easily viewed by everyone in the company. Once the tool is returned to the warehouse, the name of the borrower is removed from the tool and everyone can see that it was returned.  If the tool moves from person to person rather than from person back to the warehouse, then that responsibility can be moved from person to person using the app. Every move of a tool is confirmed by both the person giving up the tool and the person receiving the tool. A simple swipe and tap is all it takes.

The right decision

Having been in the sheet metal, pipe fabrication and electrical contracting game for decades, Gilbert Mechanical knew they didn’t want to use an old command and control approach to tool tracking. Instead of relying on the “honor system” or putting in a complex inventory system in place, Miller decided it was important it not to add anything complicated to the mix for his team. He wanted a solution built on trust, not accusation. He wanted a solution that was simple and easy. 

Want More?

Read a longer article about Gilbert Mechanical’s tool tracking approach here.

Check out more ShareMyToolbox Tool Tracking Tips that cover a variety of subjects about tool management in construction.

If you’d like to learn more about modern tool tracking applications check out ShareMyToolbox or call, 866.768.8665.

Click here: to see How our Tool Tracking App Works.

More Tool Tracking Tips available including these articles:

Article on how to stop Tool Hoarding

Tool Tracking Beacon Technology Guide

Technology Alone is Not the Solution to Tool Theft

Tool Tracking is a Clear Way to Improve Operations