RedBeam

What is RedBeam

RedBeam is a specialized software solution designed for tracking physical assets and inventory. Its main purpose is to give organizations clear visibility and control over their items, from office equipment like laptops to warehouse stock. The system uses barcode and RFID technology to monitor the location, status, and movement of items. This helps companies reduce loss, improve the speed of audits, and manage resources more effectively. Founded in 2004, RedBeam has a long history of providing data capture and tracking solutions for businesses of various sizes, from small companies to large enterprises, across many industries.

RedBeam Features

RedBeam offers a set of focused features to handle different tracking needs:

• Asset Tracking: This feature allows you to manage the complete lifecycle of your fixed assets. You can know where every item is, who has it, and its current condition. It is useful for audits, maintenance scheduling, and calculating depreciation.
• Inventory Tracking: Manage your stock levels with precision. This module helps you track the movement of inventory in and out of your stockroom, preventing shortages or overstock situations. It makes processes like cycle counts much faster.
• RFID Tracking: For advanced needs, RedBeam uses RFID technology to automate tracking. RFID tags can be read from a distance without a direct line of sight, which greatly increases efficiency and accuracy, especially in large environments like warehouses or data centers.
• Mobile Scanning: Use handheld scanners or mobile devices to scan barcodes and RFID tags on the go. This makes it easy to update asset information from anywhere in your facility.
• Check-in and Check-out: Easily assign assets to employees or locations. The system keeps a complete history of who used an item and when, increasing accountability.
• Reporting and Analytics: Generate detailed reports on asset history, inventory levels, audit results, and more. These reports provide valuable insights for making better business decisions.

RedBeam Pricing Plans

RedBeam offers several pricing plans tailored to the needs of different organizations. The pricing is typically customized based on the number of assets, users, and specific features required.

• Small Business Plan: This plan is designed for smaller companies that need a straightforward solution for asset or inventory tracking. It usually includes core features for a limited number of users and assets.
• Professional Plan: Aimed at mid-sized businesses, this tier offers more advanced features, such as enhanced reporting, more user licenses, and support for a larger volume of assets. It often includes both asset and inventory tracking modules.
• Enterprise Plan: This is the most comprehensive plan for large organizations. It includes all features, such as RFID tracking, API access for integrations, and premium support. The plan is highly scalable to handle thousands of assets across multiple locations.

RedBeam Free Plan

RedBeam does not offer a permanent free plan. However, they provide a free 30-day trial for potential customers. This trial typically gives you access to the full features of the software, allowing you to test its capabilities with your own assets and workflows before making a purchase decision. To start the trial, you usually need to request it through their website.

How to use RedBeam

Getting started with RedBeam involves a few simple steps to set up your tracking system:

1. Initial Setup: After signing up, the first step is to configure the software. This includes defining asset categories, locations (e.g., Office A, Warehouse B), and adding users to the system.
2. Tag Your Items: Attach barcode labels or RFID tags to each asset or inventory item you want to track. RedBeam can help you generate and print these labels.
3. Add Items to the System: Scan the tag of each new item and enter its details into the RedBeam database. This includes information like name, purchase date, cost, and initial location.
4. Track Movements: Use a mobile scanner to perform actions like checking an asset out to an employee, moving it to a new location, or conducting an inventory count. Every scan updates the item's record in real-time.
5. Conduct Audits: To perform an audit, simply go to a location and scan all the items there. The system will automatically compare the scanned items against the database and report any missing or misplaced assets.
6. Generate Reports: Use the reporting feature to get an overview of your assets, check inventory levels, or review the history of a specific item.

Pros and Cons of RedBeam

Pros:

• Specialized Solution: The software is highly focused on asset and inventory tracking, making it very effective for this purpose.
• Supports Barcode and RFID: Offers flexibility by supporting both traditional barcodes and more advanced RFID technology.
• Scalable: The platform can be used by small businesses and can scale up to meet the complex needs of large enterprises.
• Improves Accuracy: Automating the tracking process significantly reduces human errors compared to manual spreadsheets.
• Long-standing Company: With history since 2004, the company has deep experience in the data capture industry.

Cons:

• Requires Hardware: To use the system effectively, you need to invest in barcode scanners or RFID readers, which is an additional cost.
• Opaque Pricing: Pricing is not publicly listed on their website, which requires you to contact sales for a quote.
• Setup Time: The initial process of tagging every asset and entering it into the system can be time-consuming.
• May Be Too Much for Simple Needs: For very small businesses with only a few assets, the system might be more powerful than necessary.

RedBeam integrations

RedBeam is designed to connect with other business systems through its REST API. This allows for the synchronization of data between RedBeam and your existing software, creating a more unified workflow. While specific pre-built integrations are not listed, the API enables connections with:

• ERP Systems: Connect with systems like NetSuite, SAP, or Microsoft Dynamics to sync asset and inventory data with your financial records.
• IT Asset Management (ITAM) Software: Integrate with IT management tools to keep track of IT equipment like laptops, servers, and printers.
• Warehouse Management Systems (WMS): Share inventory data with your WMS to ensure stock levels are accurate across all platforms.
• Accounting Software: Link with accounting tools to automate the process of asset depreciation and financial reporting.

RedBeam Alternatives

• Asset Panda: A highly customizable, cloud-based asset tracking platform known for its user-friendly mobile app. It is a strong alternative for companies that need flexibility and want to use their own smartphones for scanning.
• Wasp Barcode Technologies: A direct competitor that offers both asset tracking software and a wide range of hardware, including scanners and label printers. They provide complete, bundled solutions.
• EZOfficeInventory: A popular tool for equipment rental and asset management, widely used in education, non-profits, and IT departments. It has strong features for scheduling and maintenance.
• Sortly: A visual inventory and asset tracking app aimed at small to medium-sized businesses. It is known for its simple, intuitive interface that uses photos to help manage items.

RedBeam API

Yes, RedBeam provides a REST API for developers. This API allows you to integrate RedBeam's tracking capabilities with other software applications your organization uses, such as ERP or accounting systems. You can use it to programmatically add, update, or retrieve information about assets and inventory, which helps in automating workflows and ensuring data consistency across platforms.

To get access to the API and receive an API key, you typically need to be a customer on a plan that includes API access, such as their Enterprise plan. You would then find documentation and credentials in your customer portal or by contacting their support team.

An example of a conceptual API call might look like this (in cURL):

curl -X GET 'https://api.redbeam.com/v1/assets/12345' \
-H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'

This command would fetch the details for an asset with the ID '12345'.

RedBeam Affiliate program

There is no public information available about a formal affiliate program for RedBeam. Companies like RedBeam often work with partners, resellers, or consultants through a more structured partner program. If you are interested in promoting RedBeam or becoming a partner, it is best to contact their sales or support team directly through their website to inquire about any available partnership opportunities.