How to Manage Your Inventory When Returning to Office

Now that offices are opening back up, there are many things businesses should keep in mind when their employees return to office (RTO). Inventory management is among the most important. You may find that your workspace is cluttered, or that things aren’t as organized as they could be. Here are the steps you should follow to properly manage your inventory when returning to the office.

Step 1: Site Survey

In some ways, surveying your site can feel like dusting off the cobwebs after spending so much time away. Conducting a site survey will help you get a better idea of how much equipment installation will cost or even how expensive it will be to remove specific equipment. This process can be vital prior to embarking on a project, such as a move or technology upgrade, as you will want to reduce all hazards and risks associated with that project. If your team has been working remotely for the past several months, it can be challenging to know how to structure your site and plan projects without performing a site survey.

A site survey can also help determine where to place people as they return to the office. You can determine how to space workstations to adhere to social distancing guidelines if applicable and get things prepped for any new office equipment you might be bringing in. This is why it can be good to survey your site before bringing everyone back to work—it can lay the groundwork for the rest of your reorganization plans.

Step 2: Document

You should be sure to document your inventory early on in the RTO process. With everyone returning to the office, it can be easy to lose track of certain equipment, especially if you’ve checked it out to remote employees. Start by checking these items back in, taking careful count to ensure that everything returns to its proper place. You should also document the equipment already in the office that has remained there for the duration of your time away. This will help you determine which assets are most valuable and what you could let go of if you need to free up some space.

One of the best ways to document your inventory is by making an equipment inventory management checklist. This checklist contains information related to the age of your assets, how many items you have, and what you still need to purchase. There are many benefits to using a checklist, and you will be better equipped to perform preventative maintenance and improve efficiency overall.

Step 3: Standardize

Standardizing your devices can help ensure accuracy and create a seamless, cost-effective technology ecosystem. Standardizing your technology across the board can help you stay organized, mitigate risk, and optimize your work environment.

Another advantage of standardizing your inventory is getting employees on board with a more efficient system. When returning to the office after a long period of remote work, employees may not know how to manage inventory properly, and having a standardized system in place can help them put things back in the right spot.

Step 4: Outsource

If you’d like to take it one step further with your inventory management process, you can always outsource the job. Outsourcing fulfillment services is a convenient way for businesses manage their inventory. By properly managing your inventory, you can maximize your cash flow, improve scalability, increase your efficiency, and more.

While inventory management can be challenging for many companies, outsourcing can take a load off their shoulders and allow them to focus more of their efforts elsewhere. This is especially important during the RTO process. With everyone coming back to the office at once, you can easily get overwhelmed with your to-do list, but by partnering with an outsourcing partner you can put some of these worries to rest and allow them to do some of the heavy lifting associated with inventory management.

See How Teksetra Can Help!

More and more businesses are returning to work on-site, and this means preparations are underway to ensure a smooth transition. Inventory management is a painful but necessary part of bringing your employees back to the office. Teksetra is here to help you through the process as quickly and efficiently as possible. In addition to inventory management solutions, Teksetra can support your other RTO needs such as site surveys, equipment installation, and technical support.

Reach out today to learn more about how Teksetra can help you manage your inventory as you return to the office!