Radio inventory and tracking software

[radioman2001]

Many years ago I had a copy of a freeware radio inventory and tracking software which I cannot remember the name of. I have since moved on from working and would like to see if it is still available, as I have been tasked to inventory and maintain my VFD radios.
Yes I could use Excel, but this package was a very basic form that was all I needed at the time.

 

[fire_master_21]

Radio Quick Tracker

 

[radioman2001]

Appears to be gone, at least looking through "G"

 

[chief21]

Yes I could use Excel, but this package was a very basic form that was all I needed at the time.

If you end up having to roll your own, I'd suggest the use of a real database, rather than a spreadsheet like Excel. Spreadsheets excel (sorry!) at numbers and calculations, while databases manipulate data types. A database will also give you the ability to easily develop input forms and reports, as well as much more flexibility as your data grows.

 

[radioman2001]

Yea your are right about Excel, and I was going to use Access database like we had when I was still working even though it was very large. I might use their template since it's just going to be a very basic tracking of who has what radio, how old is the battery (A BIG problem). Which division has what brand radio etc.

 

[MTS2000des]

It's expensive, but we use CommShop 360. It is well worth it if you maintain large inventory of trunked subscribers across multiple disparate trunking systems with different radio IDs.

Commshop │ #1 Radio Asset, Inventory + Work Order Software | Mcmtech

The gold standard asset, inventory + service request software for radio systems and shops. The only solution that can integrate with radio systems. By Mcmtech.

mcmtechnology.com

 

[KE4ZNR]

It's expensive, but we use CommShop 360. It is well worth it if you maintain large inventory of trunked subscribers across multiple disparate trunking systems with different radio IDs.

Commshop │ #1 Radio Asset, Inventory + Work Order Software | Mcmtech

The gold standard asset, inventory + service request software for radio systems and shops. The only solution that can integrate with radio systems. By Mcmtech.

mcmtechnology.com

CommShop 360 is amazing. Does a great job with keeping up with Repairs/Swaps/ETC.
I could not do my job from day to day without it.
Well worth every penny.

 

[phask]

Yea your are right about Excel, and I was going to use Access database like we had when I was still working even though it was very large. I might use their template since it's just going to be a very basic tracking of who has what radio, how old is the battery (A BIG problem). Which division has what brand radio etc.

As a former (as in moons ago) database admin. Go with Access. You can create muliple relataed DB's and run reports that will show anything.

Seperate Db for battery, user,radio and any other items that can be separated.

I say all this having never learned more than basic Access I'm from DB4 and a few other ones that are long gone..

 

[wa8pyr]

It's expensive, but we use CommShop 360. It is well worth it if you maintain large inventory of trunked subscribers across multiple disparate trunking systems with different radio IDs.

Commshop │ #1 Radio Asset, Inventory + Work Order Software | Mcmtech

The gold standard asset, inventory + service request software for radio systems and shops. The only solution that can integrate with radio systems. By Mcmtech.

mcmtechnology.com

At my former job, we used the radio management database from MCM Technology. Good stuff; had invoices and everything built in, would automatically calculate the invoice amount. Also had a service tracking module so any time we got a radio in for service, we could note the date last serviced and etc. We had MCM on an annual service contract and hosted in the cloud so we could access it from anywhere.

At the current job (with lots fewer radios and fewer headaches than the old place) I use a database I developed myself using Filemaker Pro, which suits my needs nicely.

 

[iMONITOR]

If you want to create your own for free try LibreOffice. It's a FREE Open Source Microsoft Office clone. It has an excellent database portion that is powerful and easy to use. Make custom database, input forms/screens and reports. Powerful feature. They have pre-made templates as well.

LibreOffice

Base | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft

Base, database, database frontend, LibreOffice, ODF, Open Standards, SQL, ODBC

www.libreoffice.org

 

[phask]

If you want to create your own for free try LibreOffice. It's a FREE Open Source Microsoft Office clone. It has an excellent database portion that is powerful and easy to use. Make custom database, input forms/screens and reports. Powerful feature. They have pre-made templates as well.

LibreOffice

Base | LibreOffice - Free and private office suite - Based on OpenOffice - Compatible with Microsoft

Base, database, database frontend, LibreOffice, ODF, Open Standards, SQL, ODBC

www.libreoffice.org

To jump on this - I highly recommend Libre. Used it for several years.

The full Microsoft Office package has been $49.99 through STackSocial Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License | StackSocial.

They have had it as low as 29 or 39 recently. I picked up a copy and it actually does some things better than Libre.

 

[radioman2001]

Thank you for all the ideas, this is a small VFD I have taken over as radio officer. There is less than 100 pcs of equipment, but my main concern which up until now has been overlooked is batteries on front line fire radios over 10 years old. I need to show that most of our equipment is reaching EOL which M has already done, and the original batteries with 2013 code dates.

I may take up the Office offer sound decent.

 

[jeepsandradios]

If this is for a FD ask them if they already have an inventory system. We use our program for SAR for call entry, training, inventory, repairs and all. Its all built in. I can run a report to show every radio, who its assigned to, when it was assigned and if any repairs have been made. Many FD's have similar software yet never use it to its potential. Just a thought.

 

[radioman2001]

No inventory has been done in at least 10 years, and there are boxes of stuff everywhere.

 

[radioman2001]

To update, there was an inventory sheet, probably from the county with model, serial and RID's. There is no date on it, but just perusing through I have found a lot of errors so I decided to just start from scratch.
Most of the stuff found in boxes is from the previous VHF analog LTR system, and some older Min III pagers. Probably the portables will be repurposed as training radios, and the mobiles updated with new frequencies as a town-wide backup.
There is a major upgrade coming in 2 years so all radios have to meet that standard, meaning I have to read every radio and see if the radio is capable, reprogrammable or needs replacing.
BTW I found the progam listed above from another user (Thank you), and it is just a template from Access Database. It should suffice until it's decided to go with something else.

Thanks to all who contributed

 

[waynedc]

Maybe you can tailor the spreadsheet used by wildland fire folks for tracking radios:

https://www.nifc.gov/sites/default/files/NIICD/docs/NIRSC%20Excel%20Radio%20Database_BETA_V2022.2.xlsm

 

[speedway_navigator]

The full Microsoft Office package has been $49.99 through STackSocial Microsoft Office Professional 2021 for Windows: Lifetime License | StackSocial.

They have had it as low as 29 or 39 recently. I picked up a copy and it actually does some things better than Libre.

I've been looking at that, have seen it at about double on some other sites. Any issues? It seems too good to be true.
I still have office XP pro running on my quick books PC for exporting reports during tax season.

I like the idea of not having to let office run its click to run service in the background.

 

[phask]

I've been looking at that, have seen it at about double on some other sites. Any issues? It seems too good to be true.
I still have office XP pro running on my quick books PC for exporting reports during tax season.

I like the idea of not having to let office run its click to run service in the background.

None at all. full blow program with zero issues.

 

[2154]

It may not track everything you want but who do you use for the rest of your equipment? FirePrograms, ER, & some of the others have inventory trackers built in where you can input your radios and make notes of trunked system IDs, batteries, etc. If you got them on a FEMA grant, you should be doing some of this already with the big stuff and it makes it easy to track long term.

 

[jeepsandradios]

It may not track everything you want but who do you use for the rest of your equipment? FirePrograms, ER, & some of the others have inventory trackers built in where you can input your radios and make notes of trunked system IDs, batteries, etc. If you got them on a FEMA grant, you should be doing some of this already with the big stuff and it makes it easy to track long term.

Agree. Both agencies I belong to have software for member hour tracking, training and multiple modules. Most if not all have an inventory option also. The issue normally is garbage in garbage out. If you dont enter the data its not much use.