Tool Check Out and labeling small items

[WDD]

I'd like to make a tool check in/out db for work. It would have a barcode scanner with this db so the user can quickly scan an employee's ID, the tools needed to be checked out, and a closing barcode to close that person's check-out session. When an item comes back that item can be scan in, added back into inventory and removed from that employee's check-out list. The barcode number would be my primary key. I know a library book rental db would be a good template or start, but I have a few problems I can't seem to solve.

1. Tools too small for barcodes:
There's going to be drill bits, sockets, and other small tools too little for barcodes or used in harsh ways where barcodes won't hold up on that item. How can I enter items into a db where that's the case?
- I was thinking of putting the barcodes on the containers where the items are stored, but there are more than one of that item (ie. 10x 1/4in. drill bits, 5x 1/2in. sockets, etc...) I can see the db checking out a 1/4in. drill bit for person A and then person B, but how would it know to check back in that item for the right person? Is there a better way to identify these items?



2. Sometimes we get tools back found by other employees and that's why it's important to be able to identify that item. If it's one of those sockets or bits we won't be able to identify who it was checked out to.


Thanks for any help.

[June7]

I would say at some point stop tracking and consider the items as consumable supplies, like pencils. If you can't mark it somehow then can't track it.

[WDD]

I didn't want to do that, but that may have to be the case. Thank you very much for the reply.

[amrut]

When an item comes back that item can be scan in, added back into inventory

You may have a fields in your db to save the destination where it goes to/comes back from along with date of issue/return. Can this help to identify the item ?

[June7]

Guess you would need some labels like they use on vehicle license plates for the year number. That adhesive sticks to anything and never gets unsticky. I have seen property number labels like that as well. Unfortunately, the labels can abrade from use and abuse and wear down.

Another alternative is to issue things like drill bits in sets.

[WDD]

You may have a fields in your db to save the destination where it goes to/comes back from along with date of issue/return. Can this help to identify the item ?

I plan to have fields like that, but these items (screw bits, drill bits, sockets, etc...) won't have any identification except their size or what was inscribed by the manufacture. Some are too small to etch our own identification number. Sometimes we'll get an item brought back in by somebody else or even months later not knowing who checked it out. So if multiple people have a 1/32" drill bit checked out and we receive one turned back in by someone who found it, we won't know who was the original person who checked it out.

Guess you would need some labels like they use on vehicle license plates for the year number. That adhesive sticks to anything and never gets unsticky. I have seen property number labels like that as well. Unfortunately, the labels can abrade from use and abuse and wear down.

Another alternative is to issue things like drill bits in sets.

The adhesive and material do hold well. I can see if they'll go for this, but they may want to stick to printing their own labels. I really like the idea of putting things into sets or maybe even a box in which we can add anything we want to during checkout. This would need to be checked in as a whole and we would know what's supposed to be with it. The multiple items in it can help distinguish it.

These are all good ideas. I really appreciate it!