This asset tagging FAQ collects the questions we are asked most often, grouped so you can jump to the part that applies to you. Every question we get asked regularly, grouped by topic. If yours is not here, call us on +254 784 166 787 and ask.
Quick reference
Asset tagging FAQ: tag types at a glance
The tag formats and materials referred to throughout this asset tagging FAQ.
Tag type
Best for
Expected life
Self-adhesive polyester
Laptops, monitors, indoor office equipment
Life of the asset
Self-adhesive vinyl
Desks, chairs, cabinets
Several years
Anodised aluminium
Machinery, vehicles, outdoor plant
5+ years
Acetone-activated
High-value or theft-prone assets
Life of the asset
Polyester for soft furnishings
Mattresses, carpets, curtains
Through cleaning cycles
Asset tagging basics
Asset tagging basics
What is asset tagging?+
Asset tagging is the practice of attaching a unique, machine-readable label to each physical item your organisation owns, so it can be identified, located and tracked for the rest of its useful life. Our full guide covers it in detail.
What is the difference between an asset tag and a barcode label?+
An asset tag is designed and built to stay attached and legible for the entire life of the asset, and is tied to a record in an asset register. A generic barcode label is built to survive until checkout.
Which assets should we tag?+
As a rule of thumb: anything worth tracking on a balance sheet, with a useful life longer than a year, that could plausibly go missing or be misallocated. IT equipment, furniture, vehicles, machinery, medical and lab equipment. Consumables generally are not worth tagging.
What is asset tagging and verification?+
Tagging applies the physical label. Verification confirms the tag’s data matches the master record. Verification is the step that makes a register trustworthy, and it is the one most often skipped.
Tags and materials
Tags and materials
What tag types do you supply?+
Anodised aluminium for outdoor and industrial plant, self-adhesive polyester and vinyl for indoor office equipment, acetone-activated tags where removal resistance matters, and polyester tags specified for soft furnishings such as mattresses and carpets. Tag type is specified per surface rather than applied uniformly across an estate.
What are acetone-activated asset tags?+
Tags whose adhesive is activated with acetone at the point of application, so the tag bonds hard to the surface rather than sitting on top of it. Once cured, removing one intact is extremely difficult, which makes them the right choice for high-value or theft-prone assets.
What is the difference between self-adhesive and acetone-activated tags?+
Self-adhesive tags use a pressure-sensitive backing: peel and stick, fast to apply, and durable on clean indoor surfaces. Acetone-activated tags form a chemical bond at application, far harder to defeat but slower to apply and effectively permanent. Choose self-adhesive for volume, acetone-activated for security.
Can you tag mattresses, carpets and other soft furnishings?+
Yes. We specify polyester tags for textile and soft surfaces, applied so they survive routine cleaning and room turnover. Standard office stickers lift off fabric quickly, which is why soft furnishings are so often missing from hospitality asset registers despite being a significant balance sheet item.
Barcode or QR code, which should we choose?+
If you already own barcode scanners and a trained team uses them, barcodes are fine and marginally cheaper. If you are starting from nothing, choose QR, because any staff member can verify an asset with their own phone.
How long do asset tags last?+
Anodised aluminium tags in outdoor or industrial conditions typically last five years or more. Polyester tags on indoor office equipment usually last the full life of the asset. Poor adhesive choice is the most common cause of early failure.
Can tags be removed or moved to another item?+
Standard tags can be removed with effort. Tamper-evident tags destruct on removal by design, which stops a tag and its record being transferred to a different item.
Can you print our logo on the tags?+
Yes, at no extra cost. Most tags we produce carry the client name or logo alongside the code, which also acts as a mild theft deterrent.
Process and delivery
Process and delivery
How does the process work?+
Four stages: scoping, physical verification, tagging with data capture, then delivery of the finished register. Verification happens before anything is printed.
How long does a typical project take?+
It depends on asset count and number of sites, but most projects run from first call to delivered register within a few weeks. We agree a timeline upfront.
What do we actually receive at the end?+
A complete, exportable fixed asset register covering every tagged item with its make, model, serial number, condition, location, custodian and value. Soft and hard copy.
Can you re-tag an estate someone else tagged?+
Yes. We verify against your current register, flag discrepancies, and re-tag. Inheriting a partially tagged estate is common and not a problem.
Software
Software
Do we need software to use asset tags?+
Not immediately. A spreadsheet register works for a small estate. Past a few hundred assets, or when you need automatic depreciation and multi-user access, dedicated software becomes worth it.
Is the asset management system a subscription?+
No. It is a one-time licence of KSh 120,000 with no recurring monthly or annual fee, and unlimited staff accounts.
Is this the same as digital asset management?+
No, and the distinction matters. Digital Asset Management software manages digital files like logos and video. Fixed asset management, which is what we do, manages physical equipment.
Can we import our existing register?+
Yes, through the Bulk Upload module. We would usually recommend a physical verification alongside the import, since importing an inaccurate register just moves the inaccuracy into better software.
What reports does the software produce?+
Twelve built-in reports across three groups: asset reports (all assets, new assets by date range, by category, location, department, condition and custodian), a movement report (asset transfer log), and finance reports (depreciation schedule and summary, plus quarterly versions). All export to CSV or PDF.
Coverage and pricing
Coverage and pricing
What areas do you cover?+
We are based in Nairobi and provide asset tagging services across all 47 counties in Kenya. We also take on projects across East, Central and Southern Africa.
How much does asset tagging cost?+
In Kenya, from KSh 80 per tag at volume up to around KSh 120 for smaller orders, plus on-site verification and data capture if you want a full register. Outside Kenya the same KSh tiers apply: KSh 150 for 20 to 100 tags, KSh 100 for 101 to 1,000, and KSh 80 above 1,000; cross-border travel and mobilisation are quoted separately. Full detail on our pricing page.
Do you provide ongoing support?+
Yes. We follow up after delivery, and if you are on the software, setup and staff training are included.
What size projects do you handle?+
Anything from a few hundred assets to multi-branch national rollouts. Recent projects include 5,000+ assets across 20+ branches for Kenya Dairy Board, 2,000+ across seven branches for Thika Water and Sewerage Company, 3,000+ assets plus a 10,000-item inventory count for Pax Manor, and 600 for the NGO Hennet.
If your question is not answered in this asset tagging FAQ, it is usually because it depends on your estate rather than on the tags. Call us with an asset count, a site count and a rough split between indoor and outdoor equipment, and we can answer it properly in a few minutes.
Ready to get your assets under control?
Call us to discuss your organisation, or email your asset list and we’ll scope it for you.
