Tracking things that go missing

[Sonic007]

Hi everyone,

 

SLT have asked me to look at a way of tracking things as we have had some items go missing.

These items are not IT related but are expensive things that have been purchased and someonehas walked off with them.

 

They've asked me if we could put some sort of tracking device on the replaced items in case they are stolen.

 

Apart from sticking an AirTag in there, can anyone think of anything else or have you done something similar?

 

 

Many thanks.

[PotNoodleTech]

Airtag is gonna be the only thing that works on inanimate objects. Even better if you can stick one on the inside of it.

[Chockster]

Airtags would probably be my recommendation too. I had my electric bike stolen earlier this year but had an Airtag hidden on it; it was taken from my garage at some point after midnight and was recovered by the Police by 11 o'clock the next day.

 

The only hassle with them is the anti-stalking alert that says "there's been an unknown Airtag near you for X hours". It would give the thieves a notice that something was going on, but in my case the Police thought it was that alert that caused them to dump the bike away from their house.

[jthompson]

Never used them, but the Android "Find My Device" network is sounding more promising than it used to, although I suspect the fragmentation of Android won't be conducive to as a reliable a network as Apple's (https://www.androidcentral.com/accessories/testing-new-google-find-my-device-trackers). IME most versions of Android that normal people are running are shit versions of Android. Although if you're wanting to track items that are likely to remain onsite, then you only need a few compatible Android phones wandering about the place to give yourself a chance of locating things. There's an interesting range of trackers, at least, with rechargable/replaceable batteries and various form factors.

 

We beefed up our loans recording system a while back, with good results. Using a custom AppSheet app, with various API calls and automations and hanging off it. Making it as fast and convenient as possible for humans to check items in and out reliably goes a long way in combating uncooperative borrowers.

[Jamman960]

We've hidden knock off airtags on a couple of portable PA systems, the previous system would find its way into random cupboards and was a nightmare to find when we needed it and may have made the occasional appearance at the odd BBQ here and there.

 

I'm tempted to stick a few into our loan chromebooks but haven't as yet

[PotNoodleTech]

Which knock off ones did you get?

[Chockster]

I've got one on my desk that was handed in by a student from a company called Boscznorp (presumably from here) but judging by the fact it's been here for a couple of weeks they're not very good.

[DrBeaker]

Hi everyone,

 

SLT have asked me to look at a way of tracking things as we have had some items go missing.

These items are not IT related but are expensive things that have been purchased and someonehas walked off with them.

 

They've asked me if we could put some sort of tracking device on the replaced items in case they are stolen.

 

Apart from sticking an AirTag in there, can anyone think of anything else or have you done something similar?

 

 

Many thanks.

Not IT related, not really an IT problem.

 

Tell them they're working with adults who should be responsible and look after things, especially teachers ... who've had the 5.5% payrise.

 

Otherwise it'll be zero trust and you invest in massive expensive lockers with tags, barcodes etc to log stuff in and out.

 

Or people could you know...just be responsible.

 

However I've found loans when I lockout your AD account until you return my equipment worked fairly reliably and quickly lol

Edited October 4, 2024 by DrBeaker

[pete]

Is this "we think Bob's stealing things, but we can't prove it", "someone's stealing things but we don't know who" or "things are eventually found buried in the geography office's clutter?"

 

....since those are different problems.

 

What's SLT's position on exploding dye packs, or a stakeout where an item dusted with powered purple dye is left "unattended"?

[Roberto]

As Pete alludes to, what is the actual problem being solved. These are two very different problems. If I was stealing valuable equipment and found an AirTag (keep in mind an AirTag would alert me that it was following me round the building if I had legitimately borrowed a portable PA system or suchlike) then I’d just ditch the AirTag on premises before proceeding to steal the valuable equipment.

 

If you’re lucky I wouldn’t amuse myself by sticking the AirTag to the inside of your car’s wheel well…

[DrBeaker]

1) There's an issue with the legality of tracking something and not telling anyone though.

 

2) Slippery slope again with IT being "helpful" but something that's not our job, eventually BECOMES part of your job.

[psydii]

Asset management is not IT's responsibility. Obviously the role with the responsibility for that (typically the Finance or Business Manager) probably delegates day to day operations to those whose budget pays for the assets (i.e. IT responsible for knowing where all the IT assets are)

 

So be careful about taking on this responsibility - unless its is useful to your career - (there is a lot of potential overlap between an outwardly looking, upwardly intentional NM and the BM role)

 

That said the quick and dirty option of a few air tags has the advantage of the global Find My network, but doesn't scale well for an organisation trying to track a significant number of assets. For assets moving in the building, something like this might be worth investigating:

 

https://www.arubanetworks.com/products/location-services/

 

Our 2-way radios are all able to be seen by the beacon tech in our APs, and can be cross referenced against other devices a person might have upon them. However the software/integration costs parked that as "cool but no" when I (lightly) pitched it here.

[davinderkundi]

Besides AirTags, you could consider using Tile trackers. They're pretty discreet and work similarly

[FN-GM]

1) There's an issue with the legality of tracking something and not telling anyone though.

 

What legality is that please? Cars have had anti theft trackers for decades.

[elsiegee40]

What legality is that please? Cars have had anti theft trackers for decades.

 

By fitting one to company property, you can then track that employee wherever they take it. If the employee knows about it then it’s their decision whether to even accept the item … and I would understand anyone who was unhappy with this potential invasion of privacy no matter how benign the intentions of the employer. If the employee doesn’t know about it then get ready for the employment tribunal.

[DrBeaker]

What legality is that please? Cars have had anti theft trackers for decades.

Anti-stalking laws for one I'd guess. How do you know someone at the school is all above board and not potentially misusing the tracking technology?

 

Company property; tracking only exists to the point of legitimate use not tracking it all over the country etc.

 

E.g. employers already take the mick with expecting staff to use their personal mobile phones for MFA for work purposes for example.

[Brax]

Hi everyone,

 

SLT have asked me to look at a way of tracking things as we have had some items go missing.

These items are not IT related but are expensive things that have been purchased and someonehas walked off with them.

 

They've asked me if we could put some sort of tracking device on the replaced items in case they are stolen.

 

Apart from sticking an AirTag in there, can anyone think of anything else or have you done something similar?

 

 

Many thanks.

Decline and say asset management is not IT’s responsibility especially if the items are non IT related. Someone in the school needs to take responsibility for the items or CCTV needs to be installed where they are stored. If you setup an AirTag it then becomes IT’s responsibility and then knowing what SLT can be like they’ll likely pin the blame on IT if it goes missing and the AirTag was removed and thrown out for example. An alternative is a very strong asset tag or laser etching stating it’s the schools property and to return to an address if found.

[Ketlane]

As a crude measure, we painted a message on some items, "Stolen from xxx School." Reduced loss of mildly attractive low-value items.

[akidosaint]

Assuming equipment was "borrowed" Get SLT to speak to Librarian (assuming they still exist) ask them what they do when books\resources don't get returned by agreed upon date (Potential money spinner)(end of Tongue and cheek). If genuinely stolen by 3rd parties asset tags stating school name with tamper evidence stickers air tags are only useful to the police if they have the resource to recover airtag and device it's attached to.

 

As others have said if it is not managed by IT it's not your responsibility