Asset Management vs. Asset Tracking: What’s the difference?

Here are the key differences between asset management and asset tracking, two essential processes that can boost efficiency and revenue in your organisation

Written by: John de Robeck • Published: September 29, 2022 • Updated: March 10, 2026

Asset tracking is an important aspect of asset management, and both are essential for organisations to operate efficiently and successfully. The terms are often used interchangeably, and their scope does overlap, but they are different and should be understood separately. So what are the differences between asset tracking and asset management, and what exactly does each involve? Read on to learn everything you need to know about these two processes.

What is an asset?

An asset is any item owned or right possessed by an individual or company which has value, whether it be economic, commercial, or exchangeable value. A company’s assets may include machinery, tools, equipment, vehicles, land, people, money, furniture, and more.

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) defines an asset as ‘a present economic resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events. An economic resource is a right that has the potential to produce economic benefits.’

Tangible assets

There are two main categories of asset: intangible assets and tangible assets. The former are non-physical resources such as bonds, stock, copyrights, patents, trademarks, and computer software. However, these are less relevant to our discussion of asset management and tracking. Here, we’re mainly looking at tangible assets, which are physical resources. These are grouped into two main sub-categories: current assets (inventory, cash, accounts receivable), and fixed assets (equipment, machinery, buildings, and land).

Fixed assets

Fixed assets are the type of assets that are most relevant to our discussion of asset management and tracking. These are physical assets that are used by an organisation in its operations to produce income and are unlikely to be converted into cash. Specifically, an asset considered a fixed asset is not expected to be sold within one year. Because of the long lifespan of fixed assets, organisations need to depreciate the value of these physical assets over time.

What is asset tracking?

Asset tracking is an important part of the wider asset management strategy. Asset tracking deals with tracking the location, status and other asset data for different physical assets such as machinery and equipment. This tracking can be done using barcodes, QR codes, or RFID tags, which make it easy to track the movements and location of assets in real-time. Each asset has its unique asset ID which is used for tracking and updating the asset register.

Why is asset tracking important? A good system for asset tracking makes it easy to view up-to-date information about all fixed assets, including data about the asset’s location, who used it last, who it is assigned to, the condition it is in, when it was last repaired, and when it will need to be replaced. This allows organisations to gain visibility and control over the asset register, no matter whether they’re a small business with just a few assets or a multinational corporation with thousands of assets across multiple sites and books.

Benefits of effective asset tracking

Improve auditing

An effective asset tracking system streamlines your audits, increasing accuracy and reducing the amount of time that audits take to complete. Easy auditing with the scan of a barcode makes compliance easier than ever.

Save time and money tracking assets

With a good asset tracking system, it’s easier to keep tabs on the location and status of assets at any time and in any location. This means that you don’t need to waste time or unnecessary administrative costs locating missing assets or replacing them.

Reduce asset loss or theft

Effective asset tracking reduces the risk of losing assets through mistakes or theft, increasing your visibility and ensuring asset security.

Improve operational efficiency

With an accurate asset register at all times, organisations can work more efficiently, improving the quality of their products, customer service, and more.

What is asset management?

Asset management is a broader concept than asset tracking. In addition to tracking asset details, it also deals with monitoring the status of assets, maintaining them to keep them in good working condition, reducing asset downtime, managing inventory, and keeping everything working as efficiently and cost-effectively as possible. It traces the asset’s entire lifecycle, from the moment of its purchase to its eventual disposal.

Comprehensive asset management software might also take this a step further by calculating and forecasting depreciation for assets. This allows you to automatically depreciate assets in your books for better reporting and more accurate future planning.

Benefits of effective asset management

Manage maintenance effectively to reduce downtime and replacement costs

Effective asset management means staying on top of maintenance with scheduled and preventative maintenance tasks reducing the downtime of machinery and equipment. This means that assets can be kept operational for longer, minimising replacement costs.

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations

An effective asset management system helps you ensure that all relevant accounting standards and regulations are being complied with. This includes IFRS, local GAAP, SORP, and more.

Improve audits

You can audit more quickly, effectively, and accurately with good asset management software. An effective system allows you to reduce the risk of misplaced or stolen items.

Streamline and optimise operations

With a good asset management strategy, organisations can eliminate wasted time spent searching for assets or wasted money on duplicate or unnecessary purchases. This can result in increased quality, customer service, and revenue over time.

Summary: Asset management vs asset tracking

In short, asset management refers to the management and maintenance of assets across the entire asset lifecycle. Asset tracking, the process of tracking the location and status of assets in real-time, is just one aspect of this.

Both asset tracking and management are essential for asset-rich organisations looking to boost efficiency and revenue while streamlining audits and maintenance. To automate aspects of these processes, many organisations will use asset management or asset tracking software or a CMMS (Computerised Maintenance Management System).

Asset tracking and management software

Asset tracking and management software can streamline or automate processes such as audits, depreciation calculations, audits, and reporting. Integrating these two functions into a single software solution allows companies to improve their efficiency and have a beneficial impact on their bottom line.

In the market for first class asset tracking and asset management software? FMIS is the solution. Available both on-premises or in the cloud, FMIS uses integrated modules such as fixed asset management, asset tracking, purchase to pay, and equipment maintenance to provide an all-in-one solution. Designed for medium to large enterprises, our asset management software is used by clients in a range of fields including manufacturing, energy, and health, in the United Kingdom and more than 40 other countries around the world. We even offer a mobile app asset tracker and management solution to make our software even more accessible and easy to use.

To learn more about how asset management and asset tracking software benefits our clients, read the case study of how FMIS has been used by engineering firm SPS Aero. Or, read about how our client Essex Fire Authority has used FMIS asset management software to save time and money.

FMIS asset management software is a smart investment for any organisation looking to streamline its asset needs. To learn more about how FMIS can benefit your business, download our brochure or get in touch today.

Asset Management vs. Asset Tracking: What’s the difference?

What is an asset?

Tangible assets

Fixed assets

What is asset tracking?

Benefits of effective asset tracking

Improve auditing

Save time and money tracking assets

Reduce asset loss or theft

Improve operational efficiency

What is asset management?

Benefits of effective asset management

Manage maintenance effectively to reduce downtime and replacement costs

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations

Improve audits

Streamline and optimise operations

Summary: Asset management vs asset tracking

Asset tracking and management software

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How to Calculate Return On Investment or ROI for Asset Tracking

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Asset Management vs. Asset Tracking: What’s the difference?

What is an asset?

Tangible assets

Fixed assets

What is asset tracking?

Benefits of effective asset tracking

Improve auditing

Save time and money tracking assets

Reduce asset loss or theft

Improve operational efficiency

What is asset management?

Benefits of effective asset management

Manage maintenance effectively to reduce downtime and replacement costs

Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations

Improve audits

Streamline and optimise operations

Summary: Asset management vs asset tracking

Asset tracking and management software

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SOLUTIONS

Market Sectors

FOLLOW US

CONTACT US