Prior to 2021, an asset tag is a silver metallic tag (or yellow vinyl replacement label) that is permanently affixed to equipment that serves to identify it for tracking, inventory, and accountability purposes. The 6-digit identification number is recorded by the Capital Assets Management office as part of the University’s asset database (PSAM). The corresponding serial and model numbers, if present, are also part of the asset record. A bar code on the tag can be electronically scanned when doing a physical inventory.

In 2021, Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) asset tags were introduced to help aid in the inventory process.  They are similar in shape and size to the traditional silver metallic tags previously used, but are yellow in color and utilize a radio signal that is generated as a response to the RFID reader’s signal to identify the tag to the reader.

 RFID Asset Tag Example