Pack and Track Storage Tags.....

[DustyGmt]

Wondering if anybody has used these for the purpose of tagging and having all that info stored in a file or app on your phone or PC/Mac.

I don't use them but 40 tags are $40 and I'm considering using them, I've got about 35+ ammo cans and plano totes filled with ammo, mags, cleaning supplies, spare parts, and alot of Etc.....
So far I just put a couple sharpie notes like 9mm/.223/5.56 or .38/.32/.380 or 12ga slugs/12ga BK/12ga #6,#8,#7.5 and for hunting ammunition I have assortments of 7mm08 /.270Win/ 30-30win/ 45/70 gov't and quite a few other sealed cans of .22lr........

Trouble is its all assortments of different brands and types like premium vs target, expensive vs cheap.

Just looking at these and thinking it would be pretty cool to be able to just wave your phone in front of your can and scan it for its exact contents and would also be a good way of keeping track of inventory, round counts through different guns and all other kinds of helpful ways of organizing your gear.

Anybody use these kinds of tags for ammunition storage or even just for tools and other miscellaneous goods?

They are Duck brand, like Duck Tape.

Amazon.com: Duck Pack & Track Scannable Storage Labels, White, 40 Count : Office Products

Amazon.com

 

[Varminterror]

I've designed and installed these kinds of products for inventory management systems and WIP control processes for my work-world, but haven't considered using it for my personal applications.

As a paradigm in my life, my "bulk ammo" I store long enough and in sufficient quantities that I would need an inventory management system are stored longer than the life span I expect from any of my phones, or the app support I would expect for this kind of product. I've had to replace too many inventory management systems in commercial and industrial applications which were aged LONG beyond their due, but were kept around because sustaining the status quo was easier than updating, but service and support for the existing systems were long gone - effectively, the systems became functionally obsolete. So I don't know how long you need to store ammo or how much inventory you have to manage, or what volume turn-over you have that would require such an inventory management process, but I'd be hard pressed to justify any kind of relevancy in my personal applications.

(We DO use similar systems in our home for other batch tracking applications for businesses we own and operate, but my ammo management ain't one of those applications).

 

[DustyGmt]

I don't know how long you need to store ammo or how much inventory you have to manage, or what volume turn-over you have that would require such an inventory management process, but I'd be hard pressed to justify any kind of relevancy in my personal applications.

I've gotten by alright so far without em, but hundreds of boxes of anything can be a chore to keep track of and the limited space I have I basically have 8ft of wall space with stacks of cans and totes. I am often after one specific box and end up working my way through the stacks popping lids and shuffling everything around and while I don't spend a ton of time doing this, getting organized would save me a bit of hassle.

The more I think of it, the more I think it could really be helpful. Not only for ammunition and shooting gear but I've accumulated so much "stuff" and clutter that I don't want to part with or have a use for at the moment but when I finally do, I can never find it. Basically just a better way to keep track of your storage as opposed to a "misc. stuff" tag on a Rubbermaid tote.

 

[Varminterror]

As I mentioned - for my personal ammo stores, my inventory falls into one of two categories, either it's in my "I'm shooting it" category, or it's in my "I'm not shooting it, but might need it to shoot it someday." My "I'm shooting it" category is pretty well documented and familiar. For the "I'm not shooting it, but might need it someday" ammo is just marked, with a paper reference on the side of the shelf. It survives as long as does the shelf. No opening tubs or ammo boxes, no shuffling on shelves, just a tub ID against a list. Easy peasy. Scan tags/RFID's could be faster, but I've had some of that ammo for 15yrs+, in which time I've been through, what, 8-9 phones, and how many operating systems have we had? Hell, I've had some of it since I had Blackberries... My paper has survived, phones, apps, and operating systems haven't. I DO have it all catalogged digitally too, but for inventory reference, eh, the paper works just fine, and I don't have any cost sunk into any gear which won't survive as long as will the ammo.

But sure, it'd be neat.

 

[DustyGmt]

Scan tags/RFID's could be faster, but I've had some of that ammo for 15yrs+, in which time I've been through, what, 8-9 phones, and how many operating systems have we had? Hell, I've had some of it since I had Blackberries... My paper has survived, phones, apps, and operating systems haven't.

That's a good point, it's funny you mention the blackberries, I have at least a few cans with ammo I bought back when I had a Motorola Razr and sometimes I find blackberry ammo and LG Cosmos, Samsung Galaxy S7, S8, S10, S20 but most of my bulk "shoot it" ammo is pretty accessible and stays in the shipping carton but every time I pick up bulk I put a few in the "Save it" cans/totes and it's easy to lose track and when you shoot through all your "shoot it" stuff sometimes you have to dig around.

Not really a big problem, I like digging around tbh because I often find stuff I didn't know I still had. Found 500rds of 9mm I didn't know I had during a period of really bogus rona prices and it was a blessing. Necessary? No. You definitely illustrated your point there.

 

[hutch51]

I've had to replace too many inventory management systems in commercial and industrial applications which were aged LONG beyond their due, but were kept around because sustaining the status quo was easier than updating, but service and support for the existing systems were long gone - effectively, the systems became functionally obsolete.

^^^^
This.

I've been down your road - hardware, software. Had to reverse engineer hardware several times to keep essential systems going. That was fun.

I've seen the same problems with documents / reports. This is aggravating.
Docs etc were written with word processors with proprietary file formats. Over 35-plus years we went through a half-dozen different word processors and each time the old docs essentially disappeared - couldn't open or read them anymore. I wrote everything in plain text files, despite pressures to use the "latest and greatest". All my docs are still valid.

All this is to say any time a proprietary system is used - hardware, software - it WILL go away and you will be left stranded. Don't count on more than a few years.

Simple is still best; paper labels, toe tags, marker on the side of the container, etc.

 

[DustyGmt]

At this point I feel it may be necessary to point out things such as "Smart Switch" where you can transfer your data/apps to a new device. While not being a hardcore advocate of the Pack & Track, especially since I've not used it, I'm looking at the menagerie of randomness and number of cans and totes, parts and supplies, etc I just can't figure out why it doesn't seem practical. I haven't used this particular system and can see some benefits along with some potential negatives. I don't think you need to have an entire warehouse full of goods to make good use of a pack and track tagging system.

It seems like I'm trying to defend a system I have no experience with, but if it works as advertised I'd definitely be willing to risk $40 to be able to keep good track of everything. Chances are good I'll never buy these, but I wouldn't NOT by them on the basis of getting a new phone, that happens every few years and you can usually recover your info.....