Tool Inventory System & Software to Track & Manage Tools

Yes. Keel connects with your existing tools, hardware and tech stack through API integrations, so tool tracking can share data with the inventory, purchasing or accounting systems you already run instead of becoming another silo. You can also bring tool tracking and wider stock control into one Keel system, with barcode scanning, multi-location visibility and a single audit trail across both.

Tool inventory software tracks the location, status, quantity, and movement of every tool in your business. It replaces manual spreadsheets with real-time visibility — showing who has which tool, where it is, when it was last used, and when it needs maintenance or reordering. Keel builds this system around your exact tool types, team structure, and workflows.

Yes. Keel's inventory system is built for multi-location operations — tracking tools across warehouses, job sites, or team vehicles simultaneously. You get real-time visibility down to the bin or individual asset level, with transfer workflows, reservation tracking, and a full audit trail of every movement across all locations.

Absolutely. Barcode and QR code scanning is built in for receiving, issuing, returning, and adjusting tools. This eliminates manual entry errors and speeds up daily operations significantly. The system can also integrate with IoT devices and smart sensors to automate tracking further and improve accuracy without additional manual effort.

With Keel's Build for Me service, most tool inventory systems go live within a matter of weeks. The team works with you in real-time to model the platform around your actual processes, configures all workflows and integrations, then hands over full ownership to your team — meaning you're not dependent on Keel to make future changes.

Yes. Keel supports fully custom alerts and notifications — for low stock thresholds, overdue tool returns, reorder triggers, or demand spikes. Alerts are delivered as push notifications wherever they matter most. You define the rules; the system handles the monitoring, so your team can focus on operations rather than manual stock checks.

Off-the-shelf tools force you to adapt your operations to their rigid structure. Keel builds the system around how you actually work — your tool categories, locations, team roles, and approval workflows. You own the system entirely, can iterate without months of development, and integrate with any existing hardware or software in your stack.

Keel is registered with the UK data protection authority, the Information Commissioner's Office, under reference ZB524558. The platform features role-based permissions with deny-by-default access control, a complete audit log of every action and fully isolated infrastructure that can be hosted in the location you choose, including the UK, so your tool data is secure and access is strictly controlled.

A useful tool inventory record holds a unique tool ID or asset tag, category, current location (tool store, van or site), who it is assigned to, condition and status, purchase details, and inspection, calibration or maintenance due dates. On Keel these fields become your own data model rather than a fixed template, so you can add whatever your sites, tool types and inspection regimes require.

Tool check-out assigns a tool to a named person, van or job when it leaves the store, usually by scanning its barcode or QR code, and check-in records its return and condition. Keel supports barcode and QR scanning for issuing and returning, custom alerts for overdue returns and a full audit trail, so you always know who has each tool and when it's due back.

Yes. UK employers must keep work equipment safe under PUWER, and lifting equipment needs periodic thorough examination under LOLER, so many teams track inspection, PAT and calibration dates against each tool. Keel lets you add those dates as custom fields, set alerts before they fall due and keep a complete audit trail. Keel records the data; compliance still rests with your own inspection regime.

Keel is a trading name of Planko Ltd, a company registered in the United Kingdom and based in Altrincham, Cheshire, and is registered with the ICO under reference ZB524558. Tool records often name the employees holding each tool, so hosting matters under UK GDPR: Keel offers multi-region data residency, letting you choose where your data is hosted, including the UK.

No. Keel is not a plug-and-play app with a free trial. It builds a custom tool inventory system around your tool stores, vans, sites and approval rules, then hands full ownership to your team. Most systems go live within weeks, billed as one fixed yearly subscription in GBP with VAT added. Book a call to see whether a custom system suits your operation.