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Asset transfer

Asset transfer and handover software

Transfer assets between people, crews, sites and projects with digital sign-off and full audit trail. Know who accepted what, when and in what condition. One platform for the complete chain of custody.

Digitalsign-off and acceptance
Fullchain of custody
4.9/5rated on Capterra & G2
Lachlan McRitchie

Lachlan McRitchie

GM of Operations

|Reviewed by Jarrod Milford
Updated 28 April 2026

What is asset transfer management?

Asset transfer management is the process of formally moving custody of a physical asset from one person, crew, site or project to another, with a documented handover and acceptance. It answers the question every operations manager needs answered: who has this asset right now, and who had it before?

In many organisations, asset transfers happen informally. Someone grabs a tool, drives a vehicle to another site, or takes a piece of equipment to a new project. No record is created, so the asset register falls out of date within days. When something goes missing, there is no trail to follow. MapTrack replaces informal handovers with digital transfers that include sign-off, optional condition checklists and a permanent audit trail on the asset record.

This matters most for organisations with multiple sites, shared equipment pools and contractor tool tracking requirements. Whether you are transferring a $500 power tool or a $500,000 excavator, the process is the same: initiate, accept, record.

The problem

Informal handovers create real risk

Every time an asset moves without a recorded transfer, your register becomes less accurate. Over time, this leads to lost equipment, disputed liability and audit failures.

No record of who has what

Assets move between sites and crews with no paper trail. When something goes missing, no one can say who had it last.

Paper handover forms

Handover sheets get lost, damaged or never completed. The record does not make it back to the office for weeks, if at all.

Liability gaps

Without a signed acceptance, both parties dispute who was responsible when equipment is damaged or returned in poor condition.

Multi-site confusion

Assets are listed at one site but physically at another. No one updates the register when things move, so the data is always out of date.

How it works

Four steps to accountable handovers

1

Initiate transfer

Start a transfer from the asset record. Reassign to another person, crew, site or project. Set whether acceptance is required.

2

Receive and accept

The receiving party gets a notification, scans the asset QR code and accepts the transfer. Optionally completes a handover checklist.

3

Record is updated

The asset record updates instantly with new custody, location and handover timestamp. Both parties have a copy of the transfer.

4

Full audit trail

Every transfer, acceptance and rejection stays on the asset record. Report and export for audits, insurance or compliance.

Trusted by construction, mining and field service teams

Hacer GroupMetro TunnelMineral ResourcesSupagasSaunders InternationalDraintechGenusAxis Services GroupRIX GroupHacer GroupMetro TunnelMineral ResourcesSupagasSaunders InternationalDraintechGenusAxis Services GroupRIX Group

Digital handovers

Replace paper forms with digital sign-off

Paper handover forms create a false sense of compliance. They get lost, damaged or sit in a ute for weeks before making it back to the office. By the time someone files them, the information is stale and the asset has moved again.

Digital transfers in MapTrack are recorded the moment they happen. The receiving party accepts on their phone, the register updates instantly, and both parties have a permanent record. No chasing paperwork. No data entry backlog.

Explore digital forms & checklists →

Paper vs digital handover

Forms get lost or damaged
Permanent digital record on the asset
Data entry days or weeks later
Register updates instantly
No proof of acceptance
Digital sign-off with timestamp
Cannot attach photos
Condition photos at handover
Hard to search or report on
Filterable, exportable history
No offline capability
Works offline, syncs later

What the audit trail captures

  • Who initiated the transfer and when
  • Who the asset was transferred to
  • Whether acceptance was required
  • Who accepted or rejected, with timestamp
  • Rejection reason (if applicable)
  • Handover checklist results and condition notes
  • Photos taken at point of handover
  • Previous custody history on the same asset

Chain of custody

Full transfer history on every asset

Every transfer creates a permanent record on the asset. You can trace the complete custody chain from the day the asset entered your register to today. This is essential for audits, insurance claims and dispute resolution.

When an asset is damaged, lost or involved in an incident, the chain of custody tells you exactly who had it and when. No more relying on memory or incomplete spreadsheets. The data is on the asset record, timestamped and linked to user accounts.

See transfers logged in real time

Digital handovers with acceptance, condition checklists and full audit trail. See how it works with a personalised demo.

  • No credit card required
  • 30 days free trial
  • Cancel anytime

Multi-site operations

Transfer assets across sites with confidence

Organisations with multiple sites face a constant challenge: equipment moves between locations, but the register does not update. Assets show as available at one site when they are physically at another. This leads to unnecessary purchases, idle equipment and failed stocktakes.

MapTrack transfers update the asset location in real time. When a piece of equipment moves from Site A to Site B, both sites see the change. The receiving site accepts the transfer, confirming the asset has arrived. Combined with GPS tracking, you get both the formal custody record and the physical location.

Transfer scenarios

  • Crew mobilisation

    A crew moves to a new project and takes tools, plant and vehicles. Bulk transfer with acceptance at the new site.

  • Depot-to-site delivery

    Equipment is dispatched from a central depot. Receiving site accepts on arrival and completes a condition check.

  • Inter-state transfer

    Assets move between state offices or regions. Both sides see the transfer and the updated register.

  • Contractor handover

    Equipment is issued to a subcontractor. Acceptance creates accountability. Return is recorded the same way.

  • End-of-project return

    All assets are returned and checked in at project completion. Transfer history shows everything that was issued.

Frequently asked questions

What is asset transfer management?

Asset transfer management is the process of formally moving custody of an asset from one person, crew, site or project to another, with a recorded handover and acceptance. In MapTrack, every transfer includes timestamps, who initiated and who accepted, and any associated condition checklists, creating a clear chain of custody at every step.

How does asset transfer work in MapTrack?

You initiate a transfer from the asset record by reassigning it to another person, crew, site or project. The receiving party can be required to accept the transfer via mobile, optionally scanning the asset QR code and completing a handover checklist. The full transfer and acceptance history stays on the asset record.

Can we require acceptance before a transfer is complete?

Yes. Transfers can be configured to require acceptance by the receiving party. Until they accept, the transfer remains pending and the original custodian stays accountable. This ensures no asset changes hands without a confirmed handover, which is critical for high-value plant and equipment.

Does handover support condition checklists?

Yes. Handover can include checklists such as condition checks, pre-starts or compliance inspections so the receiving party records the asset state at the point of handover. This protects both parties and creates a compliance record attached to the asset.

Can transfers be done in bulk?

Yes. Bulk transfers between sites or projects can be initiated from the asset register. This is useful when a crew moves to a new site and takes multiple assets with them. Each asset retains its individual transfer history even when transferred as part of a batch.

Is the full transfer history available for audits?

Yes. Every transfer, acceptance and rejection is recorded on the asset record with timestamps and user details. You can report and export transfer history for internal audits, insurance claims or chain-of-custody requirements.

How does MapTrack handle transfers between different regions?

Transfers work across sites and regions within your MapTrack account. The receiving site accepts the asset in their region, and both sites see the updated custody on the shared asset record. This is particularly useful for organisations with national or multi-state operations.

What happens if a transfer is rejected?

If the receiving party rejects a transfer, the rejection is recorded with a reason and the asset stays assigned to the original custodian. This creates an audit trail even for unsuccessful handovers and helps identify issues such as damaged equipment or incorrect allocations.

Which plan includes asset transfer and handover?

Asset transfer and handover workflows are available on all MapTrack plans. Advanced features such as mandatory acceptance and custom handover checklists are available on Professional and Enterprise plans. All plans include unlimited users.

Know where every asset goes

Digital transfers with acceptance, condition checks and full audit trail. One platform for the complete chain of custody.

G2 4.8 out of 5 stars4.8 on G2 · 4.9 on CapterraCapterra 4.9 out of 5 stars
  • No credit card required
  • 30 days free trial
  • Cancel anytime