Equipment Management in Backpack

Equipment Data in Backpack

Your Backpack equipment list contains a lot of key information about various types of equipment in the building. Backpack tracks all major pieces of equipment at the property - think critical systems like AHUs, RTUs, chillers, boilers, fans, etc. 

The first step to creating an equipment list is the site visit.  Learn more about that in this great article: Backpack Site Visit: Everything You Need to Know

First we collect the data onsite

For each piece of equipment, we collect the following information

• Name, location, and type of equipment 
• Unit make, model and serial number (where available)
• Photos of each piece of equipment, and associated name plates
• Estimated/actual installation date (if known)

In addition we place a QR code sticker on the equipment to track these details.  

Then we leverage that information to fill in more details

We utilize multiple sources and in-house experts to add additional information for each piece of equipment like:

• Useable life*
• Replacement value**
• Size/tonnage
• Flow rates, VFD information & source for HVAC equipment
• Warranty information
• Links/attachments to equipment specs

*usable life & replacement value can only be calculated if Backpack can confirm make, model & age. Typically this is provided when a legible faceplate is present.

** The replacement value in Backpack is sourced from a national database used by industry professionals (e.g., construction companies, estimators, construction managers.) The value is averaged across U.S. data & assumes a "like for like" replacement. Be sure to evaluate this figure based on your region, market trends, and supply chain conditions and make adjustments as needed.  This value is updated on an annual basis.

Allowing you to utilize the information in multiple ways

Here are some ways to utilize the information:

• Budget for equipment beyond usable life for annual or 5-10 year budget plans
• Utilize replacement value for a quick purchase approval instead of waiting on a vendor to provide a bid
• Utilize replacement value as a budget placeholder OR a validation on the RFP process
• Download data into a spreadsheet or PDF to share with vendors for the RFP process
• Download the entire portfolio equipment list and conduct a global RFP across multiple buildings with similar information
• Compare equipment to the Backpack Rewards program participants and easily find rebates for cash back

And - we come back annually to update & verify the list!

Backpack conducts an annual site visit to maintain and update your equipment list.  During this visit our technician will confirm the current list as well as make updates to any new or replacement equipment. We can also note an upcoming project for equipment replacement & help make sure any applicable rebates are utilized.

You also have the power to add and edit equipment in the Backpack software or via email.  Here's how:

To Add Equipment in Backpack:

• Navigate to the building equipment page
• Click the black "+ ADD EQUIPMENT" button in the top left of the equipment page
• Enter the name of the piece of equipment you are adding using the nomenclature for the equipment on property (ie: AHU-2, Refrigerator, etc.)  You may need to reference other similar equipment already in the Backpack to confirm naming convention.  But, don't worry, you can always edit the name in the future!
• Click "ADD" in the bottom right of the pop-up
• A new page will open with all the equipment details, fill in what you know including the required fields
• Click "ADD" in the bottom right of the page and you are done!

If you need to add multiple pieces of equipment at once please reach out to our support team at support@backpacknetworks.com for assistance!

To Edit Equipment in Backpack:

• Navigate to the building equipment page
• Locate the piece of equipment you would like to edit and click on the equipment name (in bold black letters next to the photo), this will open the page with all the equipment details
• Click the pencil icon in the top right of the equipment details page
• Edit the equipment details keeping the following in mind: 
  • Some fields are not editable (like equipment tonnage), if one of those fields need to be updated please contact the Backpack support team at support@backpacknetworks.com
  • It's a good idea to verify each field while you are in this page to be sure everything is up to date
• Click "SAVE" in the bottom right of the page and you are done! 

To Add or Edit equipment via email:

• Collect the equipment data to provide to Backpack.  This data should include the following items for both adding or editing equipment:
  • Equipment name (required)
  • Equipment location
  • Serial number (photo of the name plate is great)
  • Manufacturer
  • Equipment Type (required)
  • At least one photo of the equipment
• You can provide this information to Backpack in multiple ways:
  • Spreadsheet with photos
  • An invoice with equipment details with a photo attached
  • text in an email with a photo attached
• Once the data is collected, email the information to: equipmentreplacements@backpacknetworks.com
• Our team will process the information and reach out with any questions

Archiving Equipment:

• When equipment is replaced the Backpack team will archive the old piece of equipment.  This process happens automatically when information is provided via email.  If you add/edit equipment directly in the Backpack software, please email equipmentreplacements@backpacknetworks.com so our team can archive the old equipment. 

Learn how to navigate to the Equipment page and interpret the data in this great article: Navigating the Equipment Page

Questions?

Contact our support team at support@backpacknetworks.com