In safety-critical industries, tracking equipment and inspection records is essential. But how we manage these records has changed a lot over the years.
We used to keep records in filing cabinets. Today, cloud-based tools help teams work smarter, stay compliant, and keep people safe.
Now, Papertrail’s PartnerHub takes asset management further. It lets suppliers and clients collaborate easily. Asset records are not just digital, they’re shared across accounts automatically.
Let’s explore how far we’ve come and what’s next.
The paper trail of the past
It all started with paper. For many years, asset and inspection records were stored in ring binders, filing cabinets or on clipboards. It worked, to a point, but came with some clear limitations:
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Manual processes took a lot of time
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Paperwork could be lost or hard to read
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No real-time view or audit trail
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Hard to share or access from far away
Paper-based systems were static. Compliance was reactive. Collaboration often meant handing over physical documents or emailing scanned copies, if you were lucky.
Spreadsheets change the game
Spreadsheets were a big step forward. Excel made it easier to track assets and inspections in a clear, searchable way. Shared drives and cloud storage let more people work on the same file.
But spreadsheets had problems too:
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Easy to overwrite or lose track of versions
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No scheduling or alert reminders built in
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Still required manual updates and data entry
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Limited audit trail or change tracking
Spreadsheets were better than paper but not made for the demands of modern asset management.
Purpose-Built Platforms
Tools like Papertrail made a real difference. They were designed to manage inspection records, track assets, and help teams follow rules.
Moving to the cloud gave teams secure, real-time access to data, anytime and anywhere.
Some of the key benefits:
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Scheduled inspections and reminders
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Mobile apps for checks on site
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Full audit trails and activity logs
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Easy reporting for audits and reviews
This was a big win for safety, productivity and peace of mind. But one piece was still missing.
Collaboration between accounts was still a hurdle
Even with the best digital tools, working with suppliers and clients was still mostly manual. When equipment changed hands, the inspection records often had to be:
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Exported and emailed
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Re-entered or copied
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Manually checked and confirmed
This caused delays, confusion and risk, especially when dealing with many suppliers or lots of equipment.
In safety-critical industries, that was not good enough.
Enter PartnerHub: Asset records that move with the equipment
PartnerHub is Papertrail’s solution to this long-standing problem and the natural next step in asset management.
With PartnerHub, partners can invite clients, suppliers and auditors to access supplied assets directly within Papertrail. All the data and history come ready and connected. No duplication. No manual transfers. Just seamless collaboration.
Here’s how it works
For example: A client orders a set of safety harnesses from a supplier.
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The supplier inspects, tags and certifies the harnesses using Papertrail.
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When the order is ready, the supplier shares the records through PartnerHub.
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The client receives the equipment and instantly sees the harnesses listed in their Papertrail account. They can view inspection history, certification, next due dates and asset status.
From order to delivery, everything is connected. No waiting. No chasing. No spreadsheets.
Why it matters
PartnerHub is more than just a convenience. It represents a major shift in how the industry works.
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For Papertrail Subscribers, it saves time, reduces errors, and ensures compliance from day one.
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For approved equipment and tool suppliers, it streamlines delivery, builds trust, and strengthens customer relationships.
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For everyone, it supports a more transparent, connected and proactive approach to safety and asset management.
The future is connected
We’ve come a long way, from handwritten logs to real-time digital dashboards. But the true power of asset management is not just in digitising records — it’s in connecting the people who rely on them.
PartnerHub is that connection.
It is the next step in the journey, giving teams the ability to manage assets collaboratively, confidently and without compromise.
Are you still chasing paperwork or are your records working for you?
Improve your inspection management system today
