INVITED-TRIAL GUIDE · UPDATED 9 October 2026
Prepare your ToolCustody demonstration and trial
Start with fictional records, then agree one crib, named responsibilities and a checked opening for an invited trial.
This guide describes the trial scope. Access and the workflow supported for your site are agreed before the trial starts.
Practise before opening
Ask for a guided demonstration with fictional tools and borrowers. Practise an ordinary issue and return, a damaged return and a blocked issue. The sample workspace is separate from production and cannot send jobs to a physical printer.
Choose the first crib
Choose a bounded, non-safety-critical workflow with someone responsible for the real tools. Start small enough to reconcile every asset at opening and at the end of the trial. The first list needs:
- Each individual tool and its exact tags or aliases.
- Approved tasks, capabilities and explicitly permitted alternatives.
- Known positions and current borrowers, including tools already away.
- Any holds, service requirements and accepted qualification evidence.
Give people the right role
An organisation administrator arranges named access in SmartFACT Accounts. Setup, reference authoring, reference review, supervision and operation are separate responsibilities. Borrower records do not create accounts or authorise people to issue tools.
Agree the live checks
Before real custody is recorded, agree the trial dates, support, current service scope and recovery arrangements. Check the actual browser and scanner. If printing is needed, check the chosen PrintStation destination, label size and printed barcode with your tools. Access is arranged after these checks, not automatically on form submission.
Keep enquiry data general
Use the enquiry form to describe the problem. Do not send certificates, asset exports, personal borrower details or credentials there. We agree a suitable route for setup data during onboarding.