Why do you need lost and found software for airports? Airports serve as bustling centers of travel and commerce, with thousands of passengers, employees, and visitors passing through their gates daily. Amidst the constant movement and activity, it’s no surprise that belongings often get misplaced, left behind, or lost. As a result, an efficient and effective lost and found system becomes crucial for airports.
Airports are in need of lost and found software to keep track of items that are lost or unclaimed. According to a study that came out a few years ago over 12,000 laptops are lost every week at the top US airports. But why do you need a dedicated lost & found? Let’s dive in.
Reasons for getting lost and found software for airports
Enhancing Customer Experience at your airport:
First and foremost, implementing a lost and found software at an airport demonstrates a commitment to the well-being and satisfaction of passengers and visitors. By providing a seamless method for tracking and returning lost items, airports create a positive experience for travelers, which can ultimately contribute to brand loyalty and repeat business.
Reducing Administrative Burden for your airport lost and found staff:
A well-organized lost and found process reduces the administrative workload on airport staff. Without an efficient system in place, lost items can end up scattered throughout various departments, leading to a chaotic and time-consuming retrieval process. Lost and found software simplifies this task, allowing staff to focus on their primary responsibilities and deliver a better experience for passengers.
Minimizing Theft and Misconduct of lost items:
A streamlined lost and found system can help deter theft and dishonest behavior within the airport. When there’s a clear procedure for reporting and retrieving lost items, individuals are less likely to keep items they find, knowing that the rightful owner can easily reclaim their belongings. This sense of accountability promotes a culture of integrity and respect within the airport community.
Boosting Airport Reputation for customer service:
Every year, the Wall Street Journal publishes the ranking of their top and bottom airports and customer service is key to those rankings. A well-managed lost and found system can enhance an airport’s reputation among travelers, airlines, and other stakeholders. An efficient and secure way of managing lost items reflects the airport’s attention to detail and concern for passengers’ well-being, making it more appealing to potential partners and customers.
Supporting Emotional Well-Being:
Losing a valuable item, such as a smartphone, wallet, or a sentimental possession, can be distressing for passengers. Reuniting them with their lost belongings contributes to their overall well-being and satisfaction with their travel experience. A well-organized lost and found system can turn a stressful situation into a positive outcome, fostering goodwill among travelers.
Lost and Found Software for Airports has to meet FAA criteria:
FAA regulations states “use the best efforts to return all property that is lost at this facility to the rightful owner, keep accurate records of receipts, be responsible for all restitution and disposal of all property that is left at the airport.
1. Make the Best Effort to Return Lost Property to the Rightful Owner
When items are left such as luggage are lost they often contain tags with the identification and contact information of the owners. They may also have the flight name or destination on the tag. It is the responsibility of the airport to find the owner’s contact information and contact them. Use of lost and found software for airports including RepoApp can ensure airports are doing all they can to track down the owner. An airport may hold an item for 60 days and try to find the owner within that time period. If they do not have the correct software it is very difficult to keep track of efforts made to contact owners. RepoApp will keep accurate records and will show all the efforts of the lost and found department at the airport.
2. Maintain Complete, Accurate Receipts of Restitution and Disposal of Lost Property
Using lost and found software for airports such as RepoApp can help an airport can easily keep a record of when lost property was found ,where it was found, the date the airport stored it, the contacts to the owner, and other important information. The app can also keep record if the owner picked it up as well as the date of they claimed it. After holding on to the item for specific time period the airport can keep records of whether the item was given to charity or if it was disposed of. This information can be kept in the lost and found software program.
Other goals of lost and found software for airports:
The primary goals of airport lost and found software should focus on improving efficiency, enhancing security, and delivering a better experience for all parties involved. Here are the key objectives that an effective lost and found software solution should aim to achieve:
Streamline Processes:
Airport lost and found software should simplify and automate the handling of lost items, reducing the administrative burden on airport staff and expediting the recovery process for passengers and visitors.
Increase Accountability:
By providing a clear and transparent procedure for reporting and retrieving lost items, the software should foster a sense of accountability among airport staff and travelers, promoting a culture of integrity and responsibility.
Boost Recovery Rates:
The software should enable more lost items to be reunited with their rightful owners by improving the accuracy and efficiency of the matching process, leveraging advanced search capabilities and comprehensive item categorization.
Enhance Security:
Airport lost and found software should prioritize data protection and confidentiality, safeguarding sensitive information and ensuring that only authorized personnel have access to the system.
Improve Customer Satisfaction:
By streamlining the lost and found process and making it more user-friendly, the software should enhance the overall experience for passengers and visitors, ultimately leading to higher satisfaction levels and a better reputation for the airport.
Facilitate Data-Driven Decision Making of airport lost and found:
The software should provide airport administrators with valuable insights and analytics to help them identify trends, monitor system performance, and make informed decisions to optimize the lost and found process.
By focusing on these core objectives, airport lost and found software can play a vital role in creating a more efficient, secure, and customer-centric environment for all who pass through its doors.
Now that we have gone over the goals of a successful airport lost and found, lets talk about how to use lost and found software for airports to meet those goals.
How to select lost and found software for airports
When selecting lost and found software for airports, it’s vital to ensure that it includes features tailored to the unique needs of a busy travel hub. Here are some essential features to look for when choosing the right lost and found software for airports:
User-friendly Interface:
The software should have an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, enabling airport staff, passengers, and visitors to report lost items, search for found items, and manage the return process with ease. The software should also be mobile friendly.
Comprehensive Item Categorization:
The software should allow users to categorize items by type, location, and other relevant attributes. This feature simplifies the process of searching for lost items and increases the chances of a successful match.
Robust Search Functionality:
Efficient search capabilities are crucial for airport lost and found software. Users should be able to search for items using various criteria, such as keywords, date range, and item attributes, to expedite the retrieval process.
Secure and Centralized Database:
The software must provide a secure, centralized database to store and manage all lost and found data, ensuring that sensitive information, such as personal details and item descriptions, remains protected and confidential.
Real-time Updates and Notifications:
The system should offer real-time updates and notifications to keep users informed about the status of their lost items. This feature reduces the need for constant follow-ups and enhances the user experience.
Reporting and Analytics:
Lost and found software for airports should include reporting and analytics tools to help administrators track the overall performance of the system. This data can be used to identify trends, spot potential issues, and make informed decisions for improving the lost and found process.
Built-in Shipping of lost items:
The software should include built-in shipping options, allowing users to pay for shipping labels and have their items returned directly to them. This feature not only streamlines the return process but also increases the likelihood of lost items being reunited with their rightful owners.
Integration Capabilities:
The software should seamlessly integrate with the existing airport website so that owners of lost items can submit their claims.
Scalability and Customization:
As airports grow and evolve, so should their lost and found software. Choose a solution that can be easily scaled to accommodate changes in airport size and offers customization options to meet specific institutional needs.
Reliable Customer Support:
Finally, opt for a lost and found software provider that offers dependable customer support to address any technical issues or questions that may arise during implementation and ongoing use.
By considering these essential features, airports can choose a lost and found software solution that streamlines the process, enhances security, and ultimately improves the overall experience for passengers, visitors, and staff.
Why is RepoApp the best choice for lost and found software for airports?
RepoApp’s lost and found software for airports is specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of airports, offering a comprehensive suite of features that address the essential goals and challenges of airport lost and found operations. Here’s how RepoApp’s capabilities align with each objective:
Integrated Shipping:
RepoApp streamlines the shipping process by enabling staff to request a shipping label from an item owner with just one click. This feature allows for efficient and hassle-free shipping of found items to their rightful owners.
Fully Encrypted:
Data security is a top priority for RepoApp. The platform utilizes end-to-end encryption, with Cloudflare SSL encryption for data in transit and storage in Amazon Web Services data centers in the United States for data at rest. This ensures the protection of sensitive information.
Built-in Reporting:
RepoApp’s reporting feature allows airport administrators to monitor item volumes by location, item type, and more. This data helps track performance metrics over time and supports data-driven decision-making for optimizing lost and found operations.
Power Match of items and claims:
RepoApp’s advanced matching algorithm automatically suggests potential matches between claims and found items, resulting in increased recovery rates and reduced time spent manually searching for matches.
QR Codes:
Each item logged in RepoApp is assigned a custom QR code, making it easy to locate items within the storage facility and further streamlining the retrieval process.
Full Chain of Custody:
RepoApp logs all changes within the system, ensuring full accountability and protection from claims of improper handling. This feature promotes transparency and fosters trust among airport staff and travelers.
Public Claim Form:
RepoApp provides a customizable public form for submitting claims that can be embedded on your airports website, reducing the time spent fielding claims and allowing airport staff to focus on other tasks.
Bulk Release:
With RepoApp’s bulk release feature, airport staff can efficiently release expired items in one batch, saving time and effort compared to handling items individually.
Fully Customizable:
RepoApp allows users to customize venues, locations, item categories, disposals, and containers to match the specific needs of their organization, ensuring a tailored lost and found solution for every airport.
By incorporating these features, RepoApp’s lost and found software for airports effectively addresses the key goals of airport lost and found operations, delivering an efficient, secure, and customer-centric solution for both airport staff and travelers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, RepoApp’s lost and found software for airports offers a comprehensive and efficient solution that addresses the unique challenges and goals of airport lost and found operations.
By providing an array of features such as integrated shipping, full encryption, built-in reporting, and advanced matching algorithms, RepoApp streamlines the process of reuniting lost items with their rightful owners. Furthermore, the platform’s customizable nature ensures a tailored experience for each airport, while its robust security measures protect sensitive data.
Implementing RepoApp’s lost and found software is a step forward in enhancing customer satisfaction, improving operational efficiency, and ultimately, creating a more seamless travel experience for all airport users.
