1. 1. Keep a glossary of important terms and abbreviations, preferably in a searchable and shareable format like a Microsoft OneNote notebook or an internal wiki. Include synonyms to make searching easier.
   2. Plan out your data columns and categories in advance. Trying to add a new column that separates two formerly concatenated pieces of data is a major hassle and can introduce mistakes.
   3. Keep descriptions in the same order. If you have

      24IN 1920X1080 LCD VGA MONITOR

      and

      24IN LCD VGA MONITOR 1920X1080

      and

      MONITOR - 24IN 1920X1080 LCD VGA

      in your database, pick one. There is no right or wrong answer for your organization, as long as they are consistent and usable across your applications. If you can't decide, Micor has found the first example to be the easiest for people to work with.

   4. Have a centralized location for asset data across all departments, and use one tagging system. An asset should have one unique identifier from acquisition to disposal, and that number should not be reused or duplicated.
   5. Include accessories, options, and measurements when possible. Ikea's Skarsta desks, for example, have two different measurements and two different colors.

Bad Example:

Good Example: