Separate user possession from use
The period between issue and return describes occupation, not necessarily operating hours. A tool may wait several days for one stage of a job.
Choose the measure to fit the decision. Availability planning needs occupied periods and booking conflicts. Assessing operation may require other information where the business actually collects it.
Retain unfulfilled requests
Issue history omits work that could not proceed for lack of equipment. Record the required period, need and reason for refusal or rescheduling.
Several conflicts in one week may reflect a temporary peak. Repeated shortages over time suggest a different requirement. Consider seasonality and the types of jobs performed.
Connect availability with support costs
Equipment repeatedly removed for repair affects capacity differently from a unit continuously needed by a team. Establish which situation creates the shortage before buying.
This is particularly useful to finance teams reviewing equipment expenditure. Tools Management retains reservations and circulation, while repair history adds technical context. Together they support a need-based decision rather than equating an empty shelf with full utilisation.