About & FAQ

Ract is built around one idea: a rental-heavy show shouldn't depend on one person's memory, a stack of paper, or a spreadsheet nobody else can read. Here's a closer look at what it actually does, and answers to the questions we hear most.

Everything Ract tracks

One system, from the moment an order comes in to the moment everything ships back.

Barcode-first scanning

Check items in or out with a phone camera, a handheld scanner, or by typing the barcode -- whatever's fastest on the day.

Manual check-in/out

Barcode missing, damaged, or unreadable? Check an item in or out straight from its inventory listing -- no barcode required.

Batch returns & intake

Group a whole stack of items into one return-to-rental-house or return-from-vendor batch, with a printable summary sheet generated automatically.

Order import from PDF

Import a rental house's order sheet directly -- Ract detects the rental house from the letterhead and creates every item for you.

Inventory & damages reports

Generate a full current-inventory report or a damages-only report, grouped by rental house, whenever you need one.

Wrap crystals

One click at wrap generates printable rack-divider inserts for every active order -- no manual formatting.

Full item history

Location, cast or background assignment, quantity, notes, and a complete check-in/check-out history for every single item.

Damage & alteration tracking

Flag damage or alterations with their own notes, and require them confirmed repaired or reversed before an item can check out again.

Photo documentation

Attach photos to any item, plus dedicated photos for damage and alterations -- proof of condition, not just a note.

Automated calendar & reminders

See everything due back, across every rental house and order, on one calendar -- with optional in-app reminders.

Episode & multi-show tracking

Label items and orders by episode for TV, and run multiple active shows at once without them getting tangled together.

Mobile + desktop, always in sync

A fast mobile app for scanning on set, a full desktop app for managing orders and reports -- same data, updated in real time.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Ract for?

Film & TV production costume departments -- any size, working with one rental house or many. It's built specifically around the rental-heavy workflow: items coming in from outside vendors, tracked through production, and returned in the same condition they arrived.

How do I get started?

Reach out from the home page or email support@ract.ca, and we'll set up your production.

What does it cost?

Pricing depends on your production's size and needs -- reach out and we'll work out what fits.

Do I need special barcode-scanning hardware?

No. A phone's camera works for scanning, and Ract also supports standard handheld barcode scanners. Barcodes can always be typed in by hand too.

What if a barcode is missing, damaged, or unreadable?

Use manual check-in/out -- find the item in Inventory or Lookup and check it in or out directly, no barcode needed.

Can my whole department use it at once?

Yes. Every account works against the same live data, so whoever's scanning, importing an order, or pulling a report is always working from the same up-to-date inventory.

Does it work on both my phone and a computer?

Yes -- the mobile app is built for fast scanning on set, and the desktop app is built for the sit-down work (importing orders, running reports, managing the calendar). Both stay in sync automatically.

Can I track rentals across multiple rental houses on the same show?

Yes. A single show can span as many rental houses and vendor orders as you need, each tracked separately but visible together on one calendar and in one inventory.