Share

Discover the advantages of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for asset tracking and explore the key factors to consider when deciding to implement this technology in your business. If you’re considering an asset location system, understanding how BLE works can provide significant benefits over traditional RFID technologies.

What is Bluetooth Low Energy?

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a technology used for wireless personal area networks, which aims to reduce power consumption and cost while maintaining a communication range similar to Classic Bluetooth. BLE operates in the 2.4 GHz ISM band and is ideal for short-range communication, making it perfect for asset tracking applications. BLE technology is used to create asset locators and detectors that can be used to track the location of physical assets, such as equipment, tools, and inventory. BLE technology is often employed for transmitting data over short distances, making it an optimal choice for asset tracking solutions.

BLE asset tracking systems are less expensive, easier to deploy, and have longer battery life, making them an ideal solution for businesses looking to maximize asset tracking efficiency. BLE beacons and tags transmit signals to a relay or gateway that then sends the information to a central server. Algorithms are used by the central server to categorize the locations based on the signals received. BLE asset tracking is a cost-effective and efficient solution for businesses, with high broadcast capacity and versatile integration with existing networks and systems. 

BLE technology is an ideal solution for businesses looking to improve efficiency, productivity, and accuracy in various industries, including agriculture, education, retail, hospitality, logistics, manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and storage warehouses.

Utilizing BLE Asset Monitoring to Locate the Assets

Businesses are constantly seeking to enhance their asset management and monitoring capabilities. With the advancements in technology, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) has emerged as a reliable and cost-effective solution for asset tracking. 

Using BLE asset monitoring, businesses can locate and detect their assets with ease. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags can be attached to assets, and the signal can be detected by nearby BLE-enabled devices. This allows businesses to track the location of their assets in real time, providing a greater level of control and security over their valuable assets.

One of the key advantages of BLE asset monitoring is its ability to detect assets in a range of environments. Unlike traditional RFID technologies, BLE devices can operate effectively in areas with a high level of interference or limited connectivity. Thus, it presents an optimal solution for companies that need precise asset tracking even in demanding environments.

Advantages of using BLE for Asset Tracking

Low Cost, High ROI

Businesses can efficiently track their assets at a lower cost using BLE asset tracking technology. Here are some reasons why BLE asset tracking is a low-cost, high ROI solution:

  • Due to its low energy consumption, BLE technology can remain active for over a year without requiring a battery change, making it a highly efficient solution.
  • The accuracy of BLE asset tracking increases with the number of beacons installed within indoor premises. This means that businesses can track their assets more efficiently and with greater accuracy.
  • BLE asset tracking is a continuous and real-time tracking solution, meaning businesses can make effective business decisions based on real-time information.
  • BLE asset tracking eliminates the need for costly scanners to read from them, making it an economical and power-efficient solution for asset tracking.
  • BLE asset tracking is versatile and can be used for both indoor and outdoor asset tracking, making it an ideal solution for businesses with a wide range of assets to track.

Real-Time Tracking

Real-time tracking of assets provides businesses with many advantages. First and foremost, it allows them to quickly locate assets when needed. This can save time and money by reducing the need to search for misplaced or lost items. In addition, real-time tracking can help prevent theft and unauthorized use of assets. By monitoring the location of assets, businesses can be alerted when an asset is moved outside of its designated area, helping to prevent theft or misuse. A few advantages of real-time asset tracking are:

  1. Improved Efficiency: With real-time tracking, businesses can optimize their operations by identifying the location of their assets in real time. This helps to improve productivity by reducing search times and increasing the availability of assets.
  2. Enhanced Safety: Real-time tracking helps businesses to identify any safety issues and quickly respond to them. For example, if an asset is misplaced or stolen, real-time tracking can help to identify its location and prevent any potential safety hazards.
  3. Increased Asset Utilization: With real-time tracking, businesses can better utilize their assets by identifying underutilized assets and reallocating them to areas where they are needed. This aids in enhancing the overall operational effectiveness of the organization.
  4. Better Customer Service: Real-time tracking can help businesses to provide better customer service by providing accurate and up-to-date information on the location of their assets. This helps to improve the overall customer experience.
  5. Cost Savings: Real-time tracking can help businesses to save money by reducing the need to replace lost or stolen assets. By identifying the location of assets in real time, businesses can quickly recover lost assets and prevent the need to purchase new ones.

High broadcast capacity

BLE asset tracking’s high broadcast capacity refers to its ability to handle a large number of connections and efficiently transfer data between the assets and devices. This means that businesses can simultaneously track multiple assets without experiencing any lag or delay in data transfer. As a result, businesses can monitor and analyze asset movements and make informed decisions in real time.

The benefit of high broadcast capacity is significant for businesses with large numbers of assets to track, such as transportation companies or construction sites. Efficient data transfer allows them to monitor their assets’ movements more accurately and avoid any potential losses. In addition, it ensures that the data collected is always up-to-date, which helps businesses identify trends and patterns, and make informed decisions based on the insights.

Moreover, high broadcast capacity enables better scalability as businesses can easily add more assets to the tracking system without sacrificing efficiency. This feature is particularly useful for growing businesses as it allows them to expand the tracking system along with the increase in the number of assets. The scalable design also ensures that businesses can optimize their tracking system’s performance and get the most out of their investment. Table comparing the advantages of BLE asset tracking over traditional RFID:

Advantage Description
Real-time tracking
BLE asset tracking allows for real-time tracking of assets, providing businesses with accurate and up-to-date information on the location of their assets.
Low energy consumption
BLE technology consumes less power than traditional RFID, allowing for longer battery life for devices and reducing the need for frequent battery replacements.
Short-range data transmission
BLE technology offers short-range data transmission, making it ideal for asset tracking in close proximity, such as within a warehouse or manufacturing facility.
High broadcast capacity
BLE asset tracking has a high broadcast capacity, allowing for efficient data transfer between assets and devices, improving scalability, and enabling businesses to easily add more assets to the tracking system.
Cost-effective
BLE technology is typically more affordable than traditional RFID, making it an attractive option for businesses with limited budgets.
Compatibility with mobile devices
BLE technology is compatible with most mobile devices, making it easy to integrate with existing systems and workflows.
Easy deployment
BLE asset tracking systems can be easily deployed and integrated into existing infrastructure, reducing the need for significant changes to the business environment.
Improved accuracy
BLE technology provides more accurate location data than traditional RFID, which can be particularly useful in industries where precise location information is critical, such as healthcare or logistics.

Note: The advantages listed may not apply to all situations and can vary depending on the specific implementation and use case.

Conclusion

In conclusion, BLE asset tracking is a valuable solution for businesses looking to improve their asset management and tracking processes. Its advantages over traditional RFID technology, such as longer battery life, lower cost, and greater accuracy, make it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes.

PosiTrace offers a comprehensive solution for asset tracking using BLE technology. Our BLE tags can be placed on assets, and nearby BLE-enabled devices can detect the signal, allowing businesses to track the location of their assets in real time. Our solution offers constant monitoring and alerts of possible risks, detailed asset history tracking, and notifications for asset detection and loss.

With PosiTrace, businesses can maximize their fleet’s efficiency and profitability, make informed decisions about equipment usage, maintenance, and replacement, and encourage safer driving habits.

Our solution is ideal for industries such as construction, transportation, and logistics, as well as any business that needs to track valuable assets. Overall, PosiTrace’s BLE asset tracking solution provides businesses with the ability to monitor their assets in real-time, leading to better asset utilization, improved productivity, and increased profitability.

Frequently Asked Questions

GPS tracking relies on satellite signals to determine location, while BLE tracking uses wireless communication between nearby devices to locate assets.

Yes, BLE tracking can be used for indoor and outdoor tracking, although indoor tracking may require additional infrastructure such as beacons.

BLE asset tracking can be made very secure with the use of encryption and authentication measures, making it a reliable way to protect assets.

Any business that needs to track assets can benefit from BLE asset tracking, from construction companies to hospitals to transportation companies.


Share