
In an ever-changing industrial landscape, maximizing efficiency, reducing wasted resources, and promoting sustainable development are paramount to a company’s success. Industrial asset tracking plays an increasingly important role in achieving these goals. Using advanced technology, companies can track and control their assets’ movement, use, and condition, allowing them to optimize business processes, minimize waste, and reduce negative environmental impacts.
Indoor asset tracking system: features and operating principle
Until recently, GPS systems were the main way to track objects. Using satellite data, they make it possible to quickly determine the location of objects and control their movements. However, the global positioning system only works effectively outdoors. Satellite signals can’t travel through the walls of buildings, especially in basements or tunnels, and therefore can’t provide adequate object monitoring inside buildings.
Tracking systems based on radio frequency technologies have been developed specifically for indoor use. Most often they work using Bluetooth® LE or UWB, which provide unprecedented accuracy of object monitoring of up to 3 ft. Industrial asset tracking using these technologies does not require high implementation costs and allows movement monitoring with low power consumption.
Real-time asset tracking is based on special sensors installed indoors or on tracked objects. At certain intervals, these devices send signals with identifiers, which are captured by readers and transmitted to servers. After processing the pulses, the system determines the exact location of the object and then sends the corresponding information to the user’s smartphone.
You can control the movement of assets on a digital map in a mobile application or on a PC. The platform works in real time and has a wide range of additional features, such as:
- indoor positioning;
- monitoring movements on the map;
- geofencing;
- collecting analytics with movement history;
- searching for stolen or lost assets;
- sending push notifications.
How asset tracking for businesses helps sustainability
An indoor asset tracking system provides companies with improved visibility into operations to manage supply chains better and reduce waste. They can help improve energy consumption, reduce equipment downtime, prevent theft, increase transport efficiency, and maintain optimal asset conditions.
Reduced energy consumption
Many businesses are looking to reduce their energy consumption to decrease operating costs. Industrial asset tracking proves to be an effective solution for addressing this issue. By monitoring energy-intensive assets, you can easily identify areas within your enterprise where opportunities exist to reduce energy consumption. Companies can also use this technology to monitor the performance of energy-saving equipment to ensure they are operating properly.
Improving transport efficiency
All types of vehicles running on gasoline or diesel fuel are a source of exhaust gas emissions that pollute the environment. For this reason, improving their efficiency plays an important role in supporting a sustainable development strategy. To reduce emissions and improve transportation quality, businesses can:
- work out transport routes more carefully;
- optimize the travel schedule;
- select alternative types of vehicles.
Performing all these actions is much easier when using an indoor asset tracking system. The platform carefully monitors movement history and provides detailed analytics for each vehicle. In addition, by monitoring facilities, you can identify opportunities for sharing transport, which reduces production costs.
Reduced equipment downtime
When using real-time asset tracking, the management always knows the exact location of any forklift, vehicle, and other assets. The system allows for:
- monitoring the technical condition of equipment;
- preventing malfunctions;
- ensuring timely repairs and maintenance;
- monitoring the level of occupancy of vehicles or special equipment;
- building effective routes around the building.
All of this combined increases the productivity of the equipment. Thanks to tracking systems, it’s possible to reduce equipment downtime and increase productivity.
Keeping assets in optimal condition
Many asset-tracking technologies can not only track movements but also monitor some important indicators. For example, monitoring the temperature or humidity level in the building plays a big role in efficient warehousing. This is especially true for food or medication, which are highly sensitive to outside factors. If stored improperly, these products can quickly become damaged, which leads to losses for the company. Using industrial asset tracking helps you avoid these issues. Now, you can constantly monitor performance and maintain assets in optimal condition.
Loss and theft prevention
Implementing tracking systems helps avoid the loss of assets and prevent theft. All monitored objects are displayed on a digital map, so company employees are always aware of where each item of equipment is located. The system not only helps you quickly find the desired asset, but also builds the shortest and most convenient routes to it.
Special sensors on valuable assets make it possible to quickly detect theft attempts, and in most cases, also spot intruders. One of the features is setting geofences that restrict the movement of objects. As soon as the monitored item of equipment or vehicle crosses the specified boundaries, the staff members in charge of it receive notifications on their smartphones accordingly. Additionally, sound or light signals may be triggered.
Get accurate inventory data
By using industrial asset tracking, you can get accurate information about your inventory of raw materials, components, or finished products. Knowing the exact quantity of products in warehouses will eliminate interruptions in the production process. After implementing the platform into the company infrastructure, staff will no longer have to guess how much inventory is on hand. Accurate information will eliminate shortages or excesses of raw materials and save money on unnecessary supplies.
To sum up, an indoor asset tracking system allows companies to make more informed decisions regarding the use and operation of resources. Thanks to this, you can maintain your competitiveness, optimize operations, and achieve high sustainability in the development of your business.