As businesses increasingly rely on technology to better manage their operations, they must make sure they have the right tools and solutions in place.
IoT asset tracking is a powerful way to improve asset oversight, but one key factor that businesses often overlook when selecting an IoT asset tracker is battery life.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss why it’s so crucial for your business to consider the battery life of any potential IoT asset trackers and the factors that may impact the success of your asset management program.
What Are IoT Asset Trackers?
An IoT asset tracker is a battery-powered device that helps to manage, monitor and record the location of physical assets.
It uses Internet of Things (IoT) technology in order to track the whereabouts of these objects anywhere in the world. This technology can be used to improve asset management by providing real-time information about where things are, where they have been, and when and how often they have moved.
The real-time data gathered from a smart asset tracking system provides a much deeper understanding of how an organization’s assets are used in business processes, from knowing what routes get taken most frequently to estimating maintenance timelines for vehicles and equipment.
An IoT asset tracking system also helps quickly recover lost or stolen mobile assets since the technology can help pinpoint their location. In addition, IoT tracking makes it easy for remote workers throughout the supply chain to access asset information such as service records or route info from any device connected to the web.
Overall, IoT asset trackers provide increased accountability and operational efficiency – an invaluable tool in today’s competitive business landscape.
How Do IoT Asset Trackers Work?
Battery-powered IoT asset trackers are an integral part of the connected world we live in today.
These trackers provide users with accurate location data to manage and monitor their critical assets – from fleet vehicles to construction equipment. These powerful devices allow real-time tracking information on the go.
Each tracker is equipped with a series of sensors that are able to collect data such as temperature, vibration, speed, and direction of travel. This asset data is then transmitted wirelessly over cellular networks to the cloud, where it’s stored and readily available for users.
And with battery life ranging anywhere from one month up to several years, depending on sensor usage, these IoT asset trackers offer reliable performance without any interruptions.
The Usefulness Of IoT Asset Trackers
IoT asset trackers can be incredibly helpful tools for businesses eager to improve logistics, inventory management, and asset tracking. However, they are only worthwhile when they have a battery life strong enough to get the job done.
Since these IoT devices are typically used to track moving assets over long periods of time and need to provide a stream of relevant data, battery life is critical in determining the usefulness of an IoT tracker tag.
Poor battery performance could result in missed data points or, worse yet – a complete shutdown resulting in the loss of vital information.
When evaluating which IoT asset tracker is suitable for a particular business, it’s important to pay special attention to how the battery life of the device may be impacted by the use case.
Factors That Can Affect Battery Life In IoT Asset Trackers
The battery life of an IoT asset tracker can vary greatly depending on a number of factors.
1. Operating Temperature: One of the primary factors that can affect battery life in IoT asset trackers is operating temperature. If the device is used in an environment to track assets that are too hot or too cold, the battery will not last as long as it would in a moderate climate.
Additionally, extreme temperatures can damage the tracker itself, so it is important to keep this in mind when choosing a location for the device.
2. Frequency of Use: Another factor that can affect battery life is the frequency of use. If the tracker is used frequently, the battery will drain more quickly than if it is used infrequently or is kept in power-saving mode.
For this reason, it is necessary to identify how frequently you’ll be using your IoT asset trackers. In many cases, passive RFID tags that operate without a battery may be a better fit.
3. Type of Battery: The type of battery used in the asset tracker can also affect its battery life.
For example, lithium-ion batteries typically have a longer lifespan than alkaline batteries.
Additionally, rechargeable batteries can be used multiple times before they need to be replaced, which can save money in the long run, but require additional monitoring and controls in place.
4. Battery Capacity: The general capacity of the battery charge used in the asset tracker can also affect its battery life. A higher-capacity battery will obviously last longer than a lower-capacity battery before it needs to be replaced or recharged.
However, higher-capacity batteries are typically more expensive than lower-capacity batteries.
5. Storage Conditions: The way in which a battery is stored can also affect its performance. Batteries should be stored in a cool, dry place to prevent them from being damaged by extreme temperatures.
Additionally, batteries should not be stored for long periods of time without being used, as this can also decrease their capacity.
6. Asset Type: The type of asset being tracked can also affect battery life. If the asset is large and heavy, the tracker will have to work harder to track it, which will cause the battery to drain more quickly.
For this reason, it is essential to choose a tracker that is designed for tracking the specific type of asset being monitored.
7. Tracking Method or Technology: The tracking method used by the tracker can also affect its battery life. If the tracker uses GPS tracking, it will use more power than if it uses another tracking method, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE).
For this reason, it is crucial to choose a tracker that uses an energy-efficient tracking method if possible.
8. Regular Maintenance: Regular proactive maintenance of your IoT asset tracker can also help to extend its battery life. For example, regularly cleaning and dusting your tracker can help to prevent build-up from occurring, which can drain the battery over time.
Additionally, regularly checking for software updates and installing them can help to improve your tracker’s overall efficiency and prolong its battery life
Ultimately, by understanding your particular use case and business needs thoroughly prior to choosing an IoT asset tracker, you can ensure that you’ll make the right choice.
How To Calculate The Battery Life Of An IoT Asset Tracker In Your Specific Use Case
Calculating battery life for an IoT asset tracker in your specific use case or business environment is no easy feat.
To accurately predict how long the battery will last on any given day, you need to take into account a range of factors, including the frequency of tracking updates and the power output of the tracker.
Estimating battery life begins with gathering data about your precise application and its environment – such as any variation of temperature, humidity, or altitude and what type of IoT sensors are being used to collect data. Factors like these can have a big impact on a device’s performance over time, so it’s crucial to properly assess their potential effects on battery consumption.
Taking these considerations into account will help ensure that you can set expectations for your device’s battery life that are realistic for your particular use case or business environment.
Bonus: Tips For Maximizing Battery Life In An IoT Asset Tracker
Maximizing battery life in an IoT tracker can be accomplished through a few simple steps.
First, ensure that accessories such as motion triggers and sensors are limited to only those necessary for the tracking job, thus optimizing energy efficiency.
Secondly, check the settings of your tracking devices to make sure that frequency of communicating data is adjusted to conserve power. Setting longer intervals between messages can improve battery life significantly over time.
Thirdly, look into software updates from the manufacturer because important bug fixes could increase the longevity of your connected device’s battery.
Following these tips will help you get maximum use out of your IoT asset tracker for years to come.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, IoT asset trackers offer a plethora of advantages in the world of asset management, but battery life is a crucial consideration when making your selection, as it can be affected by a variety of elements. Knowing how to calculate the battery life in your specific use case as well as ways to maximize it, are essential details you should consider before purchasing.
If you’re ready to take advantage of the range and accuracy that IoT asset trackers can provide for your own asset tracking process, explore our full suite of IoT Asset Tracking Solutions today and request your demo below.
With thorough knowledge about battery life in IoT asset trackers from this blog post and our expert team’s support at the ready, you’ll be able to make intelligent decisions about your fixed assets that will benefit both your organization and bottom line in no time.
Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by Radiant