When it comes to working with a BLE asset tracking system, there are certain core components that you need in order to make it work. By understanding what these are and what they do, you’ll be in a much better position to figure out if this type of asset management solution is right for your business.
Let’s take a closer look at the key elements involved in BLE asset tracking.
BLE Asset Tracking Technology
BLE asset tracking technology is based on the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) wireless standard, a power-consumption optimized version of Bluetooth. An energy-efficient wireless technology, BLE is well suited for applications like asset tracking that require infrequent data transfers.
Its key feature is the ability to remain in sleep mode most of the time and still be woken up by periodic broadcasts from a central device. BLE devices broadcast periodic advertisements that contain information about the device, including its unique identifier. BLE asset tracking systems listen for these advertisements and use the device’s identifier to track the location of the BLE device.
BLE asset tracking systems can be used to track a wide range of assets, including returnable transport items (RTIs), vehicles, equipment, and more. Additionally, BLE asset tracking systems are used for a variety of applications, including inventory management, security, and asset recovery. Most BLE devices also support Wi-Fi, which means that they can be used in areas where there is no cellular coverage.
By providing real-time visibility into the location of critical assets, BLE tracking can help organizations improve operational efficiency and prevent loss.
BLE Asset Tracking System
The BLE asset tracking system is a network of sensors and software that helps organizations keep track of their fixed and physical assets. Bluetooth asset tracking systems typically consist of three main components:
- BLE Beacon Tags: These are small, battery-powered devices that are placed on or near assets. The beacon emits a signal that can be detected by BLE receivers.
- BLE Receivers: This is a device that receives signals from BLE beacon tags and forwards the data to a server for processing.
- BLE Asset Tracking Software Application: This is the software application that is used to view and manage asset location data in real-time.
BLE Asset Tracking System Components
BLE asset tracking systems typically consist of three core components: BLE beacon tags, BLE receivers, and an asset tracking software application.
1- BLE Beacon Tags
BLE beacon tags are an essential part of a BLE asset tracking system, acting as the data transmitters. BLE tags are small, battery-powered devices that emit a signal that can be detected by BLE-enabled devices. A BLE asset tracking system uses BLE beacons to track the location of assets such as containers, pallets, and equipment.
BLE beacon tags usually have a built-in battery, which allows them to transmit data for up to several years without needing to be replaced. BLE tags for asset tracking typically have a range of up to 100 meters, making them well suited for tracking assets in indoor or outdoor environments, including large facilities. Bluetooth tags are sometimes used in conjunction with RFID tags to provide a complete view of an asset’s location.
BLE beacon tags are often affixed to assets with adhesive or mountings, and BLE-enabled readers can be placed throughout a facility to track the location of assets. BLE asset tags contain a unique identifier that allows them to be tracked by the BLE reader. BLE receivers use this identifier to store and retrieve asset data from a database.
BLE beacons provide significant advantages over more traditional asset tracking technologies being that they are low-power, rugged, and relatively inexpensive to deploy.
2- BLE Receivers
BLE asset tracking systems make use of BLE receivers in order to communicate with BLE beacon tags to track their real-time location. BLE receivers work by scanning for Bluetooth signals and then lock onto the signal of a particular BLE device in order to receive data from it.
There are different types of BLE receivers, including smart devices, gateways, and readers. Smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets, can be used as BLE receivers when outfitted with an asset tracking mobile app. This ability to leverage BLE-enabled smart devices along with existing infrastructure helps to make BLE asset tracking systems cost-effective and simple to implement.
Bluetooth gateways and BLE readers are more sophisticated BLE receivers that are used in enterprise asset tracking applications and can be placed indoors or outdoors. Gateway devices and readers can be either fixed or mobile, but most often are installed in fixed locations, such as doorways or hallways.
Overall, BLE receivers play an essential role in BLE asset tracking systems by allowing the system to communicate with BLE beacon tags and track their location.
3- BLE Asset Tracking Software Application
Last but not least, BLE asset tracking systems also include a software application that not only serves as a central database for storing and managing the asset data collected by the receivers from the tags but also provides the ability to manage the hardware components themselves.
In other words, the software application is what ties the entire BLE asset tracking system together and makes it possible for users to gain real-time visibility of their assets.
The application typically includes a user interface that allows users to view asset data and perform various operations such as adding, editing, or deleting assets. It may also include features for managing asset locations, notifications, and generating alerts when an asset goes missing or is moved to an unauthorized location.
In addition, the software application can also be used to create reports and predictive analytics that can help organizations optimize their asset management strategies for improved performance.
Ideally, the software application must also be able to interface with other systems, such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, to provide a complete picture of an organization’s assets.
Ultimately, the software application is the brains of the BLE asset tracking system, and without it, the system would not be able to function.
Radiant’s IoT Asset Tracking Solution
While there are many different types of BLE asset tracking systems, the core components are always beacon tags, receivers, and software. The type of system you choose will depend on your specific needs and what type of assets you want to track.
At Radiant, we offer a complete end-to-end solution for real-time asset tracking that includes beacon tags, receivers, and our powerful cloud-based software. If you’re interested in learning more about our BLE asset tracking system, please request a demo below.
Last Updated on September 15, 2022 by Radiant