BLE Asset Tracking: What You Need to Know about BLE Tracking for Assets

If you’re looking into asset location systems and tracking, then you’ve probably heard about Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). BLE offers a number of advantages over traditional RFID technologies, so it’s worth taking some time to understand how it works and what benefits it can offer your business.

In this article, we’ll take a closer look at BLE for asset tracking and discuss the key considerations you need to keep in mind when deciding whether or not to implement it.

What is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)?
Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a wireless technology designed for low power consumption. BLE devices are typically used for short-range data transmission and are ideal for asset tracking solutions.

Bluetooth BLE tags can be placed on assets, and nearby BLE-enabled devices can detect the signal. This allows businesses to track the location of their assets in real-time.

In addition, Bluetooth BLE tags can be used to collect data about the usage of an asset. The information a BLE tag provides can be used to optimize maintenance schedules and improve the operational efficiency of an organization.

How does BLE tracking work for asset tracking applications?

Asset tracking applications using BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) tags and beacons are becoming increasingly popular. BLE is a technology that was explicitly designed for low-power devices. This makes it ideal for asset tracking applications where the Bluetooth BLE tags need to be small, and batteries last for years.

BLE asset tracking tags broadcast a signal that nearby receivers can detect. The receivers can then use the signal to determine the location of the asset tag. There are two main types of asset tracking systems that use BLE: active and passive.

• Active asset tracking systems use tags that are powered by batteries. The tags periodically broadcast a signal that nearby base stations can receive.
• Passive asset tracking systems use tags powered by ambient radio waves (RFID). The tags reflect a signal that nearby readers receive.

BLE asset tracking systems have several advantages over other asset tracking technology. They are less expensive, easier to deploy, and have longer battery life. In addition, Bluetooth BLE tags can be read by any device that supports Bluetooth 4.0 or higher.

What are Bluetooth BLE tags and Bluetooth LE (Low Energy) beacons?

Bluetooth BLE tags are small devices that can be affixed to almost any object, allowing it to be identified and tracked via Bluetooth.

In addition, because they use very little power, Bluetooth BLE tags can be left on for extended periods without needing to be recharged. This makes Bluetooth BLE tags ideal for tracking inventory or monitoring the location of high-value items.

Bluetooth low-energy beacons are becoming an increasingly popular tool for mobile asset tracking. By attaching a BLE beacon to an asset, businesses can track the asset’s location in real-time. This location data can be used to manage inventory, optimize workflows, and ensure safety.

Bluetooth beacons use very little power, making them ideal for long-term tracking.

In addition, their small size means that they can be easily attached to assets without causing damage or interference. As a result, Bluetooth low-energy beacons offer an efficient and cost-effective solution for asset tracking.

Both types of devices have many advantages over traditional tracking devices, including longer battery life, lower power consumption, and greater range.

In addition, Bluetooth BLE tags and beacons can be used in challenging environments, such as metal-rich or wet environments, where RFID tags would fail.

As a result, Bluetooth BLE tags and beacons are becoming increasingly popular in various applications for both outdoor and indoor navigation.

Advantages of using BLE for asset tracking

BLE asset tracking systems have several advantages over traditional RFID systems.

1. Bluetooth BLE tags are small and lightweight, so they can easily be attached to assets such as inventory, equipment, and tools.
2. Bluetooth BLE tags do not require additional hardware to be read. They transmit BLE signals that can be detected by BLE-enabled devices, such as smartphones and laptops.
3. Bluetooth BLE tags are cheaper to produce and can be powered by small batteries, making them ideal for use in portable asset tracking applications.
4. Bluetooth BLE tags also have a more extended range than RFID tags, making them more suitable for tracking assets in large warehouses and other open spaces.
5. In addition, Bluetooth BLE tags can be read by multiple devices simultaneously.

Things to consider when implementing a BLE-based asset tracking solution

There are a few key things to consider when implementing a BLE-based asset tracking solution:

1. You need to ensure that the BLE beacons you’re using are compatible with the asset tags you’ll be attaching them to.
2. You need to decide how often you want the beacon to transmit its signal. The beacon’s battery life will dictate how often it can transmit, so you’ll need to find a balance that works for your application.
3. You need to determine how you’ll receive and store the data transmitted by the beacon.

You need to determine how you’ll receive and store the data transmitted by the beacon.

Radiant BLE Tracking Solutions

Radiant’s IoT solution enables customers to manage assets using various tracking technologies. Our customers are adopting Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to track and manage critical assets in near-real-time. This technology is:

• Infrastructure-Free: No physical installation is required for devices.
• IT-Free: Devices can operate independently of the corporate network.

To learn more about our Bluetooth LE asset tracking solutions, contact us.

Advantages of BLE Asset Tracking

• Labor Free Implementation: Zero adoption & effort by leveraging existing smart devices
• Infrastructure-Free: No physical installation is required for devices, lowering adoption and cost barriers
• Capability: Location accuracy & optimal read range that allows for proactive and remote tracking
• Real-Time: Continuous and quick-read of assets in real-time, no scanning required
• Battery Life: Lower power consumption means longer battery life means
• Accountable: High accuracy
• Scalable: Easily scale BLE asset tracking as needed

Last Updated on January 4, 2023 by Radiant