There are a variety of wireless location technologies that can be used in different asset tracking platforms. Some examples include Ultra-Wideband (UWB), GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). Although there are different benefits to each, one of the best options enterprises can use for indoor commercial asset tracking is Bluetooth. Bluetooth has improved over the years by providing an even longer-lasting battery life while maintaining its precision value-add. This version, referred to as Bluetooth Low Energy (LE), is the go-to choice for commercial-grade asset tracking because of its low cost and long battery life. Let’s take a deeper look at why enterprises should consider Bluetooth LE over UWB for commercial asset tracking.
UWB is a short-range, radio technology that operates at high frequencies. The system uses hundreds of megahertz to transmit messages to give accuracy of an asset’s location within a range of 10-30 cm. This technology seems appealing because of its precision, but there’s more to consider when employing a UWB solution for a company. Devices operating through UWB only provide this type of precision when assets have a clear line of sight from tag to location transmission device (such as a beacon or mobile phone) and are close together. This is a complicated solution to implement, which causes it to be more expensive.
Bluetooth LE is a form of wireless location technology designed especially for short-range communication. Bluetooth LE is similar to WiFi in the sense that it allows devices to communicate with each other, but Bluetooth LE exchanges small amounts of data. For example, say you want to broadcast an asset tag’s location to an IoT platform. The amount of data you need to transfer is minimal, so Bluetooth LE works well for indoor positioning use cases and can significantly save on battery life. Today, most smartphones and tablets are Bluetooth LE compatible, which means they can seamlessly communicate with Bluetooth-enabled devices.
Link Labs AirFinder OnSite uses Bluetooth LE to keep a balance between low cost, long-lasting battery life, and higher accuracy. This has increased ROI for many companies across different industries. The reliability of AirFinder gives companies peace of mind knowing their assets are always accounted for. Organizations of all types – from manufacturing and construction companies to hospitals, emergency management agencies, and fulfillment centers – own or lease all sorts of assets that are essential to everyday business operations, and tracking them with the AirFinder solution takes the stress out of knowing where assets are located in real-time.
Bluetooth LE is a reliable technology for asset management. With proximity-based technology, companies can easily locate assets as they don’t need a clear path to the beacon in order to give an accurate location reading. It provides an asset’s location by adhering to the nearest beacon, which allows users to customize their AirFinder OnSite Bluetooth LE solution and expand as needed. When connected to Link Labs’ Symphony Link, there’s no need to rely on WiFi or UWB that could fail you in a time of need.
The AirFinder OnSite system can also scale to meet small to large business needs, while still being an inexpensive system to install. This is not an indoor-only solution; users can enable the AirFinder platform to be used outdoors to track shipments and more. With the combination of an indoor and outdoor solution, you can save money by buying one solution to meet two needs.
Deciding what asset tracking solution to use for your company’s needs can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. At Link Labs, we can help customize a solution to fit your business-specific needs to help you save time and money.
To find out more about AirFinder and its use of Bluetooth Low Energy, book a demo with us.