How is RFID Asset Tracking different from other Asset Tracking Solutions

Asset tracking has become essential for modern businesses. Asset tracking is essential for improving inventory management, reducing operational costs, and increasing productivity. Asset tracking technologies have evolved significantly over the years, with various solutions now available to track assets. One of the innovative solutions for asset tracking is RFID asset tracking. In this blog post, we will explore how RFID asset tracking is different from other asset tracking solutions.

What is RFID Asset Tracking?

RFID, or Radio Frequency Identification, is a technology that allows for the wireless transfer of data using radio waves. RFID asset tracking involves attaching RFID tags to assets and scanning them using RFID readers to collect data about the assets. The data collected by RFID asset tracking can be used for various purposes, such as inventory management, location tracking, and asset utilization analysis.

Now, let’s look at how RFID asset tracking differs from other asset tracking solutions.

Asset Tracking Solutions

Barcode Asset Tracking: Barcode asset tracking is one of the most common asset tracking solutions used by businesses. Barcode tracking involves attaching a barcode label to an asset and scanning that label using a barcode scanner. The scanner reads the information encoded in the barcode and sends it to a central database. The database then updates the asset’s location or any other relevant information.

While barcode tracking is effective for tracking assets, it has some limitations, such as:

• Barcode labels can be easily damaged or lost, which can result in inaccurate tracking.
• Scanning requires a direct line of sight between the scanner and the label, which is very time-consuming and cumbersome.
  • Time-consuming because assets can be scanned only one by one.
  • Cumbersome because assets are not always easy to reach. Sometimes assets are located in hard-to-reach places like the top shelves of a rack or under desks tucked away.

RFID asset tracking, on the other hand, does not require a direct line of sight and is much less prone to errors due to damage or loss of labels.

GPS Asset Tracking: GPS asset tracking uses GPS technology to track the location of assets. GPS tracking involves attaching a GPS device to an asset, which sends location data to a central database. GPS tracking is effective for tracking assets that are constantly on the move, such as vehicles or shipping containers.

GPS devices can turn out to be expensive, and the cost of the service can add up quickly, especially if a business needs to track many assets. Additionally, GPS tracking is not always accurate, especially in areas with poor GPS signal strength.

RFID tracking is more affordable and provides accurate tracking as it is not dependent on mobile towers or geo-location satellites.

Bluetooth Asset Tracking: Bluetooth asset tracking involves attaching Bluetooth beacons to assets and using a smartphone or other Bluetooth-enabled device to detect those beacons. The device then sends location data to a central database. Bluetooth tracking is effective for tracking assets in indoor environments, such as warehouses or factories.

However, Bluetooth tracking has some limitations. Bluetooth beacons are typically dependent on an external power source for operation. Thus, recurring maintenance is involved in battery replacements. Bluetooth beacons have a larger read range, making it challenging to track assets with high location granularity.

Manual Asset Tracking: Manual asset tracking involves using paper records or spreadsheets to track assets. Manual tracking is simple and inexpensive, but it is prone to errors and can be time-consuming.

RFID asset tracking is automated and can provide real-time tracking data. This means that businesses can use RFID for asset tracking to quickly and easily locate assets, reduce inventory costs, and improve productivity.

RFID Asset Tracking Solutions

RFID asset tracking is a highly effective and innovative asset tracking solution that differs significantly from other asset tracking solutions. RFID asset tracking provides real-time tracking data, is less prone to errors, and is more affordable than other solutions. If you’re looking for a reliable asset tracking solution, RFID asset tracking is definitely worth considering.

AssetPulse is the leading RFID solutions provider in the USA, providing best-in-class, customizable IoT and RFID asset tracking solutions to easily and efficiently track lab equipment, work orders, WIP, IT assets, manufacturing, medical devices, cleanrooms, and many more use cases.