Author: Jay Warrior | Read Time: 5 minutes
Overview
The tracking of various entities in a commercial enterprise, from capital equipment to inventory, requires choosing the right auto-identification technology. Different tracking challenges demand different solutions.
Four Asset Tracking Problem Classes
Asset tracking challenges can be categorized into four distinct classes based on information requirements and identification range:
- Point, Low Density: Small information requirements, short-range identification (assembly lines, retail checkout)
- Point, High Density: Higher data storage capacity needs for detailed asset information
- Local: Extended range tracking (3-10 meters), bulk items and warehouse operations
- Wide Area: Geographic tracking across large distances, logistics and fleet management
Technology Solutions Framework
| Problem Type | Technology | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Point, Low Density | Barcode | Easy to produce, generally reliable, linear encodings with <20 characters, read-only |
| Point, High Density | QR Code | 2D encoding, fast readability, holds considerably more data than barcodes (typically thousands of characters), error-correcting capability |
| Local | RFID | RF-based detection, multiple frequency options (Low, High, Ultra High), writable tags, supports multiple simultaneous reads |
| Wide Area | GPS/LoRa/BLE | GPS receivers for localization, low-power long-range wireless, Bluetooth integration for indoor tracking |
IoTReady's Tracking Solution
IoTReady provides industrial-grade scanners supporting barcodes, QR codes, and UHF RFID with integration capabilities for SAP, AWS, Azure, and custom APIs. All solutions include secure over-the-air (OTA) updates to keep your systems current without interrupting operations.
Choosing the Right Technology
The right auto-ID technology depends on your specific tracking needs. Consider the information density required, the tracking range needed, and your integration requirements with existing systems. By matching the problem class to the appropriate technology, you can achieve efficient, accurate asset tracking across your operations.
Ready to implement asset tracking for your organization? Contact us at hello@iotready.co.