IoT Asset Tracking Software: Using Bluetooth For Asset Management Automation

Bluetooth low energy (BLE) IoT technology takes asset tracking and inventory management automation to the next level. Use BLE beacon tags, a smartphone or a Bluetooth gateway, and a cloud IoT software for an automated asset tracking system. Process assets and inventory transactions in seconds on a smartphone in the mobile application, or use a Bluetooth IoT gateway for a completely automated asset management system.

A Complete IoT Asset Tracking System: IoT Hardware, IoT Cloud Software And A Mobile Application

An IoT Module of QR Inventory software includes all components that you need for the automated asset management, tracking and monitoring. We provide BLE beacon tags for the assets, IoT sensors for the remote assets conditions monitoring, Bluetooth IoT gateways, a mobile application for the field employees, a cloud database for the centralized data storage, and a cloud software for configuring asset management software and reviewing reports.

IoT Asset Tracking Hardware

BLE tags. Bluetooth low energy (BLE) tags, waterproof, durable, suitable for the outdoor environment, with a good scanning range and long battery life.
BLE IoT sensors. Optional bluetooth temperature and humidity sensors. Use them for the remote conditions monitoring 24/7. Receive immediate alerts on adverse conditions.
Bluetooth IoT gateway. An IoT gateway with edge data processing capabilities. Use it for a completely automated asset tracking and conditions monitoring system that does not require employees' participation.

IoT Asset Tracking Software

Cloud asset management software and backend database. Configure IoT gateways and sensors, review real time asset management data via a secure cloud software web interface from anywhere.
Asset management mobile application. A mobile application for the field technicians to review equipment documentation, track assets with BLE, NFC or QR code scanning if applicable, fill out equipment maintenance forms.
Bluetooth IoT gateway software. A Bluetooth gateway software for collecting BLE beacons and IoT sensors data, doing in place pre-processing and sending data to the backend cloud software for processing and storage.

Automated Asset Tracking Software With Modern Technologies

The need to make industries smarter than they were has made asset tracking and monitoring an essential feature of modern enterprises. As a result, more companies are investing heavily in IoT-based asset tracking and monitoring.

Franklin Okeke, Tech Republic

Digital Transformation Of The Asset Management, Tracking And Monitoring Process

An IoT module of the QR Inventory software gives you the right tools and set of technologies for your needs and budget. Use employees with the smartphones for the fast and efficient field asset tracking, or implement a completely automated asset tracking and monitoring system with the Bluetooth IoT gateways. Monitor assets conditions remotely 24/7, and receive immediate alerts on out of range conditions. Always know where your assets are, quickly identify missing assets and where they were seen last. Prevent assets misplacement, operations delays due to the missing tools and equipment, and costly equipment breakdowns.

How Bluetooth IoT Asset Tracking Work In The QR Inventory Software

IoT asset tracking technology, implementation and reports.

Using Bluetooth Technology For IoT Asset Tracking

QR Inventory software uses Bluetooth low energy technology (BLE) for IoT asset tracking. Out of multiple IoT communication technologies, Bluetooth low energy is the only one that gives you a choice between using a dedicated IoT gateway or using smartphones or tablets running iOS or Android for asset management. The only hardware that you need to have are BLE tags for the assets. BLE tags are constantly broadcasting an identification number that can be picked up by a smartphone or a dedicated Bluetooth IoT gateway. Regardless of which BLE signal receiver you pick, the asset information is transferred to the backend cloud software in real time, and is immediately available to the authorized personnel via reports.

Implementation Of The IoT Asset Tracking System

In order to set up an IoT asset tracking software system, you need to:

Label assets with the BLE tags and enter or import them into the software system.
If you need to monitor assets conditions, install IoT sensors in the specific zones, or attach a sensor directly to an asset.
If you plan to use Bluetooth IoT gateways, install gateways in the locations where you plan to track assets (yard, warehouse, job site) and connect them to a network.
Set desired tracking parameters by logging directly into the IoT gateway, or remotely via a cloud software web interface.
Set alerts if applicable. You can receive alerts if assets appearing or disappearing from the specific locations, alerts on missing asserts, as well as temperature or humidity conditions that are out of range.

Once it is done, you will be able to review real time asset tracking and conditions reports 24/7, on demand via a cloud software web interface.

IoT Asset Tracking Software Reports And Alerts

IoT asset tracking system gives you the following data, available to view and download via a cloud software web interface:

Current assets location.
Assets movement history.
Historic assets locations, and for how many days an asset has been at each location.
Asset utilization report.
Missing assets report, with date and location where the asset was last seen, and (optionally) an employee who handled an asset.
Alerts on misplaced and missing assets, out of range conditions, etc. Alerts include date and time when the problem was detected, and date and time when the situation was corrected.
...and more

Bluetooth IoT Asset Tracking Software: Features & Benefits

Real Time Reports On The Assets Location, Movement History And Utilization

Current assets location. Review where equipment and assets are at any given time, on the office computer via the cloud software web dashboard, and on the mobile devices in the field.
Assets movement history. Review where assets have been during any time period, and for how long.
Easy job site billing. Check what equipment was used on each job site, when and for how many days for the job site billing.
Asset utilization reports. Check how assets were utilized, idle vs working time. Optimize equipment rental, purchases and utilization plan.
Missing assets. Immediately identify missing assets that were not detected in any location during the specified number of hours.
Automated asset tracking system. IoT based asset tracking is done automatically, 24/7, without any manual labor.

Asset Management Software System That Does Not Require Employees Participation

Automated asset tracking using IoT gateways. IoT asset tracking system that includes gateways collects and reports assets location automatically, without a need for the field employees to do anything.
Fast and efficient asset tracking with a smartphone. If you choose not to use Bluetooth IoT gateways, company employees can process an asset transaction fast just by clicking several buttons in the mobile application. With BLE tags there is no need to scan earch individual item - one click of a button detects all neaby BLE beacons and adds them to the transaction batch.
Remote data access. Access assets locations, movement history and utilization reports on demand from anywhere via the cloud software web interface.
Link assets to employees. Use BLE beacon tags for company employees to identify who is handling equipment and assets.
Immediately identify misplaced assets. Receive immediate alerts on assets appearing in the wrong location, or assets disappearing from the location where they are supposed to be. Configure alerts and rules via the cloud software web interface, adjust as needed.

Monitor Assets Conditions From Anywhere 24/7

Automated conditions monitoring. Use IoT sensors to remotely monitor assets conditions (temperature, humidity, vibration) 24/7.
Timely equipment maintenance. Use asset monitoring data to schedule maintenance as needed, preventing costly downtime.
Digital documentation. Digital documentation on the temperature and humidity conditions is securely preserved in the cloud and is accessible on demand.
Asset conditions alerts. Get an immediate alert if conditions reported by IoT sensors go outside of the acceptable range. Configure alert parameters via a cloud software web interface.

Digital Work Orders And Asset Maintenance System

Streamlined asset maintenance system. A complete equipment maintenance lifecycle, from creating a work order and dispatching it to a technician, to completing maintenance form in the field and submitting to the backend cloud software for the immediate access and review.
Custom equipment maintenance forms. Create custom quipment maintenance forms that technicians can complete in the field on a smartphone or tablet.
Field data access. Field technicians can instantly access equipment documentation and past maintenance history, and make informed decisions.
Alerts and reminders. Receive automatic alerts on upcoming preventive maintenance, adverse equipment conditions as reported by the IoT sensors, outliers reported in the equipment maintenance and inspection forms, upcoming warranty expirations, etc., etc.
Field - office link. Keep everyone in the loop. All authorized QR Inventory software users can instantly access, submit and update data, on the mobile devices in the field and computers in the office.
Digital documentation. Digital equipment maintenance documentation is securely preserved, is easily searchable and is accessible on demand 24/7.

QR Inventory Software Gives You Asset Management Choices

Automated asset tracking. One of the barriers to the adoption of the digital asset tracking software system is that company employees won't do assets scanning on consistent basis. Automated asset tracking systm with the IoT gateways does not require company employees to do anything. Once assets are labeled with the BLE tags and IoT gateways are set up, tracking and monitoring is done automatically.
Flexible and customizable software. Easily adjust QR Inventory software to your business process and workflow.
Continuous improvements. We are listening to your feedback, and are constantly adding new features to the asset management software. With our cloud hosting you get upgrades automatically.
Scalable software system. QR Inventory software will grow with your business, from 20 assets to 100,000+.
Flexible Hosting Options. Host QR Inventory software with us or on your company's network - it is your choice.

IoT Asset Tracking Using Bluetooth Technology: Business Use Cases

Bluetooth Tool Tracking Software

Automate tools tracking using Bluetooth low energy technology. Tag work tools with the BLE beacons, and use a smartphone or tablet for the bulk tools check out to the employees or job sites and processing tools returns. Process large batches of tools with one click in the mobile application. Access tools location, transactions and usage history, calibration and maintenance reports via the QR Inventory software web dashboard. Give field employees immediate access to the tools spec sheets and operation instructions on a smartphone. Verify that an employee has the right certification before issuing a tool.

QR Inventory software provides complete tools accountability and lifetime tools management. Modern technologies, such as bluetooth, smartphones, mobile applications and the cloud make it easy and fast for the company employees to track, manage and use work tools.

More On BLE Tools Tracking

Bluetooth Construction Inventory Tracking Software

Use BLE beacon tags and a smartphone for tracking inventory, materials and parts that you order for a construction project. Track construction project inventory as you receive it in the warehouse, store, move to the job site, and use it for a project. Use a smartphone and a mobile application for the bulk scanning of all parts and materials.

Use QR Inventory software to create a complete materials and assets accountability for the construction projects. Always know what materials and parts you ordered for the job, what was delivered and what is outstanding, where inventory is stored, what has been sent to the construction site and when, and what has been used for the project. Modern technologies, such as Bluetooth, smartphones, cloud, and mobile applications allow you to track construction inventory efficiently and error-free, without distracting field and warehouse employees from their main jobs.

More On Bluetooth Construction Inventory Tracking

Bluetooth Warehouse Inventory Management With IoT Based Climate Control

Bluetooth low energy is emerging as a less expensive and more convenient technology than RFID for the warehouse inventory management. Both Bluetooth and RFID technologies allow for the bulk scanning, which makes the warehouse inventory management process fast and error-free. Bluetooth or RFID is preferable to barcodes or QR codes for the large warehouses with high inventory volume flowing in and out daily.

The advantage of the Bluetooth inventory tracking vs RFID inventory tracking is the native Bluetooth support by the devices that people use - smartphones, tablets, and computers. RFID system requires dedicated RFID readers, while inventory tagged with the BLE beacons can be managed with the regular smartphones: Android or iOS. It makes the inventory management system less expensive and easier to use for the warehouse employees.

For the environmentally sensitive inventory items use a network of Bluetooth IoT sensors and BLE gateway for automated warehouse temperature and humidity monitoring.

More On Bluetooth Warehouse Inventory Management

Bluetooth IoT WIP Tracking Software For Manufacturing

Manage work in progress (WIP) inventory, track production process for the manufacturing orders efficiently without a need to constantly scan every single part. Label materials, parts, and components included in the bill of materials for the manufacturing assemblies with the BLE beacon tags as you receive inventory in the warehouse. Once the bill of materials inventory is labeled, track inventory movement through the manufacturing production process automatically using smartphones or stationary Bluetooth low energy (BLE) gateways.

More On Bluetooth WIP Tracking

Bluetooth IoT Temperature & Humidity Monitoring

If you are dealing with environmentally sensitive assets and inventory, automatic remote temperature and humidity monitoring will give you a peace of mind. A combination of inventory management with the temperature and humidity monitoring system ensures that sensitive inventory items are always stored or transported at the right climate conditions. A system knows the exact inventory location at any given time, the acceptable temperature and humidity range for the different inventory items, and real temperature and humidity conditions in all zones monitored by the IoT sensors. Unlike stand alone temperature and humidity monitoring systems that only give you conditions for the zones being monitored, a QR Inventory software gives you temperature and humidity logs for all sensitive inventory items, based on their locations and movement between locations.

If any inventory item is moved to the zone with adverse climate conditions you get an instant alert. If the temperature or humidity changes and becomes unsafe for any of the inventory items currently stored in the affected zone, you get an immediate alert as well. You also have continuous digital temperature and humidity logs to ensure product safety and traceability compliance.

More On IoT temperature Humidity Monitoring

BLE Tags (BLE Beacons) For Asset Tracking

Bluetooth tags are bluetooth low energy (BLE) beacons that broadcast asset identification number at the regular time intervals. The advertised asset ID is picked up by the Bluetooth receiver, which can be a smartphone, tablet, computer, or a dedicated Bluetooth gateway. The Bluetooth receiver can pick up BLE beacon advertising at a distance of tens of meters (the exact range depends on the specific BLE tag, and is often configurable). This ability gives Bluetooth asset tracking a big advantage as compared to the barcodes, QR codes, or even NFC. Instead of scanning each individual item, you can bulk scan the whole pallet, skid, or truckload with one click.

You can use BLE tags either for tracking assets using a smartphone and bulk scanning, or for the automatic asset tracking using Bluetooth IoT gateways.

Physically BLE tag is a small lightweight plastic tag, round, square, or rectangular, an inch or two in width and length, and around half an inch or less thick. It is suitable for putting on the small equipment, tools, and other assets, as well as on or inside inventory bins, totes, or boxes. You can attach BLE tags with a zip tie or screws. Some BLE tags have adhesive on one surface that allows you to stick a tag to the asset. You can also put a BLE tag on or inside a box or bin for tracking small inventory items. Industrial grade BLE tags are rugged and waterproof and are suitable to use on the construction tools and equipment.

BLE tag consists of a chip and a small coin-size battery which usually lasts a year or more, and is sometimes replaceable. If the tag is configurable, you can usually configure advertising interval (how often BLE tag broadcasts asset ID, usually between 10 ms and 10 seconds or more) and Tx power - which is directly related to the distance at which BLE beacon signal can be picked up by a Bluetooth IoT gateway. This configuration will affect the battery life span. A longer advertising interval makes BLE beacon tag less responsive but increases battery life. The same goes for the BLE signal range - if you decrease the distance at which BLE tag signal can be picked up by the IoT gateway from 30 meters to 10 meters, for example, you can double the BLE tag battery life span.

Bluetooth IoT Edge Gateway

If you want a completely automated asset tracking system that does not require human participation, you will need a Bluetooth IoT gateway. A Bluetooth IoT gateway will pick up BLE tags advertising, format and the data and send them to the backend cloud software. Our Bluetooth IoT gateway has edge processing capabilities, and allows for the custom configuration and setting edge processing rules.