In the business world, asset tracking takes many different forms. The process of monitoring the location of equipment, devices, and other assets is necessary across a wide range of industries, because knowing where your stuff is remains an integral aspect of running a business.
One of the more popular and effective means of tracking your assets is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tracking, as it allows to you use Bluetooth-enabled devices to monitor your assets. Key benefits of this technology include its low energy consumption, minimal maintenance, and decidedly accurate data.
In this guide, you’ll learn about the types of BLE tracking devices, the advantages and disadvantages of the tech, and whether or not it’s right for you and your business.
What Is Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Tracking?
Bluetooth low energy (BLE) is a wireless communication system used for short-range movement tracking and location monitoring. As you can guess from the name, it uses a low energy version of Bluetooth technology to conserve power without sacrificing accuracy.
This kind of technology is used across a wide range of devices — like smartphones and wearables — but for asset tracking, you’ll find it in beacons and tags that can accurately track location data for anything from power tools and gardening equipment to shipping containers and medical supplies.
Types of BLE Tracking
When it comes to asset monitoring, there are two types of BLE tracking devices that you can use to keep track of your assets, each with their own particular use case: beacons and tags.
BLE beacons and tags don’t necessarily look different, but they are used for very different purposes. Read on to learn more about when and how you should use BLE beacons and BLE tags.
BLE Beacons
BLE beacons are the passive version of the technology, specifically placed on stationary surfaces and fixed assets. They emit an outbound signal to Bluetooth-enabled devices, which can track basic information like ID number and that’s it. They are typically used for indoor navigation in warehouses, so individuals can find what they’re looking for more efficiently.
Because BLE beacons are passive, they are generally meant to blend into the background to be left alone. They also aren’t as durable as BLE tags, because they don’t need to survive the elements, as they aren’t going anywhere.
BLE beacons and tags take many different forms.
Source: Meeblue
BLE Tags
BLE tags are the active version of the technology, as they are attached to movable assets. They generally will provide a bit more information about the tagged item, including actual location data, as well as outside temperature and humidity.
Because BLE tags are active, they are much more durable and are often brightly colored, so users know that assets are tagged and easily trackable.
How Do BLE Trackers Work for Asset Tracking?
Now that you know about the types of BLE tracking devices, it’s time to get to the nitty gritty details about how this technology actually works. For asset tracking in particular, understanding this process can help you make a better decision for your business.
In the most basic of terms, BLE beacons and tags both continuously broadcast a signal that can be picked up by Bluetooth-enabled devices. This signal provides ID and location data, as well as other valuable information like status and temperature, depending on the actual tracking device in use.
All that information is then available to the user through some kind of system or mobile app, allowing them a comprehensive look at their assets in real time.
Advantages of BLE for Asset Tracking
If you’re looking into using BLE for your asset tracking needs, you probably want to know why this kind of change might benefit your business. Fortunately, there are some serious advantages to using BLE for asset tracking, including:
- Longevity – BLE devices use very little power, which means their battery life is substantial enough to last for years without intervention.
- Accuracy – BLE devices are very accurate, so much so that you can use them to track location indoors, like in airports and warehouses.
- Features – BLE devices offer more features than other tracking methods like RFID, like push notifications and environmental conditions.
- Compatibility – BLE devices are compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled devices, which at this point in history is most of them.
- Affordability – BLE devices are quite affordable, making it easy to track your assets at a lower cost.
Disadvantages of BLE for Asset Tracking
While there are a lot of advantages to using BLE tracking for your business, there are also some downfalls that you need to consider before making the decision. Here are some of the disadvantages of BLE for asset tracking:
- Limited range – The range depends on your frequency, but most BLE devices can’t be tracked for more than 100 meters.
- Possible interference – Because it uses Bluetooth technology, the possibility of interference with other Bluetooth-enabled devices is notable.
- Weak security – Bluetooth technology isn’t that secure, which means your tracking data could be vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Even with this pitfalls, BLE technology is still considered one of the best ways to track your assets, along with GPS and RFID tracking. Just make sure these cons don’t represent a dealbreaker for your business.
Is BLE Tracking Right for Your Business?
If you want to utilize Bluetooth technology to track and monitor your assets accurately, BLE tracking is your best bet. This tech is equipped for a wide range of use cases, from warehouse monitoring to device tracking, with plenty of alert functionality and asset data to improve your asset tracking system.
To learn more about the asset tracking process and what kind of providers are out there, be sure to check out our guide to the best free asset tracking providers on the market today.