RFID Asset Tracking

If you’re running a business that relies on high-value assets like machinery, tools, or vehicles, RFID asset tracking can help you track them. It can also help you reduce costs and streamline your operations.

An RFID asset tracking system uses tags attached to these assets and readers that pick up their signals. This data is then logged into a central database.

Cost

RFID asset tracking is a powerful tool businesses can use to improve their inventory and supply chain management. It can help to reduce labour costs, prevent loss or theft, and optimise supply chains by avoiding room for human error. Learn more here www.ramprfid.com/solutions/rfid-asset-tracking.

The cost of an asset tracking system can vary significantly, depending on the type of tracking needed and the level of automation desired. For example, fixed RFID systems are a great way to automate the monitoring of assets inside a building. In contrast, handheld systems are ideal for auditing or locating equipment on a job site.

One of the significant factors determining the cost of an asset tracking system is its software. It can be a substantial expense, especially for active RFID solutions offering real-time data, which can be expensive to maintain.

RTLS (Real-Time Location System) companies often include software costs in their total system pricing, while others may have separate licenses and support fees for their software. The type of RTLS software you choose will determine the cost of your asset tracking system and the amount of customisation and integration you need.

Active RFID tags are a good option for companies implementing real-time location tracking. They come with a built-in power source and can be read up to 30 meters away, but they are more expensive than passive or semi-passive RFID.

Passive RFID tags can be read up to 25 meters but do not have a battery and must be charged with an external energy source, like a power outlet. They are cheaper than active or semi-passive tags but are less effective for indoor tracking and require more excellent operating skills.

The cost of an asset tracking system depends on the number of readers you need and how many items you want to track. You also need to consider the size of your business and the type of assets you’re following. For example, if you have a lot of laptops that need to be tracked, you’ll need more readers than if you only need to track pallets or equipment.

Read Ranges

RFID asset tracking uses radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to track and locate assets. These systems can be used in various industries, including manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. They can help businesses reduce costs, improve efficiency, and increase security.

The RFID tags are affixed to the tracked assets and transmit data when they come within range of an RFID reader. Once the tag has transmitted its information, it can be stored in a central database and accessed through software.

A few different types of tags can be used with an RFID asset tracking system, and each has its benefits. Generally speaking, active tags have a higher memory capacity and can store more information than passive tags, but they also require batteries that need to be replaced.

Passive RFID tags have no power source and use all three frequencies to reflect energy from the readers’ antennas, which makes them significantly more affordable than active tags. However, they have a limited read range and can experience interference from metals and liquids.

They may not work well in environments with these components, such as conveyor belts and manufacturing lines. They can also be affected by cordless phones and wireless computers. Learn more here www.ramprfid.com/solutions/rfid-asset-tracking.

A unique passive RFID tag optimised for particular materials can be the best option. For example, passive asset tags are optimised for metals and ceramics, which can ensure that they will not interfere with the signal transmissions from your readers.

These RFID tags benefit assets that must be tracked in harsh environmental conditions. For example, dredging pipes at ports or valves in oil fields will need labels that can withstand temperatures extremes, high pressure and exposure to chemicals.

Some biotech or pharmaceutical lab items will also need unique tags that can withstand chemical cleaning and autoclave processing. These tags will also need to withstand mechanical impact, shock and vibration.

These tags can be used to track inventory and other valuable assets. By combining the power of RFID tags and RFID readers with software, you can track your investments in real-time and get the most out of them.

Antennas

RFID asset tracking systems use a combination of RF (Radio Frequency) tags, antennas and readers to identify fixed and movable assets. These can be used in manufacturing, warehouses, distribution centres, construction sites and more to record data about the movements of assets around a site or across a country.

RFID tags and readers can track various assets, from oversized pallets to small components. Using RFID to keep track of these assets will help you manage them better and improve efficiency.

Understanding the various types of tags and how they work to make the most of your asset-tracking system is essential. Each tag type has unique characteristics that determine how it transmits and receives information, so you must choose the best one for your specific use case.

There are three main types of RFID tags: active, passive and semi-passive. The first type is the simplest and has an integrated circuit and antenna, while the other two are more sophisticated.

Active RFID tags transmit their signals, meaning they have a more extended range than passive and semi-passive ones. It allows them to be used in environments where they will be moving around and must be read more frequently.

Passive RFID tags are also available but have a smaller range and require no batteries, making them more suitable for assets that may be in storage for long periods or don’t need to be tracked.