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Asset Management & Tracker SIM Cards

CRITICAL ASSET-TRACKING CONNECTIVITY

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Asset Management Using IoT Connectivity & IoT Platforms

Complicated worldwide supply chains and business assets require continuous monitoring to ensure valuable objects and assets are easily found, utilised, and maintained. Caburn Telecom’s IoT connectivity and geo-resilient multi-network IoT SIM cards help streamline this process and enable businesses to transition to a service-based model with steady revenue streams. Caburn Telecom’s worldwide multi-network SIM cards offer resilient mobile connectivity for global or regional use, alongside our user-friendly IoT SIM management platform, for streamlined connectivity management.

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Principal Asset Tracking Technologies

Asset tracking technology has transformed how companies oversee their important assets. These applications use advanced technology to monitor assets, offering real-time visibility and improving operational efficiency. Below, we explore the key types of asset tracking apps and the types of connectivity they usually need.

GPS-based Tracking Applications:

GPS tracking apps utilise GPS technology to monitor asset locations, relying on constant data flow for live updates. Assets need a GPS receiver and cellular connection to send data to a server for access via web or mobile app.

RFID-based Tracking Applications:

RFID-based tracking systems use radio waves to locate and monitor assets with RFID tags. These systems need a moderate level of connectivity to collect and send tag data to a central database. RFID readers and network connections are usually needed for this process. The tracking system can be accessed through a web interface or specific software.

Barcode-based Tracking Applications:

Barcode tracking systems utilise barcodes for asset identification and tracking. Connectivity needed is moderate, for real-time scanning and updating of barcode data. Generally, barcode scanners or mobile devices with cameras are necessary for capturing barcode details. Data is sent to a central database via network connection (wired or wireless). Access to the application can be through a web interface or dedicated software.

IoT-based Tracking Applications:

IoT tracking apps use sensors and network connections to monitor assets, needing a constant flow of data from sensors in assets. They need a strong network connection to send sensor data to a central server via wired or wireless connection. Users can access the app through a web interface or mobile app for real-time asset data monitoring and analysis.

Cloud-based Tracking Applications:

Cloud-based tracking apps store asset information in the cloud for easy access and collaboration from any location. They need a strong internet connection to update data and are accessed through a web browser or mobile app with internet connectivity.

In summary, there are different types of asset tracking applications, each with specific connectivity needs. GPS and IoT applications need strong connectivity for live tracking and data transfer. RFID and barcode applications need moderate connectivity to record and update asset information. Cloud-based applications need constant internet connection to access and update asset data. Businesses must understand the connectivity needs of asset tracking apps to track and manage assets efficiently.

GPS Location Systems

GPS receivers determine the exact position of tracked assets through trilateration, which involves measuring distances between the receiver and several GPS satellites. Each satellite broadcasts its location and time of transmission. The receiver gathers signals from multiple satellites and computes distances by timing how long it takes for each signal to reach the receiver, based on the speed of light.

After determining distances to four satellites, the receiver employs trilateration to pinpoint its exact location. This method entails intersecting spheres or circles to locate the common point of intersection, indicating the receiver’s position on Earth. By processing time and distance data from satellites, the GPS receiver’s software calculates latitude, longitude, and altitude coordinates crucial for determining the asset’s precise location.

Navigating through poor weather conditions or inside buildings can be a challenge when relying on GPS. The effectiveness of GPS can be significantly reduced in these scenarios due to interference with signals. In poor weather conditions, such as heavy rain or thick fog, GPS signals can be weakened or disrupted, leading to inaccurate location data. Similarly, when inside buildings with thick walls or multiple floors, GPS signals may struggle to penetrate through, resulting in unreliable navigation. While GPS technology has come a long way in recent years, it is important to consider its limitations in certain conditions and have alternative navigation methods available.

Bluetooth Beacons & Asset Tracking

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Beacons are revolutionising asset tracking in a variety of industries. These small, low-energy, short range devices transmit signals to nearby edge devices, routers or IoT gateways, providing valuable data on the location and movement of assets. 

By placing these beacons on valuable equipment or inventory, businesses can easily track their whereabouts in real-time, leading to improved efficiency and security. Additionally, the use of BLE Beacons in asset tracking allows for easy integration, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

These devices are particularly suited to checking the location of assets in relation to edge gateways located in or around buildings such as offices, hospitals, warehouses, apartments and factories, where GPS may be unreliable.

Asset Efficiency Through Predictive Maintenance

The move to continuous condition monitoring of critical assets has allowed businesses to safely move away from scheduled maintenance to more efficient prioritisation of resources.

Over time the monitoring generates actionable intelligence that if fed into modelling tools can build into predictive analytics, avoiding unscheduled downtime and costly failures.

For this to be safe and effective asset management systems need to have simple, highly available network connectivity.

Even the best networks suffer occasional outages, however, in that instance our multi-network SIMs allow your monitoring devices or gateways to choose the best available alternative network with no steering or preference.

The approach we take at Caburn Telecom, keeping your data safe at all times within our network operator partners’ infrastructures ensures maximum up-time and resilience.

When mobile assets are involved, the connectivity must be predictable and reliable regardless of the asset location, our global SIMs and regional tariffs make this simple to achieve.

The Role of IoT Management Platform in Asset Tracking & Management

One of the key components in asset tracking and management are IoT management platforms. IoT platform plays a crucial role in effectively managing and tracking assets across various industries. With the integration of IoT devices and sensors, the platform enables real-time tracking and monitoring of assets, providing valuable insights and data for better decision-making.

IoT management platform acts as a central hub, collecting and managing data from multiple sources, such as GPS devices and RFID tags, allowing businesses to have a comprehensive view of their assets’ location, condition, and usage. This not only optimises operational efficiency but also enhances asset security and reduces the risk of loss or theft.

IoT management platforms serve as an indispensable tool in asset tracking and management, offering businesses greater control and visibility over their assets, enabling them to make informed decisions and streamline their operations.

Links & Articles: Uses of IoT in Asset Tracking

Asset tracking sounds simple, but there are a number of challenges and pitfalls need to be considered. Please, therefore, read our articles which discuss the current trends, new technologies, typical issues and how they can be overcome:

You can also view here: our case study of the use of IoT connectivity within predictive waste management and also our case study on cold chain and supply monitoring. 

Case Studies

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Seguirincat Case study, image.

Segurincat

Project type: Connected security and alarm systems for commercial and domestic customers. Location:...

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Connected IoT/M2M Solutions Across all Sectors

Please contact us if you would like to discuss your IoT SIM or M2M requirements or would like to learn more about our industry-leading secure and resilient IoT / M2M connectivity plans. We can also discuss any individual technical issues you may be encountering within your IoT / M2M deployments or from your existing SIM or connectivity supplier. This is, of course, on a no obligation basis.

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