BLE Devices Case Study
Bluetooth Asset Management
Efficiently track and manage large numbers of assets in industrial and logistical environments using Bluetooth beacons.
Overview
Enhance asset visibility and streamline inventory management for unpowered assets such as tools, medical equipment, dollies, and cages:
Improve asset utilization and reduce loss.
Automate inventory tracking and management.
Ensure real-time visibility of asset location and status.
The Problem
Managing a large volume of unpowered assets in industrial and logistical settings can be challenging. Common issues include:
Difficulty in locating assets when needed, leading to delays and inefficiencies.
High risk of asset loss or theft due to lack of visibility.
Time-consuming and error-prone manual inventory processes.
Inadequate tracking of asset utilization and maintenance status.
Pain Points
Difficulty Locating Assets
Assets such as tools, medical equipment, airport dollies, and warehouse cages are often scattered across multiple large sites and facilities, making it challenging to locate them quickly when needed.
Asset Loss and Theft
High risk of assets being misplaced or stolen due to lack of real-time visibility and monitoring.
Inefficient Inventory Management
Manual inventory processes are time-consuming and prone to errors, leading to inaccurate records and inventory discrepancies.
Underutilized Assets
Inadequate tracking leads to assets not being fully utilized, resulting in inefficiencies and higher operational costs.
Delayed Maintenance
Difficulty in keeping track of maintenance schedules and asset conditions, leading to unexpected breakdowns and increased downtime.
Lack of Real-Time Data
Limited real-time data on asset location and status hinders effective decision-making and quick response to operational needs.
Complex Tracking Environments
Industrial and logistical environments are often large and complex, with multiple locations, floors or sections, making asset tracking challenging without automated solutions.
Unauthorized Asset Movement
Lack of monitoring for unauthorized asset movement within or outside designated areas, leading to potential security breaches. No chain of custody for assets.
High Labor Costs
Significant labor resources required for manual tracking, locating, and managing assets, increasing operational costs.
Poor Resource Allocation
Inability to track and analyze asset usage patterns results in inefficient allocation and underutilization of resources.
Lack of Historical Data
Absence of detailed location history and usage data makes it difficult to analyze trends and optimize asset management strategies.
Compliance and Reporting Issues
Difficulty in maintaining accurate records and compliance with industry regulations, auditing and internal policies due to manual tracking systems.
The Solution
Blackhawk.io offers a comprehensive industrial asset tracking and management solution using Bluetooth beacons, designed to address these challenges:
Rugged, Long-Life Bluetooth Beacons
Attach Bluetooth beacons to unpowered assets for real-time tracking and location updates. We offer a range of BLE beacons in various sizes, with battery life options ranging from 3 years to 20 years.
Proximity Detection
Utilize our range of Bluetooth gateways to detect asset proximity and update location data automatically. This range includes fixed gateways, battery-powered mobile gateways, vehicle telematics gateways, handheld scanners and mobile devices (smartphones).
Automated Inventory Management
Streamline inventory processes with automated tracking and real-time movement updates.
BYOD and Mobile Integration
Access asset location and status information via mobile devices for on-the-go visibility.
Alerts and Notifications
Receive alerts for asset movement, unauthorized access, or when assets leave designated areas.
Data Analytics
Generate detailed reports on asset utilization, location history, and inventory status for better decision-making.
Maintenance Tracking
Monitor maintenance schedules and update asset status to ensure timely servicing and compliance.
The Advantages of Blackhawk’s Bluetooth solution:
The Benefits
Implementing Bluetooth beacon-based asset tracking provides numerous benefits:
Improved Asset Utilization
Ensure assets are efficiently used and reduce underutilization by knowing the exact location and status of each asset.
Enhanced Visibility
Gain real-time visibility of asset locations across large industrial and logistical environments.
Reduced Loss and Theft
Minimize the risk of asset loss or theft with continuous tracking and alerts for unauthorized movements.
Streamlined Inventory Management
Automate inventory processes, reducing manual effort and minimizing errors.
Increased Operational Efficiency
Save time and resources by quickly locating assets and improving workflow efficiency.
Better Maintenance Management
Ensure timely maintenance and servicing of assets, reducing downtime and extending asset lifespan.
Data-Driven Decision Making
Leverage detailed analytics and reports to make informed decisions on asset management and allocation.
Blackhawk’s Bluetooth Solution vs. Consumer-grade Solutions
How does Blackhawk Bluetooth differ from consumer-grade solutions like Tile, Apple AirTag, and Samsung SmartTag? Blackhawk Bluetooth PULS – Proximity Ubication Logistics Sensor – provides an industrial, long-life, durable and low TCO solution to asset tracking and management. It provides a superior, industrial-grade solution to consumer-grade offerings:
Fit-for-Purpose Design
Our solution is engineered for commercial use, providing robust tracking and management features for business assets. Consumer-grade solutions like AirTags are designed for personal items and lack the necessary functionality for enterprise asset management, such as motion sensors, real-time tracking, location history, and scalable administration tools.
Scalability and Administration
Blackhawk allows for the management of a large number of tags without a maximum limit, making it suitable for businesses with extensive asset inventories. Consumer solutions have scalability limits—Apple’s AirTag allows only 16 tags per Apple ID, and Samsung SmartTag has a limit of 200 tags, which is restrictive for commercial applications.
Security and Privacy
Our Bluetooth PULS solution is tailored for securing business assets without alerting unauthorized users of its presence, which is a concern with consumer-grade solutions like AirTags, where built-in privacy features may compromize the ability to track stolen property discreetly.
Battery Life and Maintenance
Blackhawk tags are designed with long battery life to minimize maintenance. In contrast, consumer solutions typically offer a battery life of up to one year, which can be significantly less depending on usage, leading to more frequent maintenance intervals.
Range and Coverage
While our solution offers a comprehensive tracking network, consumer tags rely solely on the proximity to individual smartphones with the corresponding app, which can be limited in commercial use cases. Our solution incorporates mobile apps, as well as a multitude of dedicated BLE gateways across a network of partners, providing 24/7/365 expanded range coverage.
Who Benefits
A Bluetooth beacon-based asset tracking system benefits various business functions and departments:
Operations Teams
Improve operational efficiency by ensuring quick and easy access to assets when needed.
Inventory and Asset Managers
Gain better control over inventory processes and ensure accurate tracking of all assets. Enhance security with real-time alerts and notifications for unauthorized asset movements.
Maintenance Teams
Keep track of assets that require maintenance and ensure assets are serviced on time, reducing unexpected downtime.
Finance Departments
Achieve cost savings through better asset utilization, reduced losses, fleet right-sizing and optimized resource allocation and distribution.
Use Cases
Real-world applications of how we solve large scale asset management with Bluetooth beacons:
Logistical Cages (NZ)
