GPS asset tracking and RFID asset management are both a forward stride in how we interact with, track, and manage our assets. They both provide you with more automation, more control, and more clarity over where your assets are and how they’re behaving.

There is a main difference between the two, and this difference is what separates the functionalities. GPS asset tracking is much better at tracking assets when you’d otherwise lose control or visibility, where RFID is much better at tracking assets that are still on-premises.

How Does GPS Asset Tracking Work?

GPS asset tracking works through the use of GPS trackers to track the locations of your assets. Therefore, there is minimal interaction with your assets.

Your GPS trackers can be configured in a few different ways, too. Your GPS tracker will periodically ping your asset tracking app with your asset’s location. This can be changed so that updates are more frequent when an asset is in motion or are generally less frequent if your asset isn’t moving around that much.

GPS trackers also come with extra theft-mitigating features, such as the ability to set up geofences and tamper-proofing. This makes GPS tracking the most effective way to stop theft as you’ll be able to ensure that when an asset leaves your area of control you’ll still be able to monitor its movements.

How Does RFID Asset Management Work?

RFID asset management works by using RFID asset tags to monitor and control asset changes, edits, and movements. There is a difference, here, in that handheld RFID asset tracking is different from fixed RFID asset management.

Handheld RFID tracking works in a similar way to if you were using barcodes or QR codes, as you’ll interact with a physical asset by scanning its tag. Then, the asset’s profile will open in your asset tracking app, ready for edits, and the last seen location will update via your phone’s GPS location.

Fixed RFID asset tracking is more similar to GPS as you won’t use an asset’s tag to access an asset’s location. In the same way, both of these create an automated way to track where your assets are, as fixed RFID asset tracking is a procedure whereby your assets’ locations will update any time an asset moves between rooms, for example.

GPS Vs. RFID

GPS and RFID asset tracking are both more helpful to implement on higher-value assets to ensure an effective ROI, but their differing features means that the better one totally depends on your requirements.

If your assets only move around on-premises, you’ll be better off using fixed RFID asset management as you can maintain a high level of control and transparency that way. If you only wish to edit and view asset details, you’ll be better off with RFID generally as you’ll be able to use handheld RFID asset management.

GPS asset tracking is much better if your assets move large distances or if they’re at a high risk of theft, as GPS is the only way you’ll maintain a view of where an asset is if it leaves the premises.

With itemit, you’ll be able to mix and match these technologies to get the best result. So, you’ll be able to use QR code, barcode, RFID, fixed RFID and GPS asset tracking functionalities simultaneously.

To find out more about itemit’s asset tracking features or if you have any questions, you’ll be able to book a demo using the button below.

You can also contact the team with any questions at team@itemit.com or fill in the form below to start your 14-day free trial.

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Asset tracking has come a long way in its long and interesting history. While there have been assets, there has been a need to track them and manage them.

Businesses throughout history have known the need to verify what they own and track it effectively. The need is still developing as more technology arises and as our assets get more multifaceted features and functionality.

The History Of Asset Tracking

Assets were largely tools and equipment in the past, which is why tracking them could be more rudimentary. As technology would have been in its infancy, too, the ability to track assets was more difficult.

Therefore, modern-day asset tracking started out with the use of spreadsheets to log and monitor ownership. This developed from pen and paper, but the problems were still similar.

Each asset would be logged in a cell and the corresponding row would contain data related to that asset, such as its location or information related to its finances.

This created issues such as an increased risk of ghost and zombie assets as this required a lot of manual input and editing to keep the sheets up to date. However, the technology just wasn’t there to automate or speed up any operations.

Where Asset Management Is Today

After the development of apps and smartphones, asset tracking developed into something more automated and manageable. Asset tracking software was developed off the back of spreadsheets, noting their inefficiencies and problems and solving them.

Incrementally, the needs of businesses became clearer as asset tracking software developed, which gave way to new features that could be integrated into asset management.

The fundamental need has always been there to be able to log assets, track their locations, and interactions workers have had with assets, but the way these interactions were logged and managed could be improved.

Now, auditing is much simpler thanks to streamlined scanning and the power of a smartphone, and check in check out features are available alongside inventory in a way that would have been totally unmanageable in the past.

The Future Of Asset Tracking

Asset tracking will continue to develop in this direction, taking the needs of businesses and adding helpful asset-related features. Technology will also drive changes in how we track our assets.

As the development of the smartphone was essential in how asset management has improved over the years, developments in other technologies, such as RFID, GPS, BLE, and NFC will also continue to improve how easy and quick it is to undertake asset tracking operations.

itemit has already implemented a world-first, award-winning fixed RFID asset management system which will help drive the charge towards more automation, more ease of use, and more functionality.

Asset management functionality will only improve and develop in this direction, improving how easy it is to keep track of your things.

A Note From The itemit Team

Season’s greetings from the itemit team! We know it has been a challenging year for everyone and have the hope that the future holds something better and brighter. 2021 will undoubtedly throw up new challenges, new successes, and new strange or wonderful times.

Wherever you are in the world, we hope you’re safe and happy and that you’re still managing to enjoy the festive season with loved ones, whether over the phone, online, or in person. 

On our end, we’ll still be developing, still be happy to take your calls and questions with a smile, and still passionate about our system. We’re excited to show you many of our upcoming features and we’re looking forward to what the future holds with our existing customers, as well as any and all new ones.

We have confidence that 2021 will be the start of something new and exciting. 

Stay safe,

The RedBite Team.

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Asset labels will help you keep an eye on your things. You’ll be able to verify that you own certain equipment, manage your assets, and keep closer track of where everything is.

Asset labels don’t have to be technological, either. They can be customisable, but only need to be barcodes or QR codes to get the most out of their functionality.

What Are Asset Labels?

Asset labels are labels that you physically stick onto your assets for identification purposes. In terms of the Internet of Things, certain types of asset tags were developed and improved for auto-ID purposes. However, you’ll only need a standard, but unique, barcode to track your assets effectively.

As the information on your asset tag will be unique, it’ll be possible to use it to link to a unique asset. In other words, you’ll be able to use your asset tag for identification purposes as there will be a single asset and a single tag.

You’ll have already created an asset register of unique assets on your asset management system, so the next step will be to add asset tags to the mix.

How Asset Tags Work

Asset tags work by using unique information to tell your asset management system which asset has been discovered. 

In other words, if you’re using asset labelling for IT asset management, all of your laptops will have been logged onto your IT asset management software.

As all of these laptops are unique, if one has an issue, you’ll want to be able to log the issue against that specific laptop and be able to identify where it is and how to fix it easily.

Asset tags and labels work by giving you the ability to do this. As the information is unique, you’ll be able to link the asset tag to the asset, meaning that you’ll be able to scan the asset’s tag and report the issue.

More Clarity And Control

Overall, asset tagging operations give you more clarity and control over your operations. You can edit the data of assets that are physically in front of you, for example, with a smartphone and a smartphone camera.

This has expanded into multiple different features that are based on scanning functionality. For example, you’ll be able to run audits to verify that all of your assets are in the correct location.

As asset labels are customisable, too, you get full control and peace of mind that your tags are going to stick onto the assets and stay. For example, you’ll be able to use metal QR code asset tags for heavy-duty equipment and standard vinyl tags for equipment that goes through less weathering.

Overall, asset labels give you a level of control and clarity over your assets that ensures you lose fewer items and that your fixed asset register is well maintained and up to date.

To find out more about how itemit’s asset management software can help you, you’ll be able to book a demo using the button below.

You can also contact the team at team@itemit.com or fill in the form below to start your 14-day free trial.

Why not check out these blogs:

What Is A Fixed Asset Management System?

How To Tag Fixed Assets

What Is The History Of Asset Management?

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