GPS Asset Tracking Vs. RFID Asset Management

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.

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