What Are The Different Types of Asset Tags?

Published on October 13, 2022 • 3 min read

Asset tags are designed to help organisations track the location of their assets and provide information on how those assets are behaving. With various options to choose from it can be difficult to work out which type of asset tag is the ideal solution for you and your team. Read on to discover what each type of asset tag has to offer.

QR Tags

You’re probably already familiar with QR codes in your daily life. They’ve become a common feature of modern transactions and are even popping up on advertisements and posters.  QR codes are similar to barcodes but have the capacity to hold much more information. Their 2D design consists of tiny black modules arranged in a square and can be scanned easily by a smartphone camera. This simple design makes QR codes quick and cheap to produce. Plus, this type of asset tag is the most durable and resilient one on the market. 

itemit offers both vinyl QR code stickers and anodised aluminium QR tags that come in various sizes, ranging from 15 to 23 millimetres. Our tags have been developed to be exceptionally durable, so if your tagged assets are going to be subject to extreme or hazardous conditions then this type of QR tag might be the right one for you.

RFID Tags

There are two main types of RFID tags: passive and active.The tag power system defines which type of system it is.

Passive tags are small in size and rely on the tag reader for power and, as a result, have a transmission range of a few metres.They typically last around 20 years and are fairly cheap compared to active tags. Their small size also means they are able to fit into almost any package or product, making passive tags a great choice for tracking equipment, supply chain management, and access control. 

Active tags are typically larger in size than passive tags but usually no bigger than a smartphone. This type of tag incorporates a transmitter with a battery in a single unit. They have significant data memory and can transmit up to 2000 metres continuously or when activated by a reader’s radio signal. Their ability to cover great distances make them popular in the construction, mining, oil and gas industries. 

Although an active tag can communicate at a much longer range, a passive RFID tag is often still the preferred choice as it is significantly cheaper at the point of sale as well as longer term since passive tags do not require battery replacements. In most use cases, having a shorter read range is an advantage as you can be confident that the tagged item is right in front of you or the reader.

GPS Tags

GPS asset tracking is a system that uses Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to track the location of assets in real-time. GPS tags are the most advanced on this list and enable companies to read and record locations in real-time, providing continuous information about an asset’s location. This type of tag is commonly used to track vehicles, trailers, containers, and other types of equipment. However, these detailed insights also make them more expensive than other types of tags.

itemit’s Asset Tags Solutions

itemit offers a range of asset tags so you can find the one to suit your needs, depending upon the nature of your industry and the conditions your assets are exposed. With itemit you can mix and match different asset tracking technologies, so you can use QR, RFID, and GPS tracking all from one system so you can choose the right type of tag for each asset. You can add various details on the tag including manufacturer’s information, maintenance dates and location details. However, the key to maximising rate of return on assets is to deploy asset tracking software.You can use the software to record and store information as well as run asset performance reports, allowing you to identify weak areas and work on them to boost equipment ROIs.

To find out more about itemit’s asset tracking solutions and how they will help you, contact our team at team@itemit.com that’s always happy to answer your queries. You can also fill in the form below to start your 14-day free trial.