What is RFID Asset Tracking & How Does it Work? Everything You Need to Know About RFID Technology

If you're like most business owners, you're always looking for new and innovative ways to improve your productivity and streamline your operations. That's why RFID asset tracking is such an attractive option for so many companies. RFID technology is becoming more and more popular, and for a good reason. It's a powerful tool that can help you keep track of your assets in a way that is efficient and cost-effective.

So, do you know what RFID asset tracking is? If not, you're in for a treat! In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about RFID technology and how it can be used for asset tracking.

Keep reading to learn more about RFID asset tracking and how it can benefit your business.

What is RFID Asset Tracking?

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID asset tracking is a system that uses RFID tags to track and manage assets. RFID tags are small devices that contain a chip and an antenna. The chip stores information about the asset, and the antenna emits a radio signal that can be read by an RFID reader.

Since your business relies on the availability of its high-value assets, asset tracking is essential to ensuring that these assets are accounted for and properly managed. RFID asset tracking can provide you with real-time visibility into the location of your assets, as well as valuable insights into how they are being used.

RFID asset tracking can be used to track a wide variety of assets, including inventory, vehicles, equipment, and even people. The potential applications of RFID asset tracking are virtually endless!

In its simplest form, RFID IoT asset tracking allows you to automate the management and to locate processes of your assets. By affixing RFID tags to your assets, you can keep track of them without having to physically check on their location or manually enter data into a system. This can save you a significant amount of time and money in the long run.

RFID asset tracking is also an excellent solution for businesses that need to track assets in harsh or remote environments. RFID asset tags are rugged and durable, and they don't require line-of-sight to be read, which means they can be used in virtually any environment.

How does RFID Asset Tracking Work?

RFID asset tracking systems typically consist of three components:

• RFID tags
• RFID readers
• Software

RFID Tags:

RFID tags are small devices that are affixed to assets. RFID tags contain a chip and an antenna. The chip stores information about the asset, and the antenna emits a radio signal that can be read by an RFID reader.

There are three main types of RFID tags that are commonly used for asset tracking: passive RFID tags, active RFID tags, and battery-assisted passive (BAP) RFID tags.

Passive RFID tags are the most common type of tag used for asset tracking. These tags rely on the power emitted by the reader to transmit their data. Passive RFID tags are typically less expensive than active or BAP tags and have a longer lifespan.

Active RFID tags are powered by an internal battery and can transmit their data over a much greater distance than passive RFID tags. Active RFID tags typically have a shorter lifespan than passive or BAPtags but are more expensive.

Battery-assisted passive (BAP) RFID tags are a type of hybrid tag that combines the features of active and passive RFID tags. BAP tags are powered by an internal battery but can also draw power from the reader, which allows them to transmit their data over a much greater distance than passive RFID tags. BAP tags typically have a shorter lifespan than active RFID tags but are more expensive.

RFID Readers:

RFID readers are devices that emit radio waves and receive signals from RFID tags. RFID readers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and they can be handheld or fixed.

RFID Software:

What is asset tracking software? RFID software is used to collect data from RFID asset tags and store it in a central database. This data can then be used to track the location of assets, monitor asset utilization, and generate valuable insights about your business operations.

Most asset tracking software applications are web-based, which means they can be accessed from any internet-connected device. This makes it easy for businesses to track their assets from anywhere in the world.

Asset tracking software typically includes the following features:

Asset management: Asset management is the process of tracking and managing assets throughout their lifecycle. This includes keeping track of asset locations, monitoring asset utilization, and maintaining asset records.

Reporting and analytics: Reporting and analytics features allow businesses to generate valuable insights about their asset tracking data. This data can be used to improve asset utilization, optimize business operations, and make better decisions about where to allocate resources.

GPS tracking: GPS tracking is a feature that allows businesses to track the location of their assets in real-time. This information can be used to monitor asset utilization, track the movement of inventory, and locate lost or stolen assets.

Geofencing: Geofencing is a feature that allows businesses to create virtual boundaries around specific locations. This information can be used to trigger alerts when assets move into or out of a particular area.

Most RFID asset tracking systems use passive RFID tags. Passive RFID tags are less expensive than active RFID tags, and they have a shorter read range. However, their shorter read range is typically not an issue for asset tracking applications because assets are usually only required to be tracked within a certain area, such as a warehouse or a store.

To track an asset, the RFID tag is affixed to the asset, and the asset is then placed within the range of an RFID reader. When the RFID tag comes within range of the RFID reader, the reader will emit a radio signal that activates the tag. The tag will then transmit its information to the reader, which will be stored in a central database. This process can be repeated as often as necessary to track the asset's location in real-time.

The software is used to store and manage the data collected by the RFID tags and readers. It is important to note that RFID asset tracking systems do not require a line of sight to work. This means that you can track your assets even if they are hidden from view. For instance, if you are tracking inventory in a warehouse, the RFID tags can be placed on the shelves, and the RFID readers can be placed at the entrance to the warehouse. The data collected by the system can then be used to track the movement of inventory in and out of the warehouse.

RFID asset tracking systems are highly customizable and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your business. For instance, you can choose to have fixed or handheld RFID readers, depending on your asset tracking needs. You can also add GPS capabilities to your RFID asset tags, which will allow you to track the location of your assets in real-time.

How Does RFID Asset Tracking Benefit Your Business?

RFID asset tracking provides many benefits that can be extremely valuable to your business. Here are just a few of the ways RFID asset tracking can benefit your business:

Improve asset utilization

When it comes to asset utilization, RFID asset tracking can help you get the most out of your assets by providing you with real-time visibility into their location and usage. This information can be used to optimize your asset utilization and ensure that your assets are being used as efficiently as possible.

Reduce operational costs

Operational costs are always a concern for businesses, and RFID asset tracking can help you reduce these costs in several ways. First, RFID asset tracking can help you reduce the need for manual asset tracking. This can lead to a reduction in labor costs and an increase in efficiency. Additionally, RFID asset tracking can help you avoid losses due to lost or stolen assets.

Increase security

Security is always a top priority for businesses, and RFID asset tracking can help you improve the security of your assets. By providing real-time visibility into the location of your assets, you can quickly identify when an asset has gone missing and take steps to recover it. Additionally, by adding GPS capabilities to your RFID tags, you can track the movement of your assets and ensure that they are not being used without your permission.

Enhance customer service

Customer service is another area where RFID asset tracking can benefit your business. By providing you with real-time visibility into the location of your assets, you can quickly and easily locate items that your customers are looking for. Additionally, RFID asset tracking can help you avoid out-of-stocks and ensure that your shelves are always stocked with the products your customers need.

Improve inventory management

Inventory management is a critical part of any business, and RFID asset tracking can help you improve your inventory management processes. By providing real-time visibility into the location and status of your inventory, you can avoid stockouts and ensure that your shelves are always stocked with the products your customers need. Additionally, RFID asset tracking can help you streamline your order picking processes and reduce the amount of time it takes to fulfill customer orders.

Collect data in real-time

Another benefit of RFID asset tracking is that it allows you to collect data in real-time. This information can be used to improve asset utilization, optimize business operations, and make better decisions about where to allocate resources. Additionally, this data can be used to generate valuable insights about your customers and their shopping habits.

RFID asset tracking provides many benefits that can be extremely valuable to your business. By providing real-time visibility into the location and status of your assets, you can improve asset utilization, reduce operational costs, increase security, enhance customer service, and improve inventory management. If you are looking for a way to improve the efficiency of your business, RFID asset tracking may be the perfect solution. To learn more about RFID asset tracking or to find out how it can benefit your business, contact Tata Tele today.

What Are the Different Levels of Frequency for RFID Asset Management GPS Tracking?

RFID asset tracking systems can operate at three different frequencies: low-frequency (LF), high-frequency (HF), and ultra-high-frequency (UHF).

Low-frequency RFID asset tracking systems operate at a frequency of 125 kHz or 134.0 kHz. These systems are typically used for short-range asset tracking applications such as inventory management.

High-frequency RFID asset tracking systems operate at a frequency of 13.56 MHz. These systems are typically used for long-range asset tracking applications such as supply chain management.

Ultra-high frequency RFID asset tracking systems operate at a frequency of 433 MHz, 920 MHz, or even higher. These systems are typically used for asset tracking applications that require a very high degree of accuracy, such as asset location.

Barcode Vs. RFID: Which Asset Location Services are Best for Tracking Assets?

Barcode asset tracking is a system that uses barcodes to track the location of assets. Barcode asset tracking is typically used for inventory management and asset tracking applications that do not require a high degree of accuracy.

RFID asset tracking is a system that uses RFID tags to track the location of assets. RFID asset tracking is typically used for asset tracking applications that require a high degree of accuracy, such as asset location.

So, which system is best for your business? It really depends on your specific needs. If you need a high degree of accuracy for your asset tracking application, then RFID asset tracking would be the best choice. However, if you do not need a high degree of accuracy, then barcode asset tracking would be a good choice.

To learn more about RFID asset tracking or to find out how it can benefit your business, contact Tata Tele today. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have.