The Active Asset Tracker (AAT)™ Solution from Barcoding, Inc. leverages Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons and the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) to turn assets into living sensors. It actively turns physical assets into sensors that provide enterprises with near real-time physical inventory visibility.
In combination with the mobile AAT App (compatible with iOS and Android), the BLE beacons allow users to continuously and accurately track information about an asset’s presence, temperature, and movement. Once placed on tracked assets, the beacons communicate data every two seconds to smartphones over 150′ away, even when inside a vehicle or container. From the mobile application, users can change an asset’s “state,” such as “en route” to “on site”. The beacon’s LED indicates this status to assist in asset identification.
Data transmitted from the beacon includes asset ID, signal strength, battery life, location, LED state, maximum/minimum/current temperature, and more. Users can view this information from the AAT app’s dashboard and even set up e-mail alerts based on threshold exceptions. Easy to deploy and integrate with existing equipment, beacons come with serialized barcode labels to enable quick association with assets. BLE beacons measure less than 2″ x 2″, are powered by a button cell with up to a five year battery life, and can be custom configured to meet application needs.
The Active Asset Tracker can identify hundreds of assets in a few seconds and locate them to a device’s GPS location. This helps users gain full visibility of asset life cycle, increases accuracy of inventory counts, and reduces asset loss.
For example, using BLE beacons, a CloudNode (or smartphone), and a mobile application, AAT was implemented at the Mount Airy Casino Resort to enhance security and maintain regulatory compliance by preventing keys from leaving the casino floor. BLE beacons were attached to each of the targeted key’s rings and a CloudNode and stack light were installed near the facility exit. When the CloudNode detected a “tagged” key ring in the area, the system turned on the stack light and sent an e-mail alert to security about the incident.
“Barcoding’s system was extremely cost effective and easy to deploy,” said Lianne Asbury, director of security, Mount Airy Casino Resort. “We expect that it will help us avoid regulatory fines by serving as a deterrent to anyone attempting to leave the facility with a key, even if by accident. Moving forward, we hope to expand our use of the solution to generate reports for analysis and auditing purposes.”
Barcoding can also deploy its Active Asset Tracker solution in conjunction with its passive RFID system. This creates a hybrid system, using both technologies deployed in a single application. AAT is suitable for enterprises of all sizes and across industries. Deployments are performed and supported by Barcoding’s Professional Services division to ensure optimal integration and maximum uptime.
