First launched in 1993, the United States GPS (Global Positioning System) has transformed the way that we track assets. Now complemented and rivaled by constellations from other nations. Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) all work by having a tiny receiver listen for and perform sophisticated math on signals emitted by a constellation of satellites with highly accurate clocks.
Due to the nature of the technology, the receiver needs to register at least four satellites in order to resolve an accurate location – three for triangulation and another for calibrating its own sense of time. Concrete, metal, and other solid objects in between the satellites and the receiver weaken the signals to the point of preventing detection at all. When this happens, the receiver fails to find enough satellites to determine its location, making GPS unusable in environments like warehouses, hospitals, and multi-story buildings.
Where traditional GPS fails, businesses need to turn to specialized indoor asset-tracking solutions and WiFi positioning to track their assets.
Indoor asset tracking uses WiFi technology to track the location of assets within indoor environments. Unlike GPS which uses satellite signals, indoor tracking solutions use alternative methods like WiFi, Bluetooth®, or other technologies to overcome signal obstructions.
Indoor environments like warehouses, hospitals, and manufacturing facilities have high-value assets that need to be managed. Tracking these assets means:
In hospitals, indoor asset tracking ensures assets such as wheelchairs, infusion pumps, and beds are always available when you need them. By monitoring their location in real-time, you can reduce time searching for equipment, and improve equipment utilization and patient care efficiency. With indoor positioning systems using WiFi, you can track assets across floors and departments.
Indoor asset tracking in warehouses optimizes storage and supply chain operations. By monitoring pallets, forklifts, and inventory, you can streamline workflows, reduce misplacement, and get goods ready for shipment, ultimately increasing operational efficiency. A WiFi indoor positioning system makes this happen without the need for expensive hardware.
Factories use indoor asset tracking to ensure tools and machinery are in the right place at the right time. With a WiFi-based location system, you can track equipment across big facilities and avoid production delays due to misplaced tools. This level of visibility enhances operational efficiency and reduces downtime.
A WiFi positioning system (WPS) uses existing WiFi networks to locate an asset. These systems work by scanning for nearby WiFi access points and analyzing the signal strength to estimate the device’s position.
Having an indoor tracking solution is critical for businesses that operate in large or complex indoor environments.
A WiFi GPS tracker is a hybrid device that combines the best of GPS and WiFi technologies to track across indoor and outdoor environments.
The edge range, including devices like the Oyster Edge, has hybrid tracking capabilities allowing for seamless indoor/outdoor tracking. The edge range achieves this by:
Indoor asset tracking requires special solutions such as a WiFi positioning system to ensure reliable and cost-effective tracking. For companies that require both indoor and outdoor tracking, we recommend a hybrid solution such as our edge range. Get in touch with us today to talk about your requirements and see the Digital Matter difference.