How Implementing RTLS Helps In Promoting Efficiency
By definition, RTLS or a Real-Time Location System is a recently developed technology that gives its users the ability to determine the precise location of a specific item as long as a wireless tag is attached to it and is within the reader’s bandwidth. Apart from the ability to find misplaced assets, the user can use a geo-referenced digital map to track the location of the tagged item as it is being transported, as well as help find the best path it can follow.
While this innovation might seem unnecessary to businesses that already have an established process in their asset management, RTLS provides the owners or managers of these businesses with the ability to conveniently track their assets in real-time. This means that the asset management process is made more efficient if RTLS is integrated into it.
With RTLS, the RFID asset tracking system or RFID technology as a whole is becoming more advanced and powerful when it comes to business use, and is easier to incorporate into the business workflow. Read on to find out exactly how RTLS helps promote efficiency.
Integrating it into the business workflow
There are many types of real-time location services specifically tailored for different businesses, all of which calls for very specific requirements. With the availability of WiFi connection, RFID or radio frequency identification, and Bluetooth it enables businesses to use RTLS.
Given that each type of RTLS technology serves different purposes, having to choose one can be quite challenging. Mr. Troy Miller from Acuity Brands says that business owners should prioritise what they need and what they want to track so they can easily narrow their options. To put into perspective – integrating an RFID tool tracking system into a business’ asset management does not cause too many financial implications since the tags are competitively priced. But if the business has a lot of assets or reference points to keep track of, the infrastructure costs may need consideration.
As an alternative, adopting RTLS through Bluetooth technology is plausible since most if not all devices are already Bluetooth capable. Additionally, RTLS tags are more durable despite being small in size.
How RTLS promotes efficiency
As an unspoken standard, businesses all over the world have effective processes and operation measures in place, one of them is regular inventory check on their assets. An accurate inventory count help businesses keep track of their items or goods such as their batch date, classification, expiry date, should they be selling perishables. On top of that, there is the responsibility of making sure that these items are delivered promptly because any delay can cause a domino effect on the other aspects of the business.
There is nothing wrong with these established measures and processes because they are proven to be effective, as long as the work is done diligently with accuracy. However this can be greatly improved by incorporating RTLS because asset managers no longer have to manually keep track of an item’s location or coordinates to see if it has been delivered or not. If RTLS is integrated, all they have to do is to glance at their computer to check the delivery status. This makes the job more time efficient and less physically taxing.
All in all, RTLS helps to elevate RFID and greatly boost efficiency. In other words, businesses will be improved, making way for smoother and enhanced business operations.
