In the modern context of logistics and asset management, efficiency and traceability have become essential priorities. In this scenario, Returnable Assets play a crucial role in optimizing business processes. But what exactly are Returnable Assets?

Returnable Assets

Returnable Assets are assets designed to be reused within the same facility or throughout the company network, without the need for disposal or leaving the operational cycle. A common example is pallets, used for transporting and moving goods, which remain within the company perimeter and are reused continuously. Other examples include industrial containers, such as boxes or tanks, used for transporting (within the facility or between facilities) raw materials, finished products or carts and shelves used in production lines. These assets, due to their constant reuse, help make the business process more sustainable and economical.

What are the advantages of adopting BLE solutions to track Returnable Assets?

Real-time localization solutions (RTLS) based on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology, like those offered by BlueUp, allow for the precise tracking of objects and people within defined spaces, both inside and outside company facilities. The main advantages of RTLS include:

• Accurate asset tracking: improving business efficiency by reducing search times and optimizing resource management.
• Real-time visibility: allowing more dynamic management of production and logistics processes, improving responsiveness to business needs.
• Reduced human errors: automation in inventory and asset management eliminates manual intervention, reducing the risk of mistakes.

BLE solutions are particularly suitable for the reuse model of assets, as they enable the implementation of indoor positioning systems (IPS), promoting the reuse of BLE devices. This way, the initial investment in hardware can be amortized over time by reusing BLE tags along with the assets themselves.

Why are Returnable Assets ideal for tracking with BLE technology?

There are various technologies alternative to BLE, but for tracking Returnable Assets, which stay within a single facility or move between various facilities while remaining in the company’s circuit, BLE technology is the most cost-effective solution.

An alternative technology could be GPS, applying GPS trackers with cellular connectivity to individual assets. While GPS could seem suitable for real-time tracking, especially during transportation stages, it lacks sufficient localization precision within the closed spaces of various facilities. Additionally, the implementation and management costs (such as data traffic and SaaS platforms) are high.

Another alternative might be RFID. Although RFID tags are low-cost, this technology requires dedicated portals for entry and exit, with high infrastructure costs in each facility, and does not offer localization inside business environments.

Therefore, the most suitable technology for tracking Returnable Assets is BLE. Although using BLE tags requires a higher initial investment compared to more affordable solutions like passive tags, the advantages of this technology become evident when applied to Returnable Assets.

Firstly, using BLE tags on Returnable Assets allows for rapid amortization of the tag costs due to their reusability. Since assets are used repeatedly, the cost of the tracking system is distributed over a long period, making the initial investment more sustainable. Moreover, BLE tags are designed to be durable and not “disposable”, meaning they can be used for many asset lifecycle cycles. This durability reduces waste and promotes more efficient resource management.

BLE tags also offer numerous advantages over other tracking technologies. Unlike passive tags, which require a reader to detect the position, BLE tags autonomously communicate their location and other useful information without the need for manual intervention. This automatic communication enables real-time monitoring, improving operational efficiency. Furthermore, BLE tags have a longer range than traditional passive systems, making them ideal for complex environments like warehouses or production facilities, where coverage and versatility are crucial. Not only do BLE tags track location, but they can also monitor additional parameters such as temperature, movement, and asset condition, providing a comprehensive view of business operations.

In summary, BLE technology applied to Returnable Assets not only improves the management of business resources but also offers a tangible return on investment in the medium to long term, thanks to increased operational efficiency and waste reduction.

Conclusions

Returnable Assets represent a strategic resource for companies. Thanks to BlueUp BLE-based solutions, it is possible to implement active, precise, and automated asset tracking, transforming resource management into a competitive advantage.
The combination of Returnable Assets and BLE technology is not only a technological choice but a winning strategy to improve operational efficiency, reduce waste, and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Discover BlueUp RTLS solutions for Returnable Asset Tracking

RTLS solutions for Asset Tracking offered by BlueUp are all based on Bluetooth® LE standards or compatible wireless protocols.
BlueUp offers three different RTLS solutions that differ in performance, costs and installation complexity.

MeshCube is a unique solution on the market, with a completely cable-free infrastructure and based on a 2.4GHz Wirepas Mesh technology communication network. With this technology, all design, installation and wiring costs are reduced to almost zero, making it extremely economical and suitable for automatic inventory applications, asset localization in the industrial and logistics sector, and distributed monitoring via sensors.

LocateBLE enables the localization of assets and people in real time through algorithms based on RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) and trilateration. The premium feature of LocateBLE is its independence from hardware: the platform, in fact, is designed to be compatible with multiple types of Bluetooth® LE antennas on the market: Bluetooth® LE beacon gateway, WiFi access points with Bluetooth® LE interface, Zigbee or mesh modules with Bluetooth® LE support. This flexibility makes LocateBLE suitable for a wide range of applications for Real-Time Asset Tracking.

Finally, when localization accuracy is the key requirement, AccuRTLS is the ideal solution. AccuRTLS provides state-of-the-art performance, with real-time tracking and accuracy up to a few tens of centimeters in a real operating environment, thanks to the RTLS Bluetooth® LE Angle of Arrival technology, developed by Quuppa, of which BlueUp has been a partner since 2017. For this technology, BlueUp develops and produces Quuppa Approved tags, certified directly by Quuppa to be fully compatible at a functional, performance and mechanical level with Quuppa technology.

 

Want to find out if BlueUp solutions can help you in your reality? Contact us to learn more!