In today’s ever-evolving digital landscape, Real-time locating solutions (RTLS) emerge as a beacon of potential, truly revolutionizing real-time transparency and process automation in fields such as logistics and manufacturing. With a soaring number of companies pinning RTLS as a pivotal aspect of their digitization initiatives, it’s clear that this is not just a fleeting trend.

However, as with any novel concept, diving into the world of RTLS can seem daunting. Many companies are new to this arena, while others have had false starts or are finding it challenging to initiate or scale their projects. Given the myriad of use cases, technologies, and solution providers available, this complexity is understandable.

That’s the reason we have curated a straightforward 5-step guide to help you navigate through the RTLS maze.

Where to Get Started?

It’s essential to begin your journey with clear direction. Analyze your organization, identify potential use cases, and choose one as your starting point. Opt for a use case that is either causing the most challenges or is relatively simple to address. By tackling a less complex issue first, you prevent overburdening yourself since this is uncharted territory. You can build confidence within your team and establish a foundational success story, paving the way for future scaling.

For those in need of use-case inspiration, consider exploring the following resources:

• General use cases
• Solution examples with our partners

Find a Suitable Partner

Embarking on this journey alone can be overwhelming. Seek a solution partner who not only has expertise in RTLS but can also provide a holistic and strategic approach. The omlox and DeepHub partner ecosystems stand out in this regard, championing standardization, interoperability, and collaboration.

Why do you need a partner?

1. Expertise in RTLS: Navigating RTLS is not just about understanding the technology but also about how it integrates with your specific business needs. An experienced partner offers both the technical know-how and industry insights, ensuring your solutions are both cutting-edge and relevant.

2. Holistic and strategic implementation: It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of individual solutions. A partner ensures you see the bigger picture, implementing RTLS in a way that aligns with your broader business strategy, ensuring you avoid the trap of creating isolated solutions or silos.
   
3. Continuous support and training: As with any new tool or system, there’s a learning curve. A partner will offer training to your team, ensuring they are equipped to leverage the full potential of RTLS. Moreover, they’re there for continuous support, helping troubleshoot and refine the system as needed.

To initiate your search, explore our comprehensive list of trusted partners.

Choosing the right partner is a significant decision. If you’re feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, we’re here to help. Connect with us, and we’ll assist in matching you with a partner that aligns perfectly with your requirements and aspirations.

Proof of Concept

Before going all in, validate your selected use case with a succinct solution concept, developed in tandem with your partner. Opt for a Proof of Concept (PoC) that is lean, requiring minimal infrastructure, cabling, and integration. The less stakeholders, capacities and resources involved, the faster the implementation. And remember, IT departments are critical allies in this phase, so keep them in the loop early and introduce them to the benefits of omlox/DeepHub. It’s an unwritten law, but IT departments really do love standards.

Here are some of the most important reasons to get IT departments involved from an early stage on:

1. Integration with existing infrastructure: Your new Real-time locating solution won’t function in isolation. It needs to sync with your existing systems, databases, and software. The IT team, familiar with the current infrastructure’s intricacies, can foresee integration challenges and offer solutions.
   
2. Ensuring security and compliance: Introducing new solutions can inadvertently create vulnerabilities. Your IT department is equipped to ensure that the PoC doesn’t compromise security, safeguarding data and system integrity.
   
3. Scalability and future-proofing: As experts in system architecture, the IT department can evaluate the PoC’s scalability. They can provide insights into how easily the solution can grow, adapt, and evolve with your organization’s needs.

For a deeper understanding, check out our series of comprehensive videos on our YouTube channel.

Move to Production

Transitioning from a Proof of Concept (PoC) to a productive phase is like shifting from rehearsal to a live performance. This step is where the rubber meets the road, ensuring that your RTLS initiative isn’t just a theoretical success but delivers tangible results in real-world scenarios. The “Go Productive” phase is not merely about deployment; it’s about integration, adoption, and refinement. Let’s delve deeper into what this entails:

1. Empowering teams: The success of any new system largely hinges on its users. Conduct comprehensive training sessions to familiarize your team with the solution, ensuring they’re confident in utilizing its full potential.
   
2. Iterative refinement: Continuously monitor the solution’s performance. Are there any unexpected glitches? Is it delivering the anticipated benefits? Regular checks will help you identify areas of improvement.
   
3. Connectivity enhancement: Connect your solution, e.g. Flowcate’s DeepHub, with your main business applications. This integration ensures that location-based insights can directly influence and optimize business processes.
   
4. Strategic IT positioning: Position DeepHub centrally within your IT infrastructure. This not only aids in better data connectivity and flow but also ensures that scaling, when needed, is smoother.
   

Celebrate small wins: As your solution begins to bear fruit, celebrate those wins. Whether it’s a significant boost in efficiency, cost savings, or better real-time insights, highlighting these successes can boost team morale and secure stakeholder buy-in for future scaling or related projects.

Start Scaling

With a successful pilot under your belt, a value-driven solution in operation, and a team well-versed with RTLS potentialities, it’s time to scale. Given your DeepHub’s connectivity with key business applications and your IT department’s support, delve into the next use case and enhance your trajectory towards achieving real-time transparency.

Here are a few examples for inspiration:

1. Asset Tracking in Warehouses
   
   1. Pinpoint precision: Instead of merely knowing that an asset is ‘somewhere in the warehouse’, RTLS allows for exact location tracking. This precision dramatically reduces search times, enhancing productivity.
      
   2. Predictive maintenance: By monitoring the movement and usage patterns of machinery or equipment, you can predict when they might need maintenance, ensuring minimal downtime.
      
2. Enhanced Shop Floor Management
   
   1. Real-time workflow monitoring: Monitor the flow of materials and goods on the shop floor. RTLS can offer insights into bottlenecks or inefficiencies, leading to more streamlined operations.
      
   2. Safety compliance: Track the movement of workers and ensure they’re adhering to safety zones, especially in areas with heavy machinery or hazardous materials.

Harnessing the Future with Real-time Location Insights: A Quick Wrap-up

For many businesses today, the debate isn’t about the merits of RTLS, but rather, how to seamlessly integrate it. The recipe for success is straightforward: Start with a clear, initial use case, collaborate with the right solution partners, and ensure all internal stakeholders are aligned and engaged.

This article laid out a practical 5-step blueprint for launching an inaugural RTLS initiative. It’s paramount to underscore the significance of partnering with experts well-acquainted with the RTLS landscape and equally knowledgeable about the client’s specific industry.

Moreover, the cohesive involvement of all pivotal company stakeholders is vital. A project can face hurdles if key departments, such as IT, are not supportive or aligned. It’s essential to uphold agility, continually refine the RTLS system, and ensure unswerving transparency throughout the process.

Flowcate, with DeepHub at its core, is poised to help businesses unlock the full potential of RTLS efficiently. Reach out to us. We’ll not only match you with the ideal solution provider but also elucidate the unique benefits of our software offering in depth.

Get in touch with us!