Getting Started with Asset Tracking: The Easy Way with Mesh Technology

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Getting started with asset tracking can seem overwhelming for many businesses, even though forward-thinking companies recognize the immense value it brings for automation, operational efficiency, and decision-making. From perceived complexity in setup to concerns about costs, companies often hesitate to take that first step. The challenge lies in navigating the technical requirements, infrastructure demands, and ensuring a solution that scales with growth.

However, with the right approach, implementing asset tracking can be straightforward, scalable, and transformative for operations of any size. This is where our Asset Tracking Starter Kit, developed in collaboration with Bornemann, changes the game. Designed to offer a straightforward entry point into asset tracking, it takes the complexity out of the equation, providing an easy-to-install, scalable solution that grows with your business – without the need for expensive infrastructure or a complicated setup.

What Makes Our Asset Tracking Starter Kit Stand Out?

We created this kit with simplicity, scalability, and reliability in mind to make getting started with asset tracking as easy as possible. Here’s how the Asset Tracking Starter Kit stands out:

  • Easy Integration: Powered by our DeepHub® middleware, this solution enables seamless management of location data, ensuring smooth communication across systems and technologies.
  • No Complex Setup: Completely wireless, the system doesn’t require wiring or extensive infrastructure. It’s truly plug-and-play.
  • Scalability: Whether you’re starting small or planning for larger-scale operations, the Asset Tracking Starter Kit grows with you. Add more assets, locations, or technologies as your needs evolve.
  • Comprehensive Support: We provide onboarding sessions to ensure you’re set up for success from day one, offering guidance every step of the way.
Box of the Starter Kit that helps customers getting started with asset tracking

The Technology Behind It: Unlocking the Power of Mesh 

At the core of this revolutionary Asset Tracking Starter Kit is Bluetooth Mesh technology by Wirepas, a network topology where each node works together to relay data, increasing both network resilience and coverage. This decentralized approach ensures robust, scalable, and reliable solutions for businesses getting started with asset tracking in large environments, such as warehouses or industrial sites.

Here’s how Bluetooth Mesh technology makes a difference:

  • Extended Coverage: Each node in a Bluetooth Mesh network acts as a repeater, relaying data across long distances, making it ideal for expansive environments without the need for complex wiring.
  • Scalability: Adding new nodes is simple, with no significant infrastructure changes required. As your operations grow, the Asset Tracking Starter Kit grows with you, making it a flexible solution for evolving business needs.
  • Resilience and Reliability: Bluetooth Mesh networks are inherently resilient. If one node fails, the data is automatically rerouted through other nodes, ensuring uninterrupted tracking and communication.

As with any technology, Bluetooth Mesh has its pros and cons, but it offers an excellent option for many key use cases in asset tracking. Its flexibility, scalability, and reliability make it a powerful solution for businesses looking to improve their operational visibility.

How Bluetooth Mesh simplifies getting started with asset tracking

Bornemann’s Mesh Technology: A Closer Look

Bornemann’s innovative use of Wirepas mesh technology forms the backbone of our Asset Tracking Starter Kit. This approach ensures that the hardware delivers reliable, long-lasting performance, making it easy to track assets with precision and scale, regardless of the size of your operation.

Here’s what makes Bornemann’s hardware stand out:

  • Accuracy of ≥1 meter: Ensuring precise asset location tracking, even in complex and challenging environments.
  • Support for up to 1 million tags: Scalability is a key feature, with the ability to track vast numbers of tags, ensuring the system grows with your business.

Key Components:

  • Cavea Mesh Anchors: These form the backbone of the network, reliably transmitting precise asset locations.
  • Cavea Wirepas Gateway: Ensures seamless connectivity between the mesh network and your data systems, keeping everything in sync and operational.

Overcoming Challenges of Mesh in Industrial Settings

While mesh technology offers many advantages, there are some challenges that come with its use, particularly in industrial environments:

  • Battery Replacement: While mesh nodes are wireless and many are battery-powered, replacing batteries across a large facility can become a hassle. Our system is designed with long-lasting power solutions to minimize the frequency of replacements.
  • Frequency and Accuracy Trade-Offs: Mesh networks are often power-optimized, which means that in some cases, accuracy or update frequency may be slightly reduced. However, with Bornemann’s Wirepas technology, you get a highly optimized balance between power use and tracking precision.
  • Interference: In environments packed with wireless devices, interference can occur. Our solution is engineered to reduce the effects of interference, ensuring reliable performance even in busy settings.

How DeepHub® Enhances the Mesh Experience

While mesh is a critical part of the solution, the real strength lies in DeepHub, our omlox-compliant middleware. DeepHub seamlessly manages location data from various technologies – whether it’s BLE, GPS, RFID, LiDAR, or UWB – ensuring smooth, real-time data flow across systems.

In addition, DeepHub enhances automation with geofencing, triggering actions like inventory updates or alerts when assets move in or out of predefined zones. Its rule engine allows businesses to automate processes, such as rerouting assets or activating safety protocols, based on real-time location events.

By intelligently processing location data, DeepHub® delivers enhanced visibility and control, optimizing asset management and operational efficiency.

The Future of Asset Tracking is Now

Getting started with asset tracking has never been easier. The Asset Tracking Starter Kit offers an accessible entry point, combining ease of installation, scalability, and seamless integration. Designed to grow with your business, it provides a reliable and long-term solution to enhance operational visibility.

With comprehensive support and the powerful combination of Bluetooth Mesh technology and DeepHub® middleware, this kit is a flexible option for businesses looking to overcome the common challenges of asset tracking without significant complexity or cost.

To learn more about how this solution can fit your specific needs, visit our microsite and discover how you can get started with asset tracking today.