Implementing a Real-Time Location System (RTLS) is a big step for any organization. It can provide a wealth of benefits and improvements to your company and processes. But how do you know you’re selecting the right system for your requirements? No matter what industry your organization falls under, here is what you should be keeping in mind during your selection process.
1. Accuracy Of Location Required
The first priority of RTLS, of course, is providing location data for your assets. Ask yourself how accurate you need the location data on your assets to be. It is imperative that you consider the importance of the data you are capturing and its use against the cost involved in obtaining it. You can read about the various options here.
2. Cost of Technology
The cost of implementing RTLS will depend on a few factors. Here’s what you need to keep in mind. Cost of Installation: Installation costs varies between technologies. The most costly is infrared, which needs support in each room that is being monitored for location. Installation cost estimates should also factor in other expenses such as whether you need to have cables for ethernet connected to your system. Recurring Cost of Tags: Tag costs are another factor that can affect your overall expenditure greatly. Technology such as passive RFID systems is very inexpensive, whereas WiFi tags can cost considerably more. Find out the cost of tags and consider the number you will need before finalizing a system.
Miscellaneous Costs: The number of access points needed can vary depending on the technology used, and you would also need to factor in labor and consultation costs for the implementation of the system you choose.
Power Consumption: The power usage of tags is something definitely worth looking into - you will have to choose based on your needs and the costs you can afford. Tags which are compatible with Bluetooth devices are relatively inexpensive to run. Infrared tags tend to use up a lot of battery life as they send out light signals which require more energy. Tags that respond to WiFi signals use up the most amount of power. Passive RFID sticker tags are some of the longest-lasting and can cost just cents per tag; unfortunately, the readers cost a lot of money.
3. Ease Of Interface Interaction
Your staff should be able to easily interact and operate these systems so the interface plays a huge role in your consideration. A long list of features may seem attractive, but it only adds value if your team will make use of them. Think about the staff who need to manage the system before you purchase. Make sure the user interface is straightforward enough for the team to handle.
RTLS is a versatile product that can bring varied benefits to your operation, from improved compliance and safety to better productivity from your employees and even lower pilferage. At Syook, we combined BLE beacons with a proprietary Indoor Positioning Engine to ensure high location accuracy and moderate costs for your organization.
For all the information you need about your RTLS needs, get in touch with us at info@syook.com.