Ever wondered what the difference is between each tracker type? What do they cost? And whether they’d be a good fit for you?
Learn all about trackers from our industry experts & get yourself up to speed!
In this article...
Bluetooth Beacons
Bluetooth beacons come with a battery-powered sensor that can be attached to an asset.
Using radio technology they broadcast to a nearby Bluetooth-compatible device like your phone, communicating the identity of an asset, as well as the distance that the beacon currently sits from your phone.
You may also receive information about the temperature and acceleration of the beacon, allowing you to know whether the asset’s location is indoors or out and whether it’s on the move or stationary.
Costing approximately $25 each, beacons don’t come cheap. But their automatic discovery feature eliminates the need for scanning. And that time-saving cost makes it a winner!
QR Codes
With QR code tracking, a QR code is placed on a label, which is typically an inch or more square.
Since QR code scanning requires no specialized equipment, a team member can simply scan the QR code using their phone.
When the label is scanned, an update is made showing the location of the scan. Team members can also send messages and make additional asset updates, too.
QR code labels come in a range of materials (from poly to premium poly to aluminum.)
They can be affixed to assets as diverse as Chromebooks to industrial HVAC. Starting at just 25 cents a label, that adds up to a seriously smart solution that’s user-friendly & affordable, too.
Telematics
The Telematics tracker garnishes attention for offering customers tracking in real time.
That means the tracker updates the location of an asset minute-by-minute so that you know exactly where your asset is at any one time with no scanning required!
In addition, they can capture information like speed, acceleration, start & stop, and more, making them a powerful tool for tracking vehicles and trailers.
Telematics trackers can also alert you if your asset moves outside a specific geographical area.
For example, a trailer leaving a work site in the middle of the night could be a sign of theft.
The downside?
Telematics trackers are larger. They are about the size of a mobile phone.
They require a battery to run and users must recharge or replace the batteries periodically.
And Telematics trackers don’t come cheap, costing approximately $175 per year for each individual tracker.
But if you do need a means to keep an eye on an asset 24/7, Telematics is definitely the way to go. Check out GoCodes Telematics trackers here.
RFID
RFID trackers – standing for Radio Frequency Identification – most often come in label form.
A flat wire that acts as a radio antenna and a chip is embedded into the label. Labels are then scanned using an RFID scanner gun.
The bad news?
Each RFID scanner gun can cost $2000 or more.
The good news?
Multiple scans can be made simultaneously from up to 25 feet away and assets can be scanned even when they’re hidden in a box, for example.
For a team working in a warehouse setting, this tracker could offer an easy win.
