Asset tracking is locating and monitoring objects such as containers, insulated shippers, roll cages, pallets or equipment through a device fitted to the object itself. The device runs on its own battery and follows the object onto third-party vehicles, through warehouses and back to the sender when it returns empty.
How it works
Two families of devices are used. A standalone tracker has a satellite receiver, a low-power cellular connection (often NB-IoT) and onboard sensors, so it reports on its own wherever there is mobile coverage. A Bluetooth tag is smaller and transmits over a few metres, so it needs a receiver nearby: a vehicle tracker, a smartphone or a warehouse gateway. Besides position, the most common sensors measure temperature, shocks, tilt, container opening and entry into or exit from areas defined with geofencing.
How it differs from fleet tracking
Fleet tracking relies on the vehicle, its power supply and its continuous connection, and sees the goods only while they are on board. Asset tracking covers the legs where the vehicle is absent or belongs to someone else. In pharmaceutical distribution it matters most for containers handed to third-party carriers, where a traditional data logger is read only on return. The guide to tracking goods and containers beyond the vehicle explains when it is worth adding.
FAQ
Does asset tracking replace fleet GPS?
No. Fleet GPS remains the best source for routes, stops, fuel and driving behaviour. Asset tracking is added for objects that leave your vehicles.
How long does an asset tracker battery last?
It depends on the reporting interval: NB-IoT networks allow years of autonomy, but a device sending its position every few minutes runs down much faster than one reporting once a day.