Does the thought of lost equipment keep you up at night? Knowing where your equipment and tools are is an essential part of keeping your business running smoothly. Without information on your equipment’s whereabouts, you may end up wasting time and money on replacements. Thanks to the might of RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), businesses worldwide are supercharging their asset tracking capabilities. If you’re in the construction industry, you won’t want to miss this deep dive into how RFID equipment tracking could be the solution for you.
The Need for Efficient Tool Tracking in Construction
In the fast-paced work conditions of a construction site, you can’t afford to lose track of equipment or tools. When missing equipment can’t be found, it has catastrophic consequences that are costly in cash and time. There are many options available for asset tracking, including RFID equipment tracking. It’s time to examine the available tracking methods to see why RFID equipment tracking may be the right fit for your organization.
5 Options for Tool Tracking in Construction
- Excel File/Manual Tracking: This is one of the most common methods of tool tracking that we see from new customers. While tracking with an Excel file or pen and paper does have a low initial investment cost, the downsides of this method may cost you more in the long run. Data entry of assets into Excel or a piece of paper can take up a large chunk of your day. In addition, this method leads to assets being missed due to human error. When you don’t have an accurate inventory, this leads to expensive replacements and unnecessary stress.
- Barcodes and QR Codes: Both of these methods are simple to use and cost effective, but there are some downsides to using QR codes or barcodes. For example, when you wish to scan one of them in order to inventory it, the scanner must be directly facing it for it to work. In addition to this downside, your barcode or QR code may become damaged during use in a bustling construction zone.
- GPS Tracking: With the use of a GPS, an organization can find the exact spot an asset is located at in real time. This serves as an excellent method of keeping an eye on bigger tools/equipment. However, due to the cost of these systems, they aren’t the best option for tracking less expensive equipment and tools.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Tags: Proximity tracking is the main use of these tags. This makes them handy for finding tools that move back and forth at a construction site. They are also battery-operated. Unfortunately, these tags have a short range. In addition, BLE readers need to be set up within a network in order to function.
- RFID Technology: For most organizations, RFID is the ideal method of tracking their assets. RFID asset tracking combines ease-of-use with massive time savings, resulting in an excellent option for the majority of your construction/tool tracking needs.
6 Reasons Why Passive UHF RFID Technology is the Best for Tool Tracking
Passive UHF RFID is the chosen method of asset tracking for construction/tool tracking for several reasons:
- Long-Range Reading: When you use a BLE or barcode tag, you have to be pretty close to the tag in order to get it to function. However, a passive UHF RFID tag features a read range of up to 25 feet, which makes them very convenient. This prevents your organization’s workers from having to go through the hassle of physically sorting out pieces of inventory.
- Durability: From chemicals and abrasion to extreme weather conditions, the tags at a construction site can go through all sorts of trials. In order to find the right RFID asset tag, you’ll want to look for one that is both durable and accurate. For tough tags that see use in a variety of different fields, consider Metalcraft’s RFID tags to fulfill your asset tracking needs. When it comes to finding tags that will stand up to daily use, RFID will usually be superior to barcodes/QR codes.
- No Line-of-Sight Required: Using RFID tags allows you to do an inventory scan of assets that you can’t see. With barcode-tagged assets, you have to move or take items out of storage containers to scan them, but with RFID this isn’t the case.
- High-Speed Scanning: With RFID, your construction organization can take inventory quickly and easily. If you’re trying to get a project done quickly and efficiently, RFID is an excellent option for your construction project.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Although it may seem costly at first, the savings that you will accumulate over time make up for it. Passive UHF RFID leads to less lost equipment and less time spent by your workers looking for tools. This allows your construction crew to get more done in a smaller amount of time.
- Integration with Asset Management Systems: Using RFID technology alongside Grey Trunk RFID Asset Tracking Software leads to a powerhouse combination of an easy-to-use tag with an intuitive and inexpensive software. Through Grey Trunk RFID Asset Tracking Software, you can check assets in/out, schedule maintenance, set custom fields and track depreciation. With all of these features combined together, it’s evident that our EasyRFID Bundle is a great way for your construction company to begin working towards a more efficient future.
Conclusion for RFID Equipment Tracking
A successful construction project begins with the successful management of your company’s equipment. Thanks to its durability, high-speed scanning and ability to scan over long distances, Passive UHF RFID technology is the clear choice. If your construction company is looking to save both time and money, there’s never been a better time to invest into a Passive UHF RFID tracking system with the power of Grey Trunk RFID.
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- RFID Equipment Tracking Helps Landscape Company Manage Fixed Assets
- Benefits of Passive UHF RFID vs. Barcode
 | About the Author: Colby Weber Colby is Grey Trunk RFID’s Marketing Assistant. He enjoys being able to combine his marketing and public relations skills with his writing and graphic design abilities to assist in Grey Trunk’s marketing efforts. He has one brother, a niece, and two nephews. In his free time, Colby enjoys playing video games and trading card games. He’s also a fan of anime and creating digital artwork on his drawing tablet. |
