Passive and active asset tracking

When talking about asset labels, it usually doesn’t take long for someone to bring up GPS tracking. It’s important to go through the differences between passive and active tracking.

GPS tracking is a good example of active tracking. It means that the tags are equipped with a power source. Often they require some type of data-transferring service and wellfunctioning internal processes. Processes are needed to make the label. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) RFID tags can be scanned from a distance of up to 10 meters. A high-frequency (HF) RFID requires a distance smaller than 1 meter for scanning.

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) is a remote identifying technology that is based on the utilization of radio frequencies. Its usage in identifying and tagging assets, animals, and even people has significantly expanded since the 1980s.

NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It is an application of RFID technology and allows scanning over very short distances.

Linear 1D barcodes are familiar barcodes with parallel vertical lines. Similarly to other tags, they often contain only a short string of characters. Matrix codes, i.e., two-dimensional 2D codes (such as QR codes) can include even more information than a linear barcode.

by Trail Systems Ltd

Examples of different labels

Trail offers designing customer’s logo on the label as part of the service

There are labels for outdoors as well, and some that endure exposure to chemicals. Labels can be also found in different shapes, sizes, colours and materials.

The most common method for mounting for tags in indoor use is sticker-like adhesive mounting. There are, however, multiple mounting options available, including screws and cable ties.

Good quality labels endure normal usage well. Sometimes protective laminates are used to improve tag durability.

Trail also allows using previously attached labels for tracking - even if those are from other service providers.