Total Asset Visibility and Protection for Powered and Non-Powered Assets

Introduction

In industries ranging from transportation & logistics to healthcare, effective asset management is a key enabler of profitability and operational control. While high-value assets like trucks, trailers, and heavy machinery have long been the focus of GPS tracking efforts, recent technological advancements and more affordable device options have expanded the scope of asset monitoring to include a wide array of non-powered assets.

Traditionally, non-powered assets posed tracking challenges due to their lack of onboard power sources. However, technological advancements, such as longer battery life and improved power management, now enable organizations to monitor any asset, powered or not.

The current generation of telematics solutions has ushered in a new era of comprehensive asset tracking. From storage containers to wheelchairs and trolleys in medical facilities, organizations can now gain real-time visibility into the location, usage, and condition of assets that were previously “off the grid.” This expanded visibility has made it possible to seamlessly monitor an organization’s entire asset portfolio, providing it with better operational insights, security, asset utilization, and maintenance practices.

Powered and Non-Powered Assets

Powered Assets

Powered assets are any vehicles, machines, or equipment that rely on an internal power source, such as fuel or electricity, to function. Examples include:

• Vehicles: Trucks, vans, buses, etc.
• Heavy machinery: bulldozers, excavators, cranes, etc.
• Medical equipment: monitors, scanners, IV pumps, syringe pumps, etc. used within healthcare facilities or for in-home care
• Utility equipment: Generators, compressors, etc.

Because these assets have an internal power source, they can be more easily outfitted with GPS trackers that continuously transmit data on their location, performance, and condition.

Non-Powered Assets

Non-powered assets are any trailers, machines, or equipment without access to power. Examples include:

• Trailers: dry van, step deck, flatbed, utility, etc.
• Railcars
• Shipping containers
• Portable storage units
• Medical equipment: beds, stretchers, wheelchairs, trolleys, etc. used within healthcare facilities or for in-home care

Non-powered assets are frequently moved between sites, making manual tracking inefficient. Since they don’t have their own power supply, tracking them presents unique challenges—such as ensuring that GPS tracking devices are durable, have a long battery life, and remain operational in harsh conditions.

Challenges in Tracking Both Types of Assets

For powered assets, the challenge lies in collecting and interpreting the vast amounts of data they generate, such as engine diagnostics, fuel usage, and location. Organizations need sophisticated analytics and reporting offered by telematics solutions to analyze this information and turn it into actionable insights.

Tracking non-powered assets is more complex due to their lack of internal power and frequent use in remote locations which may have limited cellular coverage. Ensuring continuous tracking requires specialized GPS devices with long battery lives or alternative power sources like solar energy.

Asset Monitoring Benefits

Overall

Improved Decision-Making and Asset Allocation

Asset Management functionality within telematics solutions help organizations make better decisions about asset allocation. For example, knowing the exact location and condition of both powered and non-powered assets enables managers to deploy them more efficiently. This reduces idle time and ensures that critical equipment is always available when needed.

Simplifying Reporting and Compliance

Many industries, particularly those involved in transportation and logistics, must comply with strict regulations. Telematics solutions can automatically generate reports on vehicle usage, maintenance, and compliance, making it easier for organizations to meet regulatory requirements.

Powered Assets

Continuous Monitoring

Telematics solutions provide organizations with continuous or periodic tracking and monitoring data, which is crucial for managing extensive asset portfolios, offering unprecedented transparency and ensuring optimal asset deployment. This data enables swift decision-making, allowing managers to optimize travel paths to ensure on-time deliveries and service appointments. Moreover, telematics solutions extend beyond just vehicles and trailers – they can now effectively monitor all asset types, significantly reducing loss and theft while improving overall operational efficiency.

Engine Diagnostics and Usage Monitoring

Telematics solutions, integrated with CAN Bus or OBD-II interfaces, provide real-time insights into engine performance, fuel efficiency, and vehicle diagnostics. This data enables predictive maintenance, minimizing downtime and extending asset lifespan.

Preventative Maintenance Alerts

Powered assets often require regular maintenance to function efficiently. These systems can be configured to send automatic alerts based on the hours of operation or miles traveled, ensuring that vehicles and machinery receive preventative maintenance on time. This reduces the risk of unexpected breakdowns, which can disrupt workflows and lead to lost revenue.

Reducing Operational Costs Through Route Optimization

By analyzing the data collected through GPS tracking, organizations can identify more efficient routes for vehicles and equipment. Route optimization reduces fuel consumption, cuts down on wear and tear, and minimizes operational costs.

Examples

• Fleet management: Businesses with large vehicle fleets, such as delivery services or logistics companies, benefit from improved efficiency and reduced fuel costs.
• Construction equipment: GPS trackers help monitor the location and condition of expensive machinery on job sites, reducing theft and misuse.
• Equipment rental services: Companies that rent out powered equipment can track the usage patterns and maintenance needs of their assets, ensuring that they are returned to proper condition and ready for the next customer.

Non-Powered Assets

Long Battery Life

Non-powered assets may remain in one location for extended periods, so it’s critical that GPS trackers designed for these assets come with long battery lives.  Advancements in battery-powered devices, including using algorithms for advanced power management, result in devices that can monitor assets for multiple years.

Anti-Theft and Security Features

Non-powered assets are particularly vulnerable to theft, especially when left unattended at job sites or depots. Telematics solutions are equipped with features like geofencing, which triggers an alert if the asset is moved outside a pre-defined area, and tamper alerts, which notify key personnel if someone attempts to remove or disable the device.

Inventory Management and Asset Utilization Tracking

Tracking non-powered assets can provide valuable insights into how often and where they are being used. This data can be leveraged to optimize asset utilization, ensuring that expensive equipment is not sitting idle. For instance, an equipment rental company can track hours of use for each rental trailer, allowing them to allocate resources more effectively.

Reducing Losses and Improving Operational Efficiency

By ensuring that non-powered assets are being always tracked, organizations can reduce losses due to theft, misplacement, or inefficient use. Continuous monitoring also helps ensure that equipment is used effectively, which ultimately improves operational efficiency.

Examples

• Trailer tracking: GPS devices can help companies monitor trailers to improve asset utilization and to quickly recover merchandise in the case of a stolen trailer
• Container tracking: Companies that ship goods can track their containers across various points in the supply chain, ensuring timely delivery.
• Key fob tracking: Auto dealerships that want to track key fobs to prevent theft or to minimize time spent by staff finding lost or misplaced key fobs.

Choosing the Right Asset Monitoring Devices

Selecting appropriate devices to monitor assets is crucial. Key capabilities to consider include:

• Real-time tracking: Provide real-time location data for powered assets, allowing organizations to monitor assets actively and make informed decisions.
• Extended battery life: Essential for non-powered assets to minimize device/battery maintenance and for back-up batteries for powered assets in the event of a power outage.
• Rugged construction: Devices must withstand diverse environmental conditions.
• Low-power mode: Helps conserve battery by adjusting the frequency of updates when the asset is stationary and during periods of extreme temperature or poor cellular coverage.
• Flexible device options: Choose between hard-wired, solar-powered, and battery-operated devices and Bluetooth tags, depending on the asset type and usage patterns.

Table 1

Ideal Use Cases by Device Type

Device Types	Ideal Use Cases
Hard-Wired	Powered assets which draw from the asset’s electrical system.
Solar-Powered	Outdoor non-powered assets like trailers or containers or powered assets like generators.
Battery-Powered	Non-powered assets which are frequently in service and/or operate in remote locations.
Bluetooth Tags	Non-powered assets like key fobs at an auto dealership and tools used at construction sites

Conclusion

Telematics solutions with advanced asset management offer significant benefits for organizations managing both powered and non-powered assets. These solutions help reduce theft, improve operational efficiency, and simplify maintenance and compliance processes. By integrating telematics across the entire asset portfolio, companies gain full visibility into their operations, leading to better decision-making and cost savings.

The ability to monitor all assets ensures optimized asset utilization and minimizes downtime. Ultimately, asset management software and purpose-built asset tracking devices are a key enabler for companies to maintain a competitive edge in their industry.

About Positioning Universal

Established in 2013, Positioning Universal is the leading global provider of off-the-shelf and customizable mobile IoT devices and GPS vehicle and asset monitoring solutions. Our Systems Integration (SI) services deliver turn-key solutions for smooth IoT implementations, leveraging our team’s extensive industry knowledge.

With a deep understanding of IoT technologies, we guide companies in designing and deploying IoT solutions that meet their unique needs. Our comprehensive offerings, paired with best-in-class customer support, empower companies with essential business intelligence to sustain a competitive edge in rapidly evolving markets.