The Benefits and Drawbacks of BLE Tags for Asset Tracking

Asset tracking is evolving rapidly, with organizations now turning to smarter, wireless technologies for better control, accuracy, and efficiency. Among these technologies, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) tags are gaining popularity as a cost-effective and scalable option. BLE tags enable businesses to monitor the location and status of assets in real time with minimal power consumption. 

At Asset Infinity, our asset tracking platform integrates modern solutions like BLE asset tracking to help organizations manage equipment, tools, IT assets, and more. While BLE offers several advantages, it also has a few limitations depending on how and where it's implemented. In this blog, we’ll walk you through how BLE works, its pros and cons, and how it compares with other asset tracking technologies such as RFID.  

What Are BLE Tags and How Do They Work? 

BLE stands for Bluetooth Low Energy—a wireless communication standard designed to consume significantly less energy than traditional Bluetooth. A BLE tag is a compact, battery-powered device that continuously transmits a signal at fixed intervals. These signals are picked up by nearby BLE-compatible devices or gateways that relay the information to a cloud-based platform, such as the one offered by Asset Infinity. 

In a typical asset tracking bluetooth setup, the BLE tags are attached to assets like equipment, laptops, tools, or containers. Asset Infinity’s system collects the data transmitted by these tags and displays the real-time location and status of each asset on an intuitive dashboard. 

Unlike GPS or cellular solutions, BLE tracking is designed for indoor environments such as warehouses, offices, healthcare facilities, and factories—areas where traditional GPS may fail to provide precise location data.  

Benefits of BLE Tags for Asset Tracking 

BLE tags bring a set of advantages that make them ideal for many organizations, especially when combined with a powerful platform like Asset Infinity. 

Cost-Effective and Energy Efficient 

One of the main reasons organizations choose BLE asset tags is their low cost and long battery life. These tags can last for years on a single coin battery, reducing maintenance needs and replacement costs. 

Asset Infinity supports bulk asset onboarding and tag assignment, allowing organizations to deploy hundreds or thousands of tags quickly and efficiently. For companies aiming to track high volumes of IT assets or equipment, BLE asset tracking offers a budget-friendly alternative to other technologies. 

Real-Time Location Tracking 

With BLE location tracking, businesses can view the real-time position of assets on floor maps. This feature is particularly useful in large indoor environments such as hospitals, universities, or multi-level office buildings. 

Asset Infinity uses fixed BLE gateways or mobile devices as receivers. When a BLE tag comes within range, the gateway transmits the signal to Asset Infinity’s cloud-based platform, which then updates the asset’s location on the dashboard. This real-time visibility supports faster asset retrieval, reduced downtime, and increased productivity. 

Easy Deployment and Integration 

Unlike some asset tracking systems that require complex installation or calibration, BLE-based solutions are easy to deploy. Tags can be installed in minutes, and because BLE is a wireless technology, there’s no need to set up extensive wiring. 

Asset Infinity supports seamless integration with BLE infrastructure. The platform’s RESTful APIs and flexible configurations ensure that BLE devices, gateways, and sensors are easily onboarded. Organizations can also combine BLE with barcode, QR code, or RFID asset tracking, depending on their requirements. 

Scalability for Various Industries 

Whether you’re tracking IT equipment in an office or medical devices in a hospital, BLE technology scales easily across different use cases. Asset Infinity’s modular design allows organizations to start small and expand their asset tracking network over time. 

From schools and banks to manufacturing units and service providers, Asset Infinity enables BLE-based asset tracking that adapts to your business needs. Custom alerts, analytics, and user roles allow each department to monitor and manage their assets independently. 

Drawbacks of BLE Tags for Asset Tracking 

Despite the many advantages, BLE tags are not perfect for every situation. It’s essential to understand the limitations to determine whether BLE asset tracking is the right choice for your organization. 

Limited Range and Accuracy Issues 

While BLE tags work well in indoor spaces, their range is generally limited to 10-100 meters depending on environmental conditions. Interference from walls, doors, or other electronic devices can reduce signal strength and impact location accuracy. 

Although Asset Infinity allows zone-based BLE tracking, where assets are marked as being “in a room” or “in a zone,” it may not offer pinpoint-level accuracy like ultra-wideband systems. For applications requiring highly accurate indoor positioning—such as tracking movement within 1-2 meters—BLE may not be sufficient. 

Security and Privacy Concerns 

Any wireless system carries inherent security risks. BLE tags transmit data openly unless encryption is applied, which makes them vulnerable to spoofing or signal interception. 

Asset Infinity supports user-based access controls, role management, and audit trails to enhance the security of asset data. While BLE itself may not be the most secure protocol, pairing it with a secure cloud platform ensures that sensitive information, especially in IT asset tracking, remains protected. 

Dependence on BLE Infrastructure 

BLE asset tracking depends on the presence of gateways or mobile devices to detect signals. Without a well-planned infrastructure, tags may go undetected, or location updates may be delayed. 

Asset Infinity offers BLE infrastructure planning as part of its implementation services. By placing fixed readers in strategic areas, businesses can ensure optimal coverage. However, the need to invest in BLE-compatible devices and readers may still be a concern for smaller organizations. 

Not Ideal for Outdoor and Long-Distance Tracking 

BLE is not suited for outdoor or long-range tracking. If your assets frequently move between buildings, cities, or outdoor locations, BLE tracking may fall short. 

For these cases, Asset Infinity allows organizations to mix and match technologies. For example, BLE can be used indoors while GPS or cellular trackers are deployed for assets that travel outdoors. This hybrid model ensures continuous visibility regardless of asset movement.  

BLE Tags vs. Other Asset Tracking Technologies 

Choosing between BLE and other asset tracking technologies like RFID, GPS, or Wi-Fi depends on your use case, budget, and infrastructure. 

• BLE vs. RFID Asset Tracking: BLE offers real-time location updates, while RFID typically requires handheld scanners. BLE is better suited for passive monitoring, whereas RFID may be more cost-effective for smaller inventories. 

• BLE vs. GPS: GPS is ideal for long-distance tracking but consumes more power and requires outdoor visibility. BLE is optimized for indoor use and offers better battery life. 

• BLE vs. Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi-based tracking can use existing networks but may interfere with other operations and lacks precision. BLE tags are designed for low-power operations and can deliver more consistent results in enclosed areas. 

Asset Infinity allows users to compare these technologies and select the most appropriate tracking method. Organizations can even use BLE alongside other methods within a unified platform to ensure comprehensive asset tracking bluetooth coverage.  

Conclusion 

BLE tags have emerged as a powerful tool in the world of asset tracking. They are affordable, easy to deploy, and well-suited for indoor environments where real-time visibility is essential. When paired with Asset Infinity’s robust asset management platform, BLE tags can help organizations reduce losses, optimize asset usage, and improve operational efficiency. 

However, understanding the limitations of BLE tracking is just as important. Limited range, infrastructure requirements, and security concerns must be weighed before implementation. Fortunately, Asset Infinity supports hybrid tracking solutions and offers the flexibility to integrate BLE asset tags with RFID, GPS, and other technologies—ensuring your assets are always monitored, regardless of location.  

FAQ 

What industries benefit the most from BLE asset tracking? 

Industries such as healthcare, education, manufacturing, hospitality, and IT services benefit significantly from BLE asset tracking. These sectors often require real-time location visibility for critical equipment and tools. Asset Infinity allows these industries to scale their BLE tracking effortlessly while integrating with existing workflows. 

How can I integrate BLE tags into my asset tracking system? 

Integration is simple with Asset Infinity. BLE tags can be added to the system via web or mobile interface. You can define zones, assign tags to assets, and configure alerts. Asset Infinity also offers RESTful APIs and plug-and-play BLE gateway compatibility, making it easy to build a fully automated asset tracking bluetooth system.