Real-Time Location System Tags: Battery, Size and Placement
Real-time location system tags are the part people touch every day. Their size, battery life and placement decide how well the system works. This guide covers what to compare before you order tags.
Key takeaways
- Tags can be fixed to assets, worn by staff or fitted to vehicles.
- A faster update rate shortens battery life, so choose the rate by need.
- Placement affects signal, so test where tags sit on each asset.
- Plan for assigning, losing and replacing tags from the start.
What a tag does in a location system
A tag sends a signal that readers or anchors receive. Software uses the signals to work out the tag’s position and shows it on a map or list. The tag is linked to something meaningful, such as a trolley, a forklift or a person, so a name appears on screen instead of a number. For a technology comparison, see RTLS technologies compared.
Tag types by job: asset, staff and vehicle
Different jobs need different tags.
| Job | Tag style | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | Small, rugged, sticker or bolt-on | Surface, size, drop resistance |
| Staff | Badge or wristband | Comfort, button, cleaning |
| Vehicles | Mounted unit | Power source, vibration |
Battery life and update rate
Tags that report often drain batteries faster. Decide how fresh the position must be: a few seconds for safety alerts, or minutes for asset searches. Ask suppliers how battery life is estimated, and plan for replacement or charging. Do not rely on a single figure; verify it in a pilot, as in how to test real-time location tracking in a pilot.
Where to mount or wear tags
Placement changes signal strength. Metal bodies, liquids and the human body can block or weaken signals. Choose a spot that is protected from knocks yet not buried behind metal. Test two or three positions on a sample asset before fitting hundreds.
Managing tags over time
Tags are assigned, returned, lost and replaced. Your software should link each tag to an asset or person, show low-battery alerts and let you retire a tag cleanly. Decide who handles each step, and how tags are cleaned between users.
Planning real-time location tags with Suraj Informatics
Suraj Informatics provides RFID and RTLS solutions. Contact us to compare tag options for your site.
Real-time location tag questions
How long does a location tag battery last?
It depends on the update rate and tag type. Verify the figure in a pilot on your site.
Can one system track assets and people?
Yes, using different tag styles linked to the same software.
Where should a tag be placed?
In a protected spot with a clear signal path. Test positions before a large order.
What happens when a tag is lost?
Retire it in the software and assign a new tag to the asset or person.
Talk to our RTLS team
Tell us what you want to locate, and we will suggest tags and a pilot plan.
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