RTLS Tracking Employees? Is that feasible? Litum’s active RTLS personnel tracking system enables this for indoor applications, and we streamline its integration for your organization.
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RTLS Tracks Employees Like an Indoor GPS System
The Litum Real-Time Employee Tracking System uses active UWB Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology to track ID badges distributed to personnel. These badges are rechargeable and may be equipped with extras, such as panic buttons and motion sensors. Our technicians install receivers/RTLS anchors throughout your work area that will track the movement of these badges. These receivers are usually placed in strategic spots around your business, such as:
- Entryways and Exits
- Workstations
- High-Risk Work Areas
- Hallways
- Breakrooms
- Outside Areas and Parking Lots
RFID Employee Tracking System creates an invisible indoor GPS system that can track a person’s location to within less than a meter of area. These receivers are set up to transmit the information they collect to our RTLS software. This intuitive software interprets the data, displays it in an easy-to-understand visual medium, and saves it for future analysis. Our employee tracking software is web-based and can be accessed from any computer or device to monitor employee movements in real-time.
How is the Data Displayed?
Litum’s RFID Personnel Tracking Systems and Employee Tracking Software display each badge location as an overlay on a map of your business. Every badge is represented as a moving dot with some basic information above it, such as the employee’s name, ID number. This allows users to see at a glance where personnel is located and which direction they are moving towards.
Easy To Configure Personnel Tracking Software
The Litum RTLS software is very user-friendly, allowing companies total control and visibility of the entire tracking system. It is possible to:
- Set Up Automated Alerts
- Create Geofences
- Add/Edit Badge Information
- Define Value Added and Non-Value Added Activities
- Track Employee Hours
- Supplement Access Control Systems
- Create Reports
We can tie the RTLS system in with your existing personnel attendance and security systems for further automation and simplification of these vital services. Our active employee badges can act as a substitute for traditional ID cards. Your employees will never have to present a card at a gate, turnstile, or door lock again. We’re able to embed RFID inlays into badges that will ping receivers at these locations as employees pass by them, acting as verification for your existing access control systems.
What is the difference between Passive RFID & Active RFID Location Technology?
RFID is the process of using radio frequencies to capture information stored on a tag. Some tags are passive and others are active. Passive RFID tags don’t have an internal power source, such as a battery to power their transmissions. They receive RF energy from the radio frequency sent out by a module. These have been useful for traditional Access Control systems where the employee places the badge near a receiver for identification.
Active RFID tags contain a battery and continuously transmit information with radio frequency. These tags are more ideal for tracking personnel and assets as the active RFID tag can send out a stronger signal without being interrupted by metal surfaces or the human body. Active badges can also initiate communication with a receiver, such as an employee pushing the panic button on their badge to send out an SOS.
The signals sent out by RFID tags contain information that is associated with a person or visitor in the system. Our receiver modules can be adjusted to pick up all tag transmissions within a specific area or just certain frequencies. These signals also transmit through walls, floors, and ceilings, so modules don’t need line-of-sight to locate personnel.
Hospitals and healthcare providers commonly use active RFID RTLS systems for several reasons. RTLS also allows health care providers to:
- Track Patient Movements
- Help Visitors and Patients Navigate the Hospital
- Allow More Privacy Than Camera Systems
- Ensure Employees Follow Protocol
What is BLE 5.0 Beacon Technology?
Bluetooth beacons are similar to the existing technology in your cellphone or another Bluetooth-enabled device. These beacons use short-link radio transmissions to send information without the need for a paired connection. This allows for faster transmission of information and allows companies to set up location-based triggers, such as having the badge signal to personnel when they are about to enter restricted areas. These beacons can also be read with cell phones. The most recent BLE technology is BLE 5.0 and Litum IoT readers have the capability to read them with the anchors that read UWB RFID tags.
How Active RFID Personnel Tracking Systems Replace Time Attendance Systems
A personnel tracking system provides constant monitoring of employee location. You’ll know when they walk in the door, when they get to a workstation, and when they leave for breaks or after the workday ends. All this data is automatically stored and can also be used to calculate employee hours. This allows businesses to reduce the amount of non-value-added time that might appear on a traditional timecard, thus helping cut unnecessary payroll costs.
For Improved Security and Safety
If any problems occur on the job, employers can use our RFID Employee Tracking System to go back to a specific point in time and trace the movements of all personnel. This includes retracing the steps of a vehicle operator or employee assigned to the workstation where things go wrong. Improved visibility and traceability like this are ideal for those in the manufacturing industry where having in-depth knowledge about the entire production process is essential.
Geo-Fencing Sensitive Areas
Litum IoT technicians may further incorporate this personnel tracker into your security systems by creating geofences with the receivers. These invisible perimeters will monitor for any staff or visitors entering or exiting any set area of your facility. Our software is configurable to trigger alerts if:
- People Pass Through Without Badges
- People Enter With the Wrong Type Of Badge
- If Someone Tries To Remove Equipment Or Vehicles
Our active RFID personnel tracking system improves security and cuts costs by controlling the movement in and out of an area without having to pay for more locks or security personnel.
In Case of Emergency
Knowing exactly where each staff member is in the building at the time of an emergency can save lives. Employers, such as hospitals, factories, and mining companies, will be able to quickly identify which employees made it to designated emergency assembly points. They’ll also be able to determine who could still be inside the facility after an evacuation.
Personnel wearing badges with panic buttons will be able to send an SOS when in duress. For instance, a hospital worker can press the button to signal for assistance in dealing with a combative patient.
Badges containing motion sensors automatically send out signals that can be used to monitor the condition of lone workers in dangerous locations. If the employee passes out or stops moving, the system can send an automatic alert that requests help from designated staff in the area.
Our tracking systems also help employers ensure that operators with proper skill levels are operating high-risk machinery. Additionally, the system can be used to monitor security zones between forklifts and people, and alert them to prevent collisions.
Cutting Costs and Protecting Personnel With RTLS - Employee Tracking
Personnel tracking systems have evolved far beyond simply monitoring employee movements. Litum IoT’s RTLS software is adaptable and can easily be integrated into security and time attendance systems. Airports and seaports will be able to keep track of when and where sensitive areas are entered. Hospitals can monitor patient movements and even signal the nearest staff members for assistance. Mining companies, construction companies, and manufacturing facilities use our staff RTLS to quickly find missing employees during emergencies. This system can save large companies millions in overpaid time, business losses, theft, and accident prevention.
