In past few years the Internet of Things (IoT) has become ‘Internet of everything’. The ever increasing complex challenges in day-to-day business operations and processes have created a need for a technology based approach towards everything we do, more importantly, the need to optimize business operations to enhance customer service and to drive growth and profitability.
Since its inception in 1999, IoT itself has gone through considerable amount of innovation and transformation and now it’s all around us, in the form of BLE beacons, RFID tags, Smartphones, smart kitchen appliances, smart dishwasher, smart tv, smart home and even smart city. Internet of industrial things (IoT) and internet of medical things (IoMT) are two of the most significant IoT development trends at present.
BLE: The Low powered IoT
Various low powered wireless devices have been developed that are driving IoT application to the point when almost everything around us is internet connected and capable of sharing data and communicating with other interconnected smart devices. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), amongst these low-area, short range IoTs, has emerged as the most promising one owing to ubiquitous Bluetooth enabled smartphones, tablets and laptops, all around us.
Bluetooth LE is a low power consuming Bluetooth based standard that allows data transmission in regular intervals rather than continuous data sharing, which makes for last longing battery life. Typically, Bluetooth beacons have battery capacity that last few years.
BLE in Industrial IoT Applications
With seamless integration of Bluetooth beacons into industrial settings, it could be used for various day to day operations, replacing the need for human intervention. Since Bluetooth beacons can be paired with Bluetooth capable smartphones, It can be used for keeping track of assets and consignments in a warehouse, as well as broadcasting valuable information like a radio, to any smartphone in its vicinity.
Let’s see some of the key advantages of BLE in industrial IoT (IIoT) Applications:
Industrial Automation with BLE
BLE, being a wireless technology, when integrated into an industrial setting, can automate simple, time consuming tasks with ease. Suppose you work in a supply chain industry and need an employee to find a certain asset or stacked pallet in a large warehouse, it can take hours for him to come back with the result. With use of BLE, separate zones can be created and movement of the asset can be recorded, which can be accessed in seconds.
Apart from that, BLE can also be used to track inbound and outbound consignments as well which as accounts for greater accuracy.
Asset Identification with BLE
Asset identification and tracking can also be done using Bluetooth low energy.
Asset and pallets and supply boxes can be tagged with Bluetooth beacons that broadcast useful identifying information and can be identified and tracked with Bluetooth capable smartphones throughout the inventory.
Operating a machinery with BLE
In manufacturing, BLE beacons can be used to broadcast information on machine-operability as well as to provide guidance to new employees.
This will not only ensure safety of the employees from untoward incidents but enhance the productivity as well.
Enhanced Inventory Visibility with BLE
Supply Chain and retail industry often suffer with stock shrinkage and ‘out of stock’ scenarios that result in huge losses.
Bluetooth low energy can help increase the asset visibility inside the store as well as in Inventory. When integrated with inventory control operations, BLE can help felicitate easy replenishment and inventory forecasting as well.
To conclude, BLE is a cost effective wireless tool that is increasingly being used in industries to automate day-to-day business operations. Various Industries like manufacturing, Supply Chain, construction and retail can greatly benefit from this low power consuming, short range wireless technology.
Disclaimer: The information presented here is for general information purposes only and true to best of our understanding. Users are requested to use any information as per their own understanding and knowledge. Before using any of the information, please refer to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
