Real-Time Tracking for Tools and Equipment

Tool loss is a pervasive challenge across industries like construction, manufacturing, and field services, resulting in lost productivity, increased replacement costs, and operational disruptions. Link Labs’ BLE-enabled leashing technology is revolutionizing the way organizations manage high-value tools and equipment. By ensuring tools remain “connected” to designated users, vehicles, or job site assets, Hub Mode and Custody Mode provide an innovative solution to prevent tool loss while enhancing accountability and operational efficiency.

What is BLE Leashing Technology?

Link Labs’ BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) leashing technology allows tools and other assets to remain virtually tethered to a central hub or gateway, such as the Supertag Tracker. This connection acts as a digital leash that tracks asset proximity, transmitting precise location and timestamps. When a tool disconnects or moves beyond its designated range, managers are alerted in real-time to take corrective action.

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1. Loss Prevention. Reduce the amount of loss that occurs during the supply chain process
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3. Security Alerts. Know when a delay in shipment has occurred so the problem can be addressed immediately.
    

How Does It Work?

Link Labs offers two operational modes for BLE-enabled leashing:

1. Hub Mode – Time-Based BLE Scan

   • The gateway, such as a Supertag, continuously performs time-based scans to detect and log all BLE-enabled assets within its range. This mode is ideal for environments where assets need periodic tracking, such as warehouses or stationary job sites.
   • Example: Tools in a maintenance room are scanned and logged every 5 minutes. If a tool goes missing, managers can trace its last proximity to the gateway and determine when it was removed.

2. Custody Mode – Proximity-Based BLE Scan

   • This mode tracks assets within close proximity of a gateway, ensuring tools remain tethered to their designated hub. If an asset is moved or disconnected, alerts are generated in real-time.
   • Example: Tools loaded onto a work truck are leashed to a Supertag gateway installed in the vehicle. If a tool is removed from the truck without authorization, managers receive an instant notification, enabling them to take swift action.

The Supertag Tracker: A Mobile Gateway Solution

The Supertag Tracker is the core of Link Labs’ BLE leashing system. This versatile gateway acts as a mobile hub for BLE devices. Tools, equipment, and other Link Labs BLE-enabled assets within proximity automatically leash to the Supertag, transmitting their location and timestamps.

For example:

• A generator equipped with a Supertag on a utility truck acts as a mobile gateway. As the truck moves between job sites, all BLE-enabled tools in proximity—such as drills, saws, or compressors—are continuously leashed to the Supertag.
• If a tool is removed from the truck and disconnects, the system logs the time and location of the last known connection, allowing managers to quickly pinpoint where and when the asset was separated.

Real-World Applications: Preventing Tool Loss and Ensuring Accountability

Link Labs’ leashing technology delivers substantial value in industries where managing tools and equipment across dynamic environments is critical.

1. Construction Job Sites
   Large-scale construction projects often span multiple zones, and tools are frequently moved between locations. BLE leashing ensures that tools remain tethered to specific gateways, such as vehicles or mobile storage units.

   • If a tool is left behind or removed without authorization, managers receive alerts, enabling them to recover assets before they are permanently lost.

2. Utility and Field Service Trucks
   Service technicians often carry high-value tools and equipment in their vehicles. A Supertag gateway installed on a truck provides seamless leashing for tools during transit and job site deployment.

   • Example: A power utility company equipped all their trucks with Supertags. When technicians arrive at a job site, BLE tools like meters and wrenches remain connected to the truck. If a tool is accidentally left on-site, the system alerts managers with the exact time and location of disconnection.

3. Manufacturing Facilities and Warehouses
   Manufacturing operations involve tools moving between workstations. Hub Mode scans ensure tools are logged periodically, creating a clear audit trail of asset movement.

   • Managers can easily identify misplaced or missing tools and optimize workflows to improve efficiency.

Benefits of Link Labs BLE Leashing Technology

• Reduced Tool Loss: Prevent costly replacements by identifying tools that are removed or left behind.
• Improved Accountability: Maintain visibility of high-value tools and assign responsibility for their use and movement.
• Enhanced Efficiency: Minimize time spent searching for misplaced tools and streamline daily operations.
• Real-Time Alerts: Respond quickly to unauthorized tool movement with instant notifications and location logs.

Conclusion: A Smarter Way to Manage Tools

Link Labs’ BLE-enabled leashing technology provides an innovative and reliable solution for preventing tool loss. By leveraging Supertag Trackers as gateways and enabling Hub Mode and Custody Mode scans, organizations gain unparalleled visibility and control over their assets. Whether it’s a utility truck in the field or a sprawling construction site, BLE leashing ensures tools remain where they belong—connected, monitored, and accounted for.

Investing in BLE leashing technology isn’t just about preventing losses—it’s about creating smarter, more efficient operations that empower teams to focus on their work, not their tools.