Real-time visibility is becoming essential in explosive hazardous and industrial environments, but what does that actually look like in practice? In the first part of our MobileView Enterprise RTLS Visibility Software Q&A series, we speak with Fuad Nor, Senior Commissioning Engineer, about what MobileView is, who it is designed for, and how it helps organizations track people, assets and critical operational data in real time From automated mustering to asset tracking and day-to-day site visibility, this overview explains how MobileView supports safer, more efficient operations across industrial environments. Q: What is MobileView? A: MobileView is an enterprise-ready Real-Time Location System (RTLS) visibility platform that lets you track, locate, monitor and manage assets and personnel from multiple places via a simple web-browser on desktop, tablet or smartphone. MobileView supports High Availability, providing full redundancy so that […]
How can BLE beacons improve worker safety and asset visibility in hazardous areas? XB Beacons can improve worker and asset visibility in hazardous areas by acting as fixed BLE reference points within a real-time location system (RTLS). Where each beacon is positioned affects how the system can show whether workers and assets are in the correct room, zone, stairwell, muster point, entrance or equipment area. When GPS (Global Positioning System) isn’t available, such as indoors or within complex industrial environments, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-based RTLS offers a reliable alternative for real-time personnel and asset tracking. This article explains how XB Beacon positioning enhances RTLS accuracy, enabling improved worker safety and asset visibility in hazardous areas. For detailed guidance on BLE beacon spacing, RSSI behaviour, trilateration principles and indoor/outdoor setup, read our practical BLE beacon […]
Does an Industrial Real Time Location System (RTLS) Need 1-Meter Accuracy and Constant Location Updates? Not usually. In most industrial environments, RTLS delivers the most value when accuracy and update rates are aligned with the use case. Different RTLS applications require varying levels of visibility, as explored below. We’ve Been Pre-Conditioned by Consumer tracking Most expectations around location tracking come from consumer technology. Smartphones, navigation apps, and fitness trackers provide location information almost instantly, often with meter-level accuracy. But Enterprise RTLS Deployments Operate in a Very Different World Industrial sites are complex environments with large areas, dense metal structures, hazardous zones, and secure network infrastructure. RTLS tracking in these facilities isn’t designed to replicate the smartphone experience. Instead, it supports operational outcomes such as: Worker safety Asset availability Operational visibility. The Use Case Determines the […]
Designing Practical RTLS for Hazardous Areas: Moving Beyond the Turnkey Myth What’s the biggest misconception about RTLS in hazardous areas? One of the biggest misconceptions is that RTLS (Real Time Location System) is a simple plug-and-play solution. Install the RTLS system, switch it on, and immediately achieve complete visibility and high location accuracy across an entire site. In hazardous industrial environments, RTLS deployments must be engineered around the realities of the site. Successful systems are not defined by a single technology or “turnkey” product, but by how well the solution is designed around three core variables: The site’s risk profile Its infrastructure constraints Its operational priorities If you’re relatively new to RTLS, you may want to start with our introduction to RTLS in hazardous areas guide to understand the fundamentals. Why Technology Alone Doesn’t Define Success RTLS discussions often focus on technology comparisons, such as Wi-Fi versus LoRaWAN, or BLE versus GNSS, as though selecting the “best” technology is the primary decision. No single wireless technology […]
What is UHF RFID? UHF RFID (Ultra-High Frequency Radio-Frequency Identification) is a wireless technology that uses radio waves to automatically identify and track tagged objects over long distances. UHF RFID Readers in Hazardous Areas: Common Questions Answered By enabling wireless connectivity, they make it easier to track equipment, support inventory management, coordinate inspections, and reduce manual work. But when deploying RFID in hazardous areas, where gases, vapors, or dust could ignite, it’s natural to have questions about what’s allowed and how to keep everyone safe. For this article, Simon Taylor, our Configured Products Manager, has collected some of the most common questions we hear from customers exploring UHF RFID readers in these types of environments. What regulations apply to installing wireless equipment in hazardous areas? On top of the usual requirements that relate to the […]
Why does the iTAG X-Range use varied tracking tag types instead of one universal device? Because industrial sites have very different: Safety risks Layouts Infrastructure constraints. One tag cannot efficiently cover them all. A Practical RTLS Design Approach for Hazardous and Industrial Areas Designing an effective Real-Time Location System (RTLS) for hazardous and industrial environments is not a single “best” technology. It is about finding the right balance between functionality, connectivity, and infrastructure demands for each use case. The monitoring of personnel movements and safety is then kept consistent within a user-friendly platform, ensuring reliable location information across the site. Our iTAG X-Range portfolio is intentionally designed as a progressive hybrid technology range for RTLS deployments in hazardous areas. It is built around different site conditions and use cases. It allows sites to choose: The […]