John Hartley, CEO of Extronics, talks about the next generation of site wide Real Time Location Systems (RTLS) using hybrid technology for improved worker safety and asset tracking. Why is location tracking important for worker safety? The safety of workers, whilst always important, is moving higher up the list of priorities for investment. Companies operating within the process industries are always looking to ensure their workers are safe whilst making sure they are getting the biggest ROI possible. Back in 2005, when the first intrinsically safe Active RFID Wi-Fi RTLS tags were made, the goal of the oil and gas industry was to use technology to improve worker safety. This is still true today, though adoption has been slow for various reasons, such as the maturity of available technology and concerns over costs and benefits. […]

When considering a Real Time Location System (RTLS), it is important to address some of the most common business challenges. An RTLS monitors the location and status information of personnel and assets in real time, providing the latest business intelligence to inform everything from crisis decision-making to route planning and work schedules. It can often also integrate with existing solutions, such as access control and PAGA systems, as part of a site-wide IIoT connectivity program. This article aims to highlight some of the most important questions you should ask yourself when considering a RTLS for your harsh or hazardous environment. RTLS Business Challenges The business challenges associated with a RTLS can be divided into three main categories: Planning your RTLS Adoption Maintenance Planning your RTLS Choosing your technology or technologies is a big step and […]