Don’t Lose Sight of Your Valuables: New Insights into the Track and Trace Technologies You Should Be Following
“On demand.” It’s a term widely used to describe the state of life today. We watch on-demand television, use on-demand transportation services, book our travel with on-demand lodging providers and even schedule doctors’ consults on-demand. We – as businesses – increasingly provide our goods and services on demand because we – as consumers – expect to have access to anything and everything we want precisely when we want it. Including data!
The commoditization of the internet and the recent proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) has simultaneously turned simple gadgets and appliances into powerful information sources and generators. Gartner predicts that 14.2 billion connected things will be online this year, and that the total number of devices in use will reach 25 billion by 2021. Most of us probably have a collection of digital devices in differing shapes, sizes and voices on standby (thanks to the aid of Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa and Samsung’s Bixby among others) within an arms-length away at all times to fulfill our every whimsical inquiry, to help us from getting “lost” and to keep us connected to the things we’re interested in.
Why “On Demand” Location Data is in High Demand by Global Industries
If we look anecdotally at the data that we, as a society, demand from our mobile and IoT devices on any given day, it would be fair to say that we are typically trying to locate something. From tangible insights such as the news, quick fix solutions or bank account balances to the physical location of our dogs, kids, doctors’ offices and keys, it is easy to find what we need or want in the very moment we want or need it.
This same notion is becoming true in business.
There are several data-driven technology platforms that enable organizations to better manage and optimize critical assets and create more efficient workflows. And at this moment, location solutions are garnering significant attention and investment. According to the assumption that Gartner used when developing its 2019 Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services, Global: “By 2021, over 65% of enterprises tracking hardware assets will utilize more than three technologies (up from less than 5%).” *
Manufacturers, warehouse and distribution center operators, transporters and even retailers – those with precious cargo to protect – undoubtedly understand the value of asset track and trace technologies. As do those in healthcare and agriculture. For example, some dairy farming businesses are using sensors hung around the necks of livestock to capture data on each animal’s movement patterns, eating behavior and overall health. These are insights that help farmers optimize milk production.
But the utilization of game-changing location technologies is still in its infancy if you consider their potential range of applications across business and markets globally.
Searching for Proof of Solution Potential and Performance Beyond the Rankings
Though reports such as the Gartner Magic Quadrant are valuable tools to leverage when evaluating your technology options, there are several questions you should ask about a solution provider’s engineering model, technology roadmap and long-term services and support offerings and other criteria to consider before making a final decision. This comprehensive online guide is a great resource for both.
Just remember: The type of data you will need “on demand” will evolve and grow as your inventory and asset portfolio grows, which means you will need long-term help refining and scaling your location services platform. Plus, location services implementations can become complex given the size and reach of many manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, transportation, retail, healthcare and agriculture operations.
It will be just as important to pick the right solution provider as will be to pick the right solution, especially if you want to avoid wasteful rip-and-replace deployment rounds. Use the right resources to satisfy your need to confidently find the right partner and platform the first time on demand.
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*Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Indoor Location Services, Global, Tim Zimmerman, Annette Zimmermann, 28 January 2019
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.
Dave Phillips
For the last 18 years, Dave Phillips has been crafting automation and performance improvement solutions that solve complex problems for customers. He has deep domain expertise within a diverse portfolio of markets, including Automotive, Aerospace, Logistics, Health Care and Government.
Currently, he is responsible for driving new opportunities for the award-winning Zebra MotionWorks Platform in the Healthcare and Government sectors specifically.
Prior to Zebra, Mr. Phillips worked with Ford Motor Company in numerous material planning and logistics functions and with Ogden Aviation Services, where he managed ground handling operations for several airlines.
He holds a bachelor of science (BS) degree in Aviation Technology and Operations from Western Michigan University.
