Which tracking technology do you need?
Each technology answers a different question. Here’s what each can and can’t do, so you buy the right thing.
How far each technology reaches
Typical reading or reporting distance on a log scale. Real range depends on the device, its antenna and the surroundings.
Orange bars show coverage rather than reading distance: they work anywhere their network reaches.
Side by side
| Technology | Answers | Range | Power | Monthly costs | It can’t |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GPS with mobile data | Where is it right now? | Anywhere with mobile coverage | Vehicle battery or rechargeable | Yes: SIM data and platform | Update indoors or where there is no signal |
| Satellite IoT | Where is it when there’s no mobile signal? | Anywhere with open sky | Battery, often with solar | Yes, and usually higher | Report as often, or work without a view of the sky |
| Bluetooth Low Energy | Is it near me? | Usually within tens of metres | Coin cell or rechargeable | Usually none | Give live location like GPS. It only knows where a phone last detected it. |
| UHF RFID | Did it pass this door, gate or crush? | Up to several metres, depending on reader and tag | Tags need no battery; readers need power | Support only | Show where an item is between readers |
| NFC | Is it genuine, and whose is it? | A few centimetres | None | None | Track anything. Someone has to hold a phone to it. |
| QR codes and unique IDs | What is this item, and who does it belong to? | Phone camera distance | None | None | Track automatically. The label must be visible and intact. |
| Wi-Fi and indoor positioning | Which room or area is it in? | Inside the covered building | Beacons on batteries; network equipment powered | Software and support | Be precise without enough beacons or access points |
| LoRaWAN | How do I cover a whole farm or site? | Kilometres in open country, less in built-up areas | Sensors often last years on a battery | The gateway’s internet link; no SIM per device | Carry video or large files |
| Smart sensors and telemetry | Is it working, full, hot or open? | Depends on the network used | Battery or mains | Connectivity and platform | Report location unless combined with GPS |
| Biometrics | Is this the right person? | At the terminal | Mains with battery backup | Support only | Be used without consent and careful data handling |
Working on top of every technology
Geofencing and alerts
Draw an area on the map and get an alert when a tracked item leaves or arrives. Only as current as the device’s last report.
Cloud dashboards and reports
History, trends and reports from every device in one place, on a phone or computer.
AI-assisted detection
Selected cameras and platforms flag people, vehicles or unusual movement automatically. We recommend it where it cuts false alarms, with a person reviewing alerts.
Drone-assisted monitoring
Planned. Aerial checks of large sites need a Civil Aviation Authority operator certificate, authorisation and the owner’s consent.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free site survey. We visit, assess honestly and propose only what the job needs.