BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) has ventured into both consumer and business sectors with innovative and highly beneficial use cases. Mobile technology in the form of smartphones and tablets can now be used with BLE beacons/devices to capture information about any asset. Similar to barcodes, QR codes and RFID tags, BLE uses technology to identify beacons – but at a higher level. Instead of acting as passive devices that would normally require a user to be very close to the item to connect, BLE has a much larger range. By utilising a low energy beacon transmitting to nearby devices, the range can be extended to hundreds of feet. Commonly available for use with iOS and Android devices, BLE technology can truly transform the way assets are inspected and managed.  Instead of having to effectively tap the RFID with a phone or scan a QR code at a close distance, the inspector/operator can be at a further distance.

Whilst this may seem like a trivial difference, there are profound changes to how  inspection and maintenance can be carried out when there are numerous devices out of normal reach. If we consider anything that could be visually inspected from over an arm’s length away, BLE energy would allow data and information capture where normal RFID or barcodes may not be as quick/work at all.

BLE tags are often designed to withstand rugged environments, with a small size, low weight, and long battery life. This means that any digital inspection can rely on these tags to be functioning no matter the physical environment or facility they may be being used in. If a BLE tag is attached to a specific asset, equipment, or power tool, several data points could be captured simply by being in range and having the checklist ready. Information such as the location, condition, status, inspection history etc., can all be recorded using the connection of a BLE tag and a mobile device. If an inspector has several assets to inspect that are the same, the official could for example generate a list of all the tags within the vicinity and compare the status or inspection history of each one. Without having to go searching for the barcode or RFID location on each asset, it becomes much quicker and easier to carry out any form of inspection. This includes any routine daily inspection, compliance check or quality assurance audit, or just tracking the equipment.

Users of digital inspections will realise the potential that integrating BLE and asset inspection management can bring. Common paperless inspection features such as proactive notifications, as well as automatically suggested corrective actions can all be merged with the BLE technology. If an inspector or technician is in a facility and finds a deteriorated condition status on one of the assets, the inspector can record the condition while alerting the repair team as well as management staff. This means that replacement or downtime for maintenance can be scheduled as soon as possible, as well as management understanding what this means for Return on Investment (ROI) or business performance. To mitigate further deterioration in the condition, an automatically suggested corrective action can be issued to the inspection personnel on the spot. This can be configured to give the inspector a stopgap solution at the time to take the best possible action. In addition to recording issues, the inspection platform would also be able to file this report in line with the asset’s inspection history, so that when it does come out of repairs and the next inspection is due, the inspector will know the history of the asset.

Integrating BLE technology may seem like a small change and upgrade from previous data storage via RFID, barcodes, but it can help to speed up data transmission and act as the next generation of inspection technology available for organisations.