Available Doesn’t Always Mean Ready to Use. 

In daily operations, it’s not just the where that matters when it comes to an asset – but also its status. A free hospital bed might be located in a patient room, but is it actually available? A pallet at the loading bay? It could be a return shipment – or waiting for dispatch. Uncertainty about an asset’s status causes delays, increases costs, and opens the door to errors and miscommunication. That’s why status information must be easy to access and update – ideally, fully automated. In our latest piece, we focus entirely on the topic of asset status.

 

Location First, Status Second

The Favendo RTLS Suite provides precise location data. Our Location Engine tracks your assets with centimetre-level accuracy. But position alone isn’t enough. That’s why our system integrates Asset Status as an additional key factor. Let’s look at how this works in practice.

Once the beacons and anchors have been installed in your facility, key assets are initially equipped with tags. These are typically larger, stationary items like machinery, vehicles or hospital beds – assets where tag removal is unlikely. These assets are assigned an initial status either automatically or manually. Over time, more items – such as staff, patients, pallets or tools – are added. These assets often require faster status changes and dynamic assignment.

1. Automated Status Assignment

The main objective of asset tracking should always be to automate processes as much as possible. Automated status changes can be triggered by geofencing, sensors, or third-party systems.

Geofencing

Geofencing tracks the position of assets and assigns status based on predefined zones. Take a forklift, for example: if it’s parked in a specific hall area and remains stationary for a set period, the system automatically marks it as “available”. Once it leaves the zone, its status changes to “in use”.

Sensor-based

Alternatively, sensor-based tracking can determine status. A tag with an integrated weight sensor, for instance, can indicate whether a medical supply box is adequately stocked. The box can be marked as “Full” or “Empty” accordingly. If the weight drops below a defined threshold, the system automatically sends a notification – via email, SMS or Teams – prompting staff to refill or reorder.

Third-party systems

External systems can also trigger a status change in the RTLS. If the RTLS is interoperable and connected to other platforms, it can receive updates automatically. For example, if a device is marked as “scheduled for maintenance” in your ERP system, this status can be forwarded to the tracking system, which then automatically updates the asset’s status to “Maintenance”.

2. Manual Control – When Necessary

In some cases, manual intervention is still necessary and useful. Here are a few examples:

• Unexpected repairs or short-term relocations due to renovations or moves. A technician might manually set an asset’s status to “out of service”, with time stamp and user credentials.
• Restricted areas may require manual access approval by security personnel.
• In sensitive environments like medical technology, protocols or documents may need manual approval before access or usage is granted.

Manual status updates serve primarily as a correction or control mechanism. In scenarios where manual control is essential, the application must be intuitive and easy to use – and quickly accessible during daily routines.

 

Favendo Tagger

The Favendo Tagger is a web application accessible from any (mobile) device. The interface is intuitive and user-friendly, requiring no training. Most users navigate the platform confidently after just a few minutes. Manual status changes take only seconds – significantly reducing workload.
Your staff benefits in two ways: Firstly, from the automation of asset status updates based on sensors and defined zones. Secondly, from the simple, reliable usability of the app when manual adjustments are required.