Trackr is flexible and supports both on-premise (stand-alone/LAN/WAN) or cloud deployments.

Absolutely.  Trackr’s server stack is based on the best, most widely adopted software development tools and technologies in the industry today, including:

Trackr is cross-platform supporting both Open Software and Microsoft technical environments, as well as support for Oracle, IBM and similar systems.

Windows10

SQL Server

Linux

Trackable supports both investment strategies.  Both local server and cloud deployments can be based on one-time ‘perpetual’ software licenses, and is the most common method of procurement by our customers.  Trackr is also available subscription-based, whereby the initial investment is lower upfront and includes periodic billing on an ongoing basis.

Yes.  Trackr is designed for flexible integration with your existing software platforms in the manner that your IT staff prefers.

File Transfer Protocol

Application Programming Interface (API)

COTS Commercial-off-the-shelf-Software

Trackr is COTS Commercial-off-the-shelf-Software.  COTS means that the software is a single code-base that is continually advanced based on Trackable’s internal development initiatives, and incorporates any enhancements programmed for new customers.  All of Trackr’s features and functions are available to each new customer out-of-the-box.  Trackr is rapidly and inexpensively configured to your exacting data, workflow, tracking and security requirements.  COTS software ensures deliverables and mimizes project/solution risks,  because the software has been successfully deployed for many prior clients.  And, because Trackr is designed for your specific processes and procedures, Trackr is easy-to-learn and easy-to-use.

Custom Developed Software

Custom developed software is rife with risks and an unknown outcome, where COTS software is already proven with a fully known outcome known from day one.  Custom software is typically priced based on ‘time and materials’, meaning that costs are open-ended and unpredictable, all too often with busted budgets.  Further, the programmers that are utilized to develop the software are typically the type of workers that go assignment to assignment and cannot be counted on for the long term to continue to support the app and customers utilizing the app, producing potential solution collapse.  

‘Canned’ Software

Canned software is software that has been developed with a rigid design and limited flexibility for modification.  Whereas COTS software is designed for your specific requirements and ‘how you want and need to do business’, canned software is often highly complex with many features and workflows that don’t even apply to your business.  COTS is designed specific to your needs, flows and processes, so is easy-to-learn and easy-to-use, with a high probability of success for your enterprise.  Canned software is difficult to learn or use, is difficult and expensive to modify with high development and consulting costs.

• Unlimited data views (templates).  

A data view is a set of data / meta-data fields and related software functions that are tailored for tracking different types of objects and people.  Examples include:

• Personnel Files

• Contracting Files

• Facility Assets

• Industrial Assets

• Utility Assets (HVAC, etc.)

• Motorized Assets

• Vehicles

• Personnel

• Visitors

• Industrial Parts (maintenance)

• Raw Materials and Supplies

• Inventory

• Industrial Tools

• Surgical Tools

• Police Evidence

• Weapons, Gear and Ammo

• Books and Judgements

• Art and Artifacts
  
  

Trackr supports unlimited data views within a single database instance.

• Unlimited data fields for each data view
  
  

• Each data field can be configured as:

• Keyboard input (text field)

• Select from List

• Popup Calendar

• Checkbox
  
  

• Unlimited Task Lists

Task lists are placeholders for objects or people that require attention and/or processing, for example:

• File Requests

• Files Ready for Pickup

• Files Ready for Archiving

• Files Ready for Archiving

• Asset Requisitions

• Asset Reservations

• Assets Ready for Pickup

• Asset Inspections Due

• Asset Calibrations Due

• Asset Maintenance Due

• Asset Return-to-Factory for Service

• Tool Reservations

• Personnel Authorizations Due

• Personnel Certifications Due

• ….Any Task or Queue that you can Imagine
  
  

• Fast and Easy Database Searches

• Search based on one or more data and/or meta-data fields

• And by date or date range

• And by Location

• And by Status

• Wildcard searches based on predefined ID (# + name + description, etc.)

• SQL queries for producing reports
  
  

• Tracking – Workflow 

• Tracking screen inputs can be made with:

• Keyboard

• Touch monitor

• Barcode scan

• RFID scan

• Enter or input Object ID’s

• Supports singular and batch processing (one or many objects)

• Destination can be scanned, input by keyboard/touch or selected-from-list

• Define Reason object is being transferred by scan, keyboard/touch or list

• Rapid, accurate Check-in and Check-out

• Optionally capture electronic signature to validate event/transaction

• Status can be scanned, input by keyboard/touch or selected-from list

• Encode RFID tags with your Unique ID #

• Associate factory, native RFID tag # with your Unique ID in Trackr database

• Optionally print report showing transaction details

• Export transactional data to a backend database/software package
  

• Audit Trail Records (chain-of-custody / transactional history)

Every usage of the software and event captured by Trackr establishes unique transactional history records that govern objects from origination through final disposition, and personnel from hiring to final disposition.  Including:

• Login

• Record view

• Record update

• Add record

• Delete/archive record

• Check-in (Return)

• Check-out (Issue)

• Transfers

• Requests

• Addition to Task Lists

• Task List processing

• Remote tracking (RFID, etc.)

• Tracking via mobile scanner inventory / audit

• Status update 

• Log-off
  
  

• Unlimited Standard and Custom Reports
  
  

Trackr includes a tag processing engine that enables easy support for any type of tracking technology, including:

        1D and 2D barcodes

 Barcodes are scanned one-at-a-time from close proximity, generally < 1’.

          UHF RFID

UHF RFID tags are generally utilized to create a globe of radio waves approximately 10’ and up to 40’ and are typically positioned at doorways, passageways and other choke points.  UHF mobiles scanners have a range of approximately 20’ depending on size of tag and environment.

How does a UHF RFID System Work?

The RFID reader emits radio waves of specific frequencies through RFID antennas. The waves “give energy” to the tags so that they can communicate by emitting a unique ID. They do not need batteries and can be used for many years. The reader processes the data so that we can integrate them into our application and give them meaning. The typical reading range is 0-12 meters. Gen2 UHF RFID systems consist of: readers, antennas, printers, and RFID tags or labels. In this article I will define with a brief explanation each of the main elements when implementing an RFID project.

RFID ANTENNAS

RFID Antennas are responsible for emitting and receiving waves that allow us to detect RFID chips. When an RFID chip crosses the antenna field, it is activated and emits a signal. The antennas create different wave fields and cover different distances.

Antenna Type: Circular polarization antennas work best in environments where the orientation of the tag varies. Linear polarization antennas are used when the orientation of the tags is known and controlled and is always the same. NF (Near Field) antennas are used to read RFID tags within a few centimeters.

Overcast angle and gain: Using antennas with gains of between 8.5-10 dbi or more, will allow us to emit more power and obtain a higher reading ratio. The angle of opening depends on the area to be covered, for example: 70 °, 100 °, etc. The more overture the antennas have, the less detection distance.

Number of Antennas: Standard high-performance readers have 2 ports, 4 ports or 8 ports. The number of antennas is usually chosen according to the reading space we want to detect or the density of tags to read. Typically used is 2 or 4 port fixed readers. Some brands have multiplexers that allow us to connect up to 32 antennas in the same reader.

 RFID READERS

There are multiple types of readers; Fixed RFID, portable rfid readers, rfid readers for Smartphone and USB readers. To read a high density of tags or requirements of 100% accuracy in detection, the best fixed RFID readers are: Impinj R420, ThingMagic M6e, Zebra FX9500. And if we need to use portable readers, we recommend the Zebra MC9190, Impinj AB700 Zebra RFD8500. To choose the right reader, we have to take into account several factors:

Reading area: Fixed readers serve mainly to cover a specific area: one point by a doorway, a machine, on a conveyor belt, in a crate, etc. Mobile readers allow us to read while we move and to perform inventories or search for RFID tags that we do not see.

Ratio of reading: the emission power and reading capacity requirements are determined by the number of tags to detect in a specific time. The most complex applications are those where there is a high density of tags, liquids or metal products. The maximum reading power is marked by the regulation allowed in each country or zone according to the type of frequency (ETSI, FCC).

The type of rfid reader: many times the question is whether to use a fixed reader or a portable reader. This factor depends on the application. For example, if we are in a store or warehouse where we need to make inventories and movements, it is convenient to use a portable terminal. If the reading area is fixed, it is convenient to install a reader that covers the area and leave the task automated. For example to detect pallets or products in shipping areas.

USB Readers: These readers give excellent results when we need to record or read very few tags at different points during the manufacturing processes or for validation of documents in offices. Two clear examples are the Nordic Stix and the ThingMagic USB Reader.

 RFID LABELS AND TAGS

The essential factors are: size, orientation, reading angle, area the are located and the type of chip.

Size: the size of the chip is a very important factor, for the simple reason that the more antenna the RFID tag, has the better the sensitivity and the detection. Whether the response of the tag is always the same or very similar every time it is detected, we are able to then develop reliable and robust applications. The antennas are usually made of aluminum or copper.

Orientation and reading angle: If we have circular antennas we do not have to worry about much about orientation. The orientation of the tag is worrisome when we try to detect them with linear antennas. In this case, we must test if the best position of the tag is vertical or horizontal, as is the case when using the ShortDipole tag. There are omni directional antennas with two dipoles, such as FROG 3D and WEB, that allow us to detect the tags regardless of their orientation. The reading range of these is usually lower by the composition of the antenna.

Integrate Circuit (IC): These are the internal chips of the RFID tag. The most common are the Impinj Monza, NXP, and Higgs. There are IC’s with more or less memory, from 96 bits to 512 bits. They have additional memories, EAS alarm system, ability to lock with passwords, etc. There are also IC’s that combine both RFID / NFC technologies on the same chip. When more memory is required we can put it in an external database and associate an ID that identifies the chip.

Location area: it is very important to take into account where the applied tag will go so that the rfid solution is successful and meets the necessary reading ranges. Keep in mind that metal bounces the RF waves and that water absorbs them. There are solutions for metal labels that allow us to place the tags on the metal and detect them correctly. The material and adhesive to be used are determined by environmental factors such as indoor or outdoor, high temperatures, as is the case in pharmaceuticals tracking or food tracking as well as other special applications.

Long Range Tracking with Active RFID, UWB, LoRa and Bluetooth/BLE

Trackable is a strategic partner and integrator of ELA Innovations and other long range tracking technology vendors, fully integrated with Trackr software.

Whereas UHF RFID is suited for short-range, small zone tracking only when tagged objects or people pass in relatively close proximity to a tag reader/interrogator, long range tracking technologies provide real-time, everywhere tracking of people and objects.

Long range tracking technologies have a range of 100’s of meters or feet and up to multiple miles, utilizing tag interroragor hardware that transmit long range signals.  Long range tags include a battery and transmit their location (beacon) on a timed interval for real-time tracking indoors and outdoors.

         GSM/GPS/5G

Whereas long range tracking technologies are generally restricted to less than 1,000 meters, GSM/GPS tags track tagged people and objects real-time wherever they are located worldwide.

5G is introducing a new concept in IoT, by being able to track objects and people by all 5G phones and devices in proximity.  As such, 5G phones and devices create an organic network worldwide.

Long range tracking technologies generally do not utilize mobile scanners, because all tagged objects and people are passively and automatically tracked wherever they located, all-the-time, real-time…precluking the need for the use of mobile scanner for ad-hoc scanning.  However with barcoding and UHF RFID, mobile scanners are a critical element of tracking and accountability solutions.  Trackr supports barcode and UHF RFID mobile scanners, including Smartphones and Tablets.

Trackr Mobile can function as a stand-alone solution that does not require integration with Trackr or any backend database system, and also can be utilized fully integrated with your existing software application(s) and/or Trackr.  Standard capabilities include:

• Find a single object

• Search for multiple objects concurrently

• Inventory objects at locations

• Audit objects at locations and adjudicate:

• Expected and found

• Expected and not found

• Unexpected and found

• Unknown tag

• Encode tags with existing Unique ID

• Associate native tag RFID #’s with your Unique ID’s

Absolutely and with full confidence. If Trackr is installed on local servers within your enterprise, the software is behind your firewalls and inherits all of the security capabilities and mechanisms that your organization already maintains or may implement in the future.

If Trackr is deployed via the cloud,  it taps into all of the vast and sophisticated security of Amazon Cloud.

Trackr was and is designed for maximum scalability.

Object and People Types

Trackr supports unlimited types of objects and people within a single database instance.  Examples include:

• Personnel files

• Contracting files

• Facility Assets

• Industrial Assets

• Utility Assets (HVAC, etc.)

• Motorized Assets

• Vehicles

• Personnel

• Visitors

• Industrial Parts (maintenance)

• Raw Materials and Supplies

• Inventory

• Industrial Tools

• Surgical Tools

• Police Evidence

• Weapons, Gear and Ammo

• Books and Judgements

• Art and Artifacts

Tracking Technologies

Trackr was and is developed with a robust tag data processing engine that is adaptable to any tracking technologies, including:

• 1D barcodes, 2D barcodes and QR codes

• NF and UHF RFID

• Bluetooth, Active RFID, LoRa RFID and UWB RFID

• GSM, GPS and 5G

Security Technologies

Trackr was and is developed with recognition that tracking technologies and security mesh together as required for customer’s tracking and security requirements.  Supported security technologies include:

• Turnstiles and Gates

• Access control systems

• Video surveillance systems

• Intrusion detection systems

Trackr is available worldwide to any country that has not been designated by the U.S. Department of State as an adversarial country. 

Trackr was designed to support any language required by Trackable customers.  Trackr provides a 2-column table with Trackable nomenclature in first column and in the second column foreign language matching nomenclature is entered.  As such, all Trackr screens, messaging and windows render in any language of choice.