One of my first track and trace projects was around 2000 and involved tracking and tracing artworks in the Boijmans van Beuningen museum. Now, 25 years later, with a wealth of experience in Track and Trace and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, I'd like to share some findings. Over all these years, I've seen many track and trace technologies (BLE, Wifi, UWB, Zigbee, RFID, QR, Sigfox, NB, Lorawan, GPS) come and go, and have actually applied them in pilots and projects, which I still do daily with great pleasure.
Based on the current state of technology and experiences, I am convinced that Wirepas offers the best technological foundation for IoT implementations in general and track and trace in particular in healthcare. Although Wirepas is not the holy grail, it comes closest to the optimal solution for modern healthcare facilities.
From Track & Trace to IoT
Many healthcare institutions are looking for track & trace solutions, which is understandable given the potential benefits:
Finding lost items
Optimizing maintenance processes
Tracing medical equipment for infection prevention (e.g., MRSA)
However, by focusing solely on track & trace, institutions miss opportunities for a broader IoT approach that can offer even more value. When we evaluate the various techniques for implementing track and trace in healthcare based on initial purchase, scalability, stability, continuity, installation costs, and maintenance, our preference goes to Wirepas.
In addition to track and trace, you can optimize the following functional areas in an integrated manner within the same Wirepas infrastructure:
Inventory management
Waste management
Building management
Workplace management
Asset management
Medical device management
Cleaning management
Climate management
Wirepas positioning Source: wirepas.com
Why Wirepas?
Simple installation: The infrastructure is easy to set up, even by the user themselves. Reading points can be easily mounted on suspended ceilings or walls. Since the nodes run on batteries and can charge themselves via artificial and daylight, no expensive wiring is needed. There are now tags that measure only 13x25x7mm, making them mountable on any object.
Energy-efficient: Some network components function on ambient light, significantly reducing installation and management costs.
Cost-effective: Wirepas projects often amount to 50-70% of the total costs of alternatives (TCO).
Expandable: The network is easily expandable with various sensors (open/close, air quality, workplace, fill level, etc.). Through smart sensors, the network never becomes overloaded. In the largest Wirepas network to date, 3.5 million sensors function perfectly together within the same network.
Integrated solution: One technology for multiple applications, from asset tracking to facility management and from waste management to workplace management.
Frequency usage: Works on 2.45 GHz or 5 GHz, using all available channels for better scalability.
Non-disruptive: Smart channel management prevents interference with medical equipment.
Long battery life: Tags last 3-5 years, contributing to a favorable Total Cost of Ownership.
Accuracy: 1-5 meter precision through triangulation. Only a limited number of nodes are needed to achieve this, unlike other techniques that require many reading points.
Security: The Wirepas network operates completely separately from existing hospital networks, optimally safeguarding patient data security.
Wirepas Practical Examples
Pioneers in this innovative technology include the UMCU and Nij Smellinghe hospital. Their experiences show that Wirepas is quick to deploy, cost-effective, and robust. If you want to know what Wirepas can mean for your healthcare institution, send a message to info@alltrace.nl for a no-obligation introduction.
Future-proof
With support from major players like Fujitsu(FCL) and Haltian, the continuity and further development of Wirepas is guaranteed. This makes it a safe choice for healthcare institutions looking to invest in a future-proof IoT infrastructure.
Wirepas not only provides a solution for today's track & trace needs but also lays the foundation for the smart healthcare facilities of tomorrow. By looking beyond just asset tracking, healthcare institutions can use Wirepas to create an integrated IoT ecosystem that elevates efficiency, patient care, and operational excellence to a higher level.
About Alltrace
Alltrace is an advanced system that combines IoT with task management for healthcare, agriculture, horticulture, and industry. The system bridges the gap between digital and physical worlds by linking real-time sensor data to operational control. An IoT sensor network measures various parameters such as location, temperature, pressure, humidity, and energy consumption. Through dashboards, companies can monitor KPIs, track progress, and proactively detect problems. The Alltrace activities module ensures effective planning and allocation of personnel based on real-time needs. The platform facilitates communication and collaboration between employees, supervisors, and managers. Safety is paramount through real-time monitoring of environmental conditions and alerts when limits are exceeded. The system uses advanced analytics and machine learning to identify patterns and create predictive models. Alltrace combines technology with a human-centered approach to improve operational efficiency. The goal is to optimize various processes through data-driven insights.