Applications

What is asset tracking IoT? Definition and benefits.

1 May 2025
With billions of objects now connected to the Internet worldwide, asset tracking has become an essential asset for organizations and their processes. Going beyond mere geolocation of assets, IoT asset tracking provides valuable data for your business operations and growth. But what exactly are we talking about? How does IoT integrate with asset tracking solutions? Definition, benefits, use cases: the guide to IoT asset tracking.

What is IoT asset tracking?

Asset tracking refers to the geolocation of resources that are important to an organization. This can include people, vehicles, raw materials, equipment, or even cargo containers.

IoT asset tracking involves integrating a tracker that communicates via cellular networks into the object to be tracked. This object then becomes communicative and can send and receive data.

 

Using IoT in asset tracking: 5 benefits

For businesses, the advantages of asset tracking are numerous:

Real-time asset tracking

Organizations can monitor assets in real-time, such as their inventory items. Geolocation is possible at any hour, day or night, and remotely via asset management software. The result: precise asset tracking.

An example: to track deliveries and avoid delays, an automotive manufacturer places trackers in vehicles leaving the factory. Once they arrive at the dealership, an SMS alert is sent to owners to inform them that their car is available.

Obtaining valuable data

Beyond location tracking, IoT asset tracking collects valuable data that, once analyzed, aids in enhancing strategic decision-making and optimizing operations.

In the United States, retailer Walmart employs IoT asset tracking solutions to gather data on customer behavior, inventory levels, and product popularity. Once analyzed, this data provides valuable insights for offering tailored discounts, preventing stockouts, and maximizing revenue.

Time optimization

With IoT asset tracking, businesses can precisely determine where each key component is within the production chain (and all assets in general). Access to this real-time information results in significant time savings.

This is the case, for example, in the automotive industry: the gearbox, being an important and costly component, is equipped with a tracker to prevent any loss. Another example is fleet management for a truck park, which is facilitated as it is possible to know drivers’ locations or their arrival time at a given place.

Reduction of theft and losses

Organizations are alerted when a product exits a predefined zone. With integrated tracking, a lost or stolen item can be easily located within the system.

Supply chain monitoring

The location of assets at each stage of the supply chain is accessible. Thanks to IoT data, businesses are assured that goods reach their destination.

 

The challenges of connectivity in asset tracking

Assets tracked by businesses are typically moving objects, many of which travel internationally. This is why the choice of connectivity is crucial: it should enable tracking of the object regardless of its location and provide both national and international coverage.

Each connectivity solution has its advantages, and everything depends on the company’s needs. While some manufacturers require information regularly (24/7 and in real-time), others may only check their location data once a day. The need for coverage may also vary depending on the object’s position. If it is placed in an isolated and deep location, enhanced connectivity indoors will be essential.

 

For long-range and wide-area asset tracking, two technologies are particularly well-suited:

  • LTE-M : 

Specifically developed for the IoT sector, LTE-M is applicable in use cases where battery life is a concern. This low-power cellular network features two energy-saving modes—eDRX and PSM—designed to extend the battery life of IoT devices. Combining long-range coverage with low power consumption, LTE-M is ideally suited for autonomous trackers that are not plugged in.

  • 4G 

When battery autonomy is not a concern, 4G meets a wide range of needs. In asset tracking, it ensures 24/7 real-time tracking of assets. Designed for optimal performance, it enables data transfers at speeds up to 300 Mbps. For mobile assets internationally, 4G offers excellent connectivity both in France and abroad, provided the right provider is chosen.

 

With over 800 partner networks, Objenious is able to guarantee effective IoT connectivity for businesses with international needs. Our national 4G coverage is one of the most robust in France, covering 99% of the population. 4G, LTE-M, Nb-IoT, 5G… With our IoT SIM offerings, we provide a wide range of technologies to meet all your needs. Share your IoT project with us and benefit from the advice of our experts!