RFID/Barcode Tracking App to Monitor High-value Assets in Real-time

Accurate monitoring of valuable assets is of utmost importance for every high-risk situation. Tracking high-value assets like heavy machinery, medical equipment, and foreign nationals is even more critical. Businesses dealing with such high-value assets require real-time tracking.

Relying on spreadsheets or legacy software for such high-value asset management is not feasible. Keeping this in mind, the client considered more innovative ways to help companies with high-value asset tracking. To this end, they approached Capital Numbers and wanted us to tailor-build their asset-tracking solution with the following elements:

• RFID data
• Barcode data
• GPS data
• Reports and analytics

They wanted to reflect the above data in the app to give users a big-picture overview of every high-value asset that goes in and out of godowns or sites. They wanted us to develop a centralized system that accurately reflects the above data and gives users a sense of their fixed and movable assets.

Our objective was to sync the above data with the asset-tracking app perfectly. So, we had to create powerful, state-of-the-art APIs for data syncing.

Additionally, we had to make the application backend robust enough to process enormous amounts of data from RFID readers, GPS trackers, and barcode scanners. We also needed to add business rules to validate all incoming data and flag errors for exceptions.

The aim was to bring forth an efficient alternative to manual tracking of assets. So, we needed to build a high-end portal and mobile version of the solution to enable users to monitor assets on the web and while on the go.

We studied the requirements carefully and initiated the work by pooling four highly skilled developers - two Node.js developers for the web and mobile app backends, one React.js expert for the web frontend, and one React Native expert for the mobile app frontend.

We began by preparing the app backend for RFID data integration. So, when an RFID reader scans an inventory tag or a foreign national at a warehouse or a passenger terminal, the information is automatically transmitted to the app in real time.

Next, we prepared the backend for barcode data integration. Here, we integrated mechanisms for handling unrecognized barcodes, as well. We ensured the mechanism automatically updates the app's barcode data, like asset counts, locations, and descriptions.

We then prepared the backend for GPS data integration. We set up geofences (virtual boundaries) to reflect the movement of assets or foreign nationals when they enter or exit a designated location.

Additionally, we embedded APIs to sync all the above third-party data with the app. It was crucial to configure the system to process large amounts of data. So, we used MongoDB to manage the enormous data flow successfully.

Next, we infused logic to validate incoming data and flag exceptions. Our experts included code to define the exception path so the system flags issues when identifying any illegal or unauthorized asset.

Additionally, we used the JavaScript library lodash to filter, sort, and manipulate data. More than mere extraction of raw data is vital for accurate analysis. So, we added reporting and analytical solutions to turn raw data into insightful information to help with decision-making.

We also broke the entire app backend into microservices to enable every module (RFID, barcode, and GPS) to have separate logic, thus distributing the load. Our frontend experts used tailwind CSS and ant design to design the app interface.

Delivering this fantastic product has been a two-year-long collaborative journey that Capital Numbers is proud to be a part of. We successfully overcame severe challenges throughout this journey to deliver a high-tech software app offering the following advantages to users: