Location Intelligence: Finding Your Way

“Give me directions. Tell me where you’re at. Draw me a map. What’s near you?”… How many times did we use to hear these phrases? With technologies available today, we can simply use cloud-based software applications that deliver us driving directions or allow us to locate lost phones with ease. We don’t even hesitate to speak a request and get instantaneous information to guide us to our desired points. 

Interestingly enough, this same level of convenience and innovation is not always present in business operations. Whether it be construction, manufacturing, hospital(s), oil, gas, mining, or energy, many industries still rely upon outdated methods for tracking the location of critical assets and personnel. Ranging from infusion pumps in hospitals, to structural beams or contract workers on construction sites, when analogue assets go missing, you’re up to your own devices to find them, and often at the loss of time and money.   

By embracing digital transformation, businesses can bridge this gap with new-age solutions and have access to critical location data in real or near-real-time. However, before implementing any new technology, it is important for businesses to pinpoint and fully understand their use case drivers and core needs by sifting through the data they are already inundated with on a daily basis. This step is critical and is often missed, leaving us blind to the true changes needed to create safer work environments or more productive work schedules.  

It is important to note that when embarking on a digital transformation journey that adopting what is currently the hottest trend in technology does not always equate to solving the problem. Rather, it is the clever integration of multiple solutions and platforms into one workable and usable solution that is often most effective. This can be achieved by applying Occam’s Razor theory, in which the entirety of the business case is assessed in order to find the simplest and most impactful solution.  

Business requirements drive use cases, which in turn drive innovative solutions and ideas. Innovative solutions then drive technology and push the boundaries of what is possible. However, businesses should not be quick to make decisions after defining their needs, but should take time to further understand their situation or position by consulting with professionals who have traveled the same road before and can provide guidance to the desired destination. Not only can these conversations lead to very successful journeys, but they can also steer you clear from long, bumpy paths and detours that are a waste of time and resources.   

Location tracking is crucial for businesses across industries for improving productivity, safety, and efficiency, and can be achieved through proper data analysis and intentional decision making.  Just like finding your way to a desired destination, a map and clear directions are essential for success.