Fujitsu’s GlobeRanger IoT Solution to Track and Manage BearCom’s Digital Radio Assets

BearCom is deploying the Fujitsu GlobeRanger iMotion IoT platform and its GR-AWARE asset tracking system to dramatically simplify the process of managing some 25,000 rental wireless devices, the most extensive portfolio in the industry. These assets, which include high performance digital radios, are used by a broad cross section of customers including public safety professionals, at large-scale, high-profile events such as the Academy Awards shows and festivals such as Coachella. By implementing the IoT solution, BearCom will significantly reduce the time required to process approximately 16,000 contracts a year and will streamline the management of 7,000 - 8,000 annual equipment transfers between its branches.

Nabil Lodey, Head of GlobeRanger, comments: “The beauty of IoT technologies is their ability to be applied to a broad range of existing processes. In this case, the asset management process doesn’t change - each step is just completed almost instantaneously and with minimal effort. The key to success is working closely with our customers’ operational teams to fully understand their processes and the business challenges they want to address, and then working together to co-create and implement solutions that deliver real and measurable results and business value.”

The inventory for equipment held by each of BearCom’s 33 US branches does not remain static – it fluctuates as equipment is moved between locations as orders are fulfilled and returned. Currently, each item must be manually scanned before transfer, which involves removing the radio batteries to access the barcode, and again on arrival. Rental orders are prepared and delivered to customers, then scanned again. Returns involve the same process in reverse. This means that for BearCom, it is a time-consuming task to simply ensure that all its equipment is exactly where it needs to be, especially when a single order can comprise up to 3,000 individual devices. By implementing Fujitsu’s GlobeRanger IoT solution, the BearCom team will not only be better able to serve customers, but will also experience fewer lost or mislaid devices.

Brent Bisnar, Executive Vice President at BearCom, says: “We’ve always done a good job of asset management, but scanning individual barcodes on more than 25,000 rental devices is a laborious task. The new GlobeRanger IoT asset tracking system means we can simply wave a reader over a box to determine what’s inside. Our customers will also benefit from faster equipment returns - which is a great competitive advantage for us. Importantly, we also expect that these efficiencies will give us more time to focus on our core business, improving our products and services and deepening our customer relationships.”

The solution will replace BearCom’s entire scanning system with the GlobeRanger IoT platform. With the new technology, BearCom rental assistants will simply use an RFID capable tablet to pull up and confirm contracts, register rental equipment, check inventory in and out, and to instantly confirm all transactions via email. This will allow BearCom to accelerate processing time by eliminating the need to manually count devices, will deliver enhanced inventory accuracy and will virtually eliminate discrepancies and disputes relating to equipment returns.

In the future, BearCom will be able to further leverage the same GlobeRanger technology to connect its assets to its individual field agents’ identity credentials to track the chain of custody of equipment, further improving the efficiency of its supply chain and inventory control.

1 GlobeRanger is Fujitsu company and leading global provider of end-to-end enterprise edge solutions including RFID, mobility, and sensor-based solutions and professional services. Its innovative Edgeware™ platform, iMotion™, provides the critical infrastructure layer for managing devices, networks, data and processes at the edge of the enterprise, enabling real-time visibility and response. iMotion serves as the foundation for GlobeRanger and its partners to rapidly develop, deploy and manage edge solutions. Founded in 1999, GlobeRanger is headquartered in Richardson, Texas. For more information, visit: www.globeranger.com

GlobeRanger’s iMotion™ Platform enables the Internet of Things (IoT) and the Industrial Internet through device and data connectivity and management for RFID, sensors and other devices and continues to prove its stability, flexibility and ease of use with over a decade of installations in commercial and Government sectors.

GR-AWARE is an IoT, RFID and sensor enabled asset management solution that provides businesses with an overview of their assets. This asset watching and reporting engine can also easily incorporate asset management information into business operations and legacy systems