NFC asset tracking with EXTAG starts with a tap. Each asset, piece of equipment or location carries a tag. A standard phone or tablet reads it, opens the right record and the right form, and the scan is stored against the asset’s history.
There is no extra hardware to buy. Scanning technology is already built into standard phones and tablets, so people use the devices they already carry.
NFC tags and QR labels
- NFC tags are read with a tap. EXTAG’s NFC silicone labels are UV protected, with 3M high-tack adhesive, for indoor and outdoor use on metal surfaces. Small (35 × 15 mm) and large (50 × 50 mm) formats suit different assets. See the tag range.
- QR code labels are weatherproof and suit places where a camera scan works better than a tap.
- NFC Scaffold Tags combine an inspection record and a handover certificate in one PVC tag. See scaffold inspection software.
- GPS tags are the live location option, for high-value equipment that moves.
NFC tags and QR labels identify an asset when it is scanned. They do not track location live.
Proof of presence
When someone completes an action or fills out a form on an asset, EXTAG records whether the tag was scanned as part of that process. A scan shows the person was physically at the asset when they did the work, which gives you stronger evidence for compliance and audits.
This is the key difference between NFC tags and QR codes. NFC tags are secure and can’t be easily copied. A QR code can be photographed and then scanned anywhere, away from the asset. Use NFC where you need to show the work was done at the asset, and QR labels where a camera scan is enough.
What you can track
- Status. Know what is compliant, what is due and what is overdue, with a full history behind every asset.
- Last-scanned location. Each scan can update the asset’s location from the scanning device’s GPS, and static assets can have their location set by dropping a pin on a map. Assets show as colour-coded pins in the status view you choose.
- Activity. Record inspections, checks, maintenance and issues from a scan, using smart forms configured to how your people already work.
- Reporting. Use maps, dashboards and embedded Microsoft Power BI reports built from the same data your crews capture.
Built for remote and industrial sites
Scanning and forms keep working offline and sync when the device is back in coverage. EXTAG runs on Android and iOS phones and tablets, and on laptops and desktops.
Start with one asset class
Tag one asset class, scan it, and see the results within weeks. Implement in weeks, not months, and add asset classes as you go. Every asset record can hold its own template of data, so what you capture is structured from the start. See asset tagging for how tags are chosen and applied.
How it works on site
- Tag it. Attach an NFC tag or QR label to the asset or location.
- Scan it. Scan with any phone, pick the activity and complete the smart form.
- See it. Status and history show on the map and in reports straight away, with the location updated from the scanning device's GPS or set by a pin on the map.
Frequently asked questions
- What is NFC asset tracking?
- NFC asset tracking means attaching a small NFC tag to an asset or location, then tapping a standard phone or tablet on it to identify the asset, open its record and record an activity. EXTAG uses NFC tags and QR labels, and every scan is stored against the asset's history.
- Does EXTAG use RFID?
- No. EXTAG uses NFC tags and QR labels, which standard phones and tablets read. You do not need RFID readers or any other extra hardware.
- Does NFC asset tracking work without a phone signal?
- Yes. EXTAG works offline. Scanning and forms keep working without a signal, and the data syncs when you are back in coverage. This supports remote operations and industrial areas.
- Can I track where an asset is, not just what it is?
- Partly. NFC tags and QR labels are not live location trackers; they do not report where an asset is between scans. Each time a tag is scanned, EXTAG can update the asset's location using the GPS in the scanning phone or tablet, so the map shows its last-scanned location. For static assets, you can also set the location by dropping a pin on a map. For live location of high-value equipment, use an EXTAG GPS tag.