The company says this innovative smart label platform integrates BLE beacon technology and ultra-thin, flexible material that adheres easily to assets, containers or products for continuous and accurate reporting on in-transit goods to help reduce the risk of loss, theft or misplacement.

“With TrackLabel, Molex leverages decades of expertise in flexible printed-circuit solutions, wireless connectivity, sensors and thin-film batteries to help customers optimise critical logistics and operational workflows,” said Dave Atkinson, VP and GM, Industrial Solutions, Molex.

“The opportunity to provide real-time status updates on the location and condition of critical assets empowers shippers to quickly follow chain-of-custody, ensure product integrity and meet regulatory compliance requirements.”

Industry-Leading Form, Fit and Function  

Unlike traditional RFID labels, BLE label technology offers superior read range, decreased infrastructure costs and increased data transmission capabilities. Among emerging BLE label market entrants, Molex says its TrackLabel combines the thinnest form factor, measuring less than one millimetre thick, with a patent-pending activation mechanism that raises the bar on fast and easy implementation. Users simply peel and stick the flexible label on any asset, which then automatically activates the battery from sleep mode for optimal battery utilization.

The company says the active BLE technology in TrackLabel automatically integrates with existing BLE infrastructure, including gateways or smartphones, to enable reliable connectivity with a 100-metre read range for both short- and long-range asset tracking. Moreover, TrackLabel supports environmental monitoring capabilities to provide valuable data for sensitive or high-value items, providing precise control over the conditions in which assets are stored and transported.

Transforming Product Monitoring and Supply Chain Management

The ability to track temperature, humidity and exposure to ambient light can be especially beneficial for maintaining the quality and safety of perishable goods as well as cold-chain monitoring, essential for food and beverage, and pharmaceutical applications. This unobtrusive, low-profile asset tracking solution is also said to be ideally suited to boost operational efficiencies and supply chain visibility for other industries, encompassing automotive, industrial automation, healthcare, manufacturing and telecommunications.

TrackLabel uses a non-lithium-based battery that is disposable and designed for compliance with air-shipment regulations, along with internationally accepted standards for global deployment. Thin enough to pass through a standard label printer, TrackLabel also can be easily customised with graphics and logos. Backed by Molex’s global manufacturing capabilities and world-class engineering support, TrackLabel materials, size/shape and sensors can be customised to accommodate a vast range of specialized applications.