Losing control costs money

At a typical construction site, you’ll find dozens of different machines, vehicles, containers, and tools. In the infrastructure sector, a lot of equipment is used temporarily — often across multiple locations at once. Keeping an overview is therefore essential. Yet objects often go missing. They’re unintentionally moved, forgotten, or taken along to the next site.

Many companies will recognize this situation. What starts as a few extra minutes of searching can end in replacement rental costs or missed deadlines. Meanwhile, clients increasingly expect transparency, accountability, and insight into how assets are used.

Growing pressure on the sector demands control

The infrastructure sector faces major challenges. In the coming years, the number of construction projects will continue to rise — from replacing outdated bridges and expanding the power grid to adapting for climate resilience. At the same time, execution pressure increases: more work, fewer people, and tighter schedules.

Reporting and sustainability requirements are also becoming stricter. Large clients — including governments, grid operators, and water authorities — expect visibility into equipment usage, for example to calculate CO₂ emissions or demonstrate circular use.

Without visibility into where your equipment is and how it’s being used, effective management becomes nearly impossible. Asset tracking makes this insight simple.

Asset tags: the solution to a growing problem

Asset tags offer a smart, scalable answer to this challenge. Over the next few years, this technology will become not only common but essential. In this article, we explain why asset tracking will no longer be a luxury in 2026 — but a new standard for infrastructure companies.

What exactly are asset tags?

An asset tag is a compact transmitter that you attach to an object — such as machinery, containers, mobile generators, or tools. These tags regularly send signals via GPS, Bluetooth, LTE-M, or RFID to show where an object is located and whether it has been moved.
The latter, RFID, finally enables the highest level of reliability in asset tracking — powered by GPS-Buddy gateways. A breakthrough for asset management in infrastructure.

Unlike traditional tracking systems, an asset tag operates without a direct power supply. The GPS-Buddy asset tag lasts up to 8 years on a single battery. They’re also robust, waterproof, and built for outdoor use.

GPS-Buddy asset tags are designed specifically for construction environments. They’re easy to mount on both large and small objects and integrate directly with our tracking platform, Flowter — the first hybrid IoT ecosystem that displays all your moving assets in one view: vehicles, heavy equipment, materials, and even small tools.

Plan smarter, reduce failure costs

The key benefit of asset tags? Less time wasted searching, better planning, and lower failure costs.
Many companies rent or purchase unnecessary equipment because something appears to be missing — when it’s actually just sitting on another site. Not lost, just out of sight.

This leads to delays and double work. Imagine: the excavator is ready on-site, but the hydraulic breaker — essential to start the job — is nowhere to be found. The team waits, the schedule slips, and the entire chain stalls. Not because of the equipment’s value, but because of lost time.

Asset tags prevent such situations. With real-time insight into the location of your equipment, you can respond faster, coordinate usage better, and avoid unnecessary downtime. That’s not a luxury — it’s essential when working under time pressure and tight deadlines.

By 2026, everyone will expect this

Asset tracking is no longer reserved for large construction firms or international players. Public sector clients increasingly demand traceable equipment — not only to control costs but also to ensure sustainability and safety.

Regulations are tightening too: CO₂ reporting obligations, traceability of materials, and new digitalization requirements from the EU are all on the horizon.

Companies that start mapping their fleet and equipment today will be ready for what’s next. Those who wait will have to catch up — often at higher cost and under greater pressure.

Control over your assets is no longer a nice-to-have

In a sector where time equals money, unnecessary loss or delay is not an option.
Asset tags provide the visibility you need to stay in control.

They prevent theft, reduce unnecessary rental and replacement costs, and simplify reporting to clients. And the best part: you can start today.

👉 Want to see what asset tracking could look like in your organization?
Visit our page: www.gps-buddy.com/en/solutions/asset-tracking
or request a free demo: www.gps-buddy.com/en/contact

FAQ

How much does a GPS-Buddy asset tag cost?
The RFID Asset Tag starts at just €25 per tag, a fraction of a GPS tracker’s price (typically €100+ plus monthly fees).

Why are RFID asset tags so much cheaper?
Thanks to revolutionary gateway technology. RFID tags determine their position using nearby fleet management systems, which dramatically reduces costs while extending battery life by 10–20x.

Can they be used on small tools?
Yes. Compact versions are available for hand tools and small machinery — as long as they move regularly.

How long do they last?
On average, 8 years, including the battery — which can easily be replaced afterward.

Do I need to buy a full system?
No. You can start small by adding a few tags and connecting them to your existing GPS-Buddy environment.