Link Labs: The First Leader in Enterprise Asset Tracking

Apple’s AirTags sparked a wave of consumer interest in asset tracking, but their capabilities fall short for businesses seeking robust, real‑time visibility. Since 2014, Link Labs has been pioneering enterprise asset tracking with a comprehensive Internet‑of‑Things (IoT) platform that empowers organizations to locate, monitor, and manage assets in real time.

Apple AirTags vs. Link Labs AirFinder – A Quick Comparison

If you need a simple, consumer‑grade tracker for a few personal items, AirTags are ideal. For scalable, high‑volume enterprise asset tracking, AirFinder offers a full suite of features.

Tag Cost

• AirTag: $29 each or a four‑pack for $99.
• AirFinder: Indoor BLE tags range from $8–$15 per tag, depending on volume and tag model. AirFinder leverages off‑the‑shelf BLE hardware with patented firmware.

Coverage Distance

• AirTag: Up to 100 m (≈328 ft) with 20–30 ft accuracy indoors. For longer distances, the Find My network taps into millions of Apple devices worldwide.
• AirFinder: Indoor or outdoor tracking at any distance through a dedicated IoT platform.

Location Accuracy

• AirTag: “Precision locating” delivers bearing data within ~12 ft; otherwise signal strength alone is used.
• AirFinder: Sub‑meter accuracy on custom indoor floor maps; outdoors, a hybrid of GPS, LTE‑M1, BLE, and other technologies pinpoints location.

Battery Life

• AirTag: Approximately one year on a single CR2032 coin cell.
• AirFinder: 2–7 years per tag—up to 400× longer than typical BLE tags—thanks to proprietary low‑power communication protocols.

Bottom line: AirTags serve individual consumers well; enterprise environments require the advanced functionality of Link Labs’ AirFinder.

Leading the Way in Organizational Asset Tracking

While Apple continues to redefine consumer electronics, Link Labs is reshaping how businesses manage high‑value assets. Founded in 2014 by veterans from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Link Labs’ team brings expertise from defense, telecom, and intelligence sectors.

With nearly 30 patents in low‑power wide‑area networks and indoor/outdoor positioning, Link Labs has introduced multiple firsts:

Key Milestones

2014 – First FCC‑certified LoRa devices in the US
2016 – First network‑certified LTE‑M1 devices in the US
2017 – First mass‑produced BLE device with a built‑in location engine
2018 – First indoor/outdoor BLE/LTE‑M1 solution
2019 – First hybrid BLE/ultrasound location solution
2020 – First seamless indoor/outdoor tracking device using five technologies
2021 – First extreme‑low‑energy (XLE) protocols that extend off‑the‑shelf battery life by 400×
2021 – First phase‑ranging for indoor asset tracking

AirFinder delivers effortless, cost‑effective asset visibility across any environment. By integrating intelligent RFID and low‑power IoT technologies, it eliminates the trade‑off between price and performance.

A Complete IoT Platform for Every Organization

Manufacturing plants, construction sites, hospitals, shipping hubs, and fulfillment centers all rely on precise asset tracking to keep operations running smoothly. Link Labs’ platform gives them real‑time visibility, lifecycle insights, and actionable data.

AirFinder comes in two variants to match your needs:

• AirFinder OnSite: The first indoor IoT platform that uses phase‑ranging for real‑time location and actionable intelligence.
• AirFinder Everywhere: The first seamless indoor/outdoor system that blends five technologies to cover any location.

AirFinder is Wi‑Fi and IT‑agnostic, features simple installation, and offers an intuitive online dashboard—all at a lower cost and higher ROI.

Curious how Link Labs can transform your asset management? Request a demo today.