With Bluetooth beacon adoption growing rapidly, choosing the right hardware is essential for successfully deploying the technology across large organizations. Various beacon models are now available with differences in key capabilities. This article outlines the most important factors for enterprises to evaluate when selecting beacons.
Determine Needed Battery Life
Battery life can range from 1-5 years across models, directly impacting maintenance overhead. Analyze use cases and accessibility to determine optimal longevity. For large-scale deployments, prioritize long-life beacons with 5 year battery ratings to minimize swaps. Choose replaceable batteries to avoid scrapping units.
Evaluate Size and Form Factor
Beacons come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Smaller models under 1 inch wide enable discreet mounting in public-facing venues. Larger beacons over 2 inches may allow for bigger batteries and antennas but can be too bulky for customer settings. Pick hardware with form factors fitting each placement.
Assess Durability and Environmental Ratings
Consider the level of durability required for each facility. If beacons will be exposed to harsh environments, select models with high IP ratings for dust and water protection. Analyze drop test ratings and casing materials like plastics or rubber overcoats. These factors ensure resilience.
Determine Optimal Detection Ranges
Detection range can vary from 30-150+ feet. Analyze required proximity zones for use cases—shorter ranges save power while longer reaches provide more flexibility. Dual-mode beacons that switch between long and short range are ideal for enterprises. Zone-based network architectures optimize this.
Review Attachment and Mounting Options
From adhesives to screw holes to magnetic backs, beacons offer a variety of attachment methods for surfaces. Assess which options fit best for the deployment environment and usage—permanent vs removable mounting, flat vs curved locations, permanent holes vs non-invasive attachment.
Evaluate Hardware Management Capabilities
Many beacons can interface with remote management and analytics software for centralized administration and monitoring. Prioritize models supporting over-the-air configuration, firmware updates, battery diagnostics, and monitoring APIs to simplify deployments at scale.
By carefully analyzing key technical differentiators between enterprise beacon models, infrastructure teams can select hardware optimized for their specific use cases, facility environments and scalability requirements. This diligence during procurement is essential for maximizing the value delivered by a beacon deployment over its lifetime.