Leading space agency improves efficiency through smarter tool tracking
The challenge: managing shared tools across teams and sites
The company is an intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the exploration of space. It runs multi-team projects where teams share a limited number of specialised tools.
Too often, tools were taken from storage without being reported, or not returned after use. This created major difficulties for other teams trying to locate the equipment they needed.
The challenge became even more complex when large tools, such as drills and forklifts, or small portable devices were shared between different sites. The lack of clarity on tool location led to wasted time, frustration and rising operational costs.
The solution: scalable multi-site tracking with TrackSphere™
To overcome this issue, the agency adopted a flexible and scalable tracking solution capable of managing both large and small tools across multiple sites.
At the heart of the solution is TrackSphere™, an analytical tracking platform designed to support multi-site operations. It offers different levels of visibility depending on user roles, ensuring secure and tailored access to information.
Real-time location data from the tools is continuously fed into TrackSphere™, where it is stored, analysed, and presented as clear, actionable insights in the form of notifications, alarms, and reports.
The platform also enables the client to create geofences around key areas such as tool storage rooms or restricted zones. Each entry into these areas is logged with a timestamp, allowing the client to track who accessed which zone and when, further strengthening accountability.
The results: greater efficiency and accountability
With this solution, the agency has achieved:
- Real-time visibility of shared tools across multiple sites.
- Faster tool access for all teams, reducing downtime.
- Improved accountability, ensuring tools are properly tracked and returned.
- Lower costs through optimised resource use and reduced tool loss.
By making equipment easier to track and manage, the company has strengthened collaboration across teams and improved overall project efficiency.
