University of Hail

IoT Asset Management Solution with 3,000 Asset Tags in a Decentralized Mesh Network

Creation Source implemented an IoT-based Asset Management and Tracking System across multiple campuses in University of Hail to gain real-time visibility of critical assets, improve utilization, and reduce losses across academic and laboratory environments.

university
Industry Type
Education
Company Size
Large
Number of Employees
20,000
Deployed Across
  • Main Campus
  • Baqa Campus
  • AJA Girls Campus
Location
Hail, Saudi Arabia

Our IoT sensors at UOH, actively track specific information about assets without any human involvement. These IoT sensors are attached to assets to gather data. At regular intervals or via locally triggered action, the asset tags wake-up, collect signal strength information from the anchors and sends the it to gateways.

The gateways then forward the data to the Cloud, where the RTLS Solver runs and compute a position based on the known position of Anchors and measured RSSI.

The solution leverages a low-power wireless mesh network, battery-powered sensors, and a centralized cloud platform to track asset locations and movements accurately across all buildings, floors, and laboratories.

University of HailUniversity of HailUniversity of HailUniversity of Hail

Digital Asset Register

A Real-time, Digital Asset Register with up-to-date inventory of all assets and Notebook values.

API Integration

API integration with existing platforms and ERP systems.

Real Time Location

Real Time Location visibility of every Computer on the computer lab floor.

Geofence Violation

Geofence Violation alert if a computer moves outside defined boundary.

Battery-Operated Infrastructure

Fully battery-operated infrastructure, no wiring involved, resulting rapid installation and low CAPEX. 5 OR 7 years of battery life for tags and anchors.

Digital Twin

Digital Twin reality creation by combining computer identity, lab, campus, college information and location data from IoT sensors.

Deployment in local KSA Cloud

Privacy and data protection with Application and Backend deployment options in local KSA Cloud or on-premises.

Decentralized Mesh Network

Self-healing, Decentralized, Dynamic Mesh wireless network.

Dynamic Count

Dynamic Count of all computers across all labs.

Project Objectives

The primary objectives of the project were:

  • To track valuable university assets in real time across campuses
  • To provide accurate indoor location visibility at floor and laboratory level
  • To monitor asset movement history and usage patterns
  • To reduce manual audits and asset misplacement
  • To enable long-term, low-maintenance tracking using battery-powered devices

Solutions Overview

The University of Hail Asset Tracking System is built on a mesh-based IoT architecture consisting of Tags, Anchors, Gateways, and a Cloud Platform.

Tags

Tags are attached to assets and transmit location signals

Anchors

Anchors are fixed reference points installed across buildings and floors

Gateways

All data is routed to a Gateway, which securely sends information to the cloud

Mesh Network

Tags and Anchors communicate with each other using a mesh network

Cloud Platform

The cloud platform visualizes asset locations, movements, and alerts

Operational Workflow

  • Tag attached to an asset transmits signals
  • Nearby Anchors receive and relay data through the mesh network
  • Data hops across the mesh until it reaches a Gateway
  • Gateway sends data to the cloud platform
  • Cloud system updates asset location, movement, and alerts
Operational Workflow

Mesh Network Architecture

A mesh network is a smart communication system where devices communicate with each other instead of relying on a single direct connection.

Functionality

  • Tags and Anchors communicate wirelessly with nearby devices
  • Each device helps relay data forward, forming a connected web (mesh)
  • If one path is blocked, the data automatically finds another route

Advantages

  • Makes the system highly reliable
  • Makes it scalable across large campuses
  • Ideal for indoor environments with walls and multiple floors

Cloud Platform and Visualization

All asset data is processed and displayed on a centralized cloud platform that provides:

  • Real-time asset location on indoor floor plans
  • Visibility across buildings, floors, and laboratories
  • Movement history showing where an asset traveled over time
  • Alert playback, allowing users to review asset location during a selected time period
  • Centralized dashboard for monitoring and reporting

This enables university staff to instantly locate assets and review historical movement patterns without physical inspections.

Cloud Platform and Visualization

Specifications

This architecture minimizes power consumption while ensuring continuous connectivity.

Tags and Anchors
  • Battery-powered
  • Battery life of 7–10 years
  • No direct internet connection
Gateways
  • Powered devices (no battery)
  • Only component connected to the cloud
  • Collect data from the mesh network and transmit it securely

Equipment Integrated from Vendors

Campus
Tags
Anchors
Gateways
Buildings
Floors
Labs
Main Campus
567
442
21
3
5
35
BAQA Campus
831
222
17
8
24
45
AJA Girls Campus
1,581
896
37
11
15
52
Total
2,979
1,560
75
22
44
132
Industrial Coin IT004 Beacon

2,979

Industrial Coin IT004 Beacon

Bluetooth

Industrial Coin IT004 Beacon is designed to full fill all requirements for asset tracking in schools, universities, hospitals, healthcare, logistics, item management use cases.

Wirepas IT005

1,560

Wirepas IT005

Bluetooth-LE

Wirepas IT005 is designed to full fill all requirements for asset tracking, logistics, item management or predictive maintenance use cases.

Treon T-GTW Gateway

75

Treon T-GTW Gateway

LTEWiFiEthernet

Treon Gateway collects, processes, and transmits data from sensors to any cloud backend over a wide range of wired and wireless connectivity.

Outcome and Impact

The IoT-based Asset Management and Tracking System significantly improved operational efficiency at the University of Hail. By providing accurate indoor location tracking, long-term battery-powered devices, and a reliable mesh network, the university gained a future-ready platform capable of supporting large-scale academic and laboratory environments.

Use Cases

Use Cases

  • Real-time tracking of university assets across labs
  • Quick identification of asset location during audits
  • Monitoring asset movement between buildings, floors
  • Historical playback for investigation and verification
  • Improved asset utilization and planning

Benefits to University of Hail

  • Full visibility of assets across campuses
  • Reduced asset loss and misplacement
  • Elimination of manual asset searches
  • Long battery life ensures minimal maintenance
  • Scalable architecture for future expansion
Benefits to University of Hail

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates how a mesh-based IoT asset tracking solution can successfully address the challenges of managing assets across complex university environments. The University of Hail deployment provides a strong foundation for scalable, low-maintenance, and intelligent asset management across all campuses.