Seventy-four percent of asset tracking projects deliver ROI

New research from IoT Analytics shows that 74% of asset tracking projects deliver returns that meet or exceed expectations, with user priorities centred on vendor support and system integration.

This analysis is based on a survey of 100 organisations that have implemented asset-tracking solutions in manufacturing, retail, and construction sectors. Respondents indicated an average annual expenditure of USD $110 per tracked asset, covering inventory, equipment, or vehicles.

The survey findings reveal that these expenditures are being justified, as a significant majority of projects meet or surpass anticipated return on investment. The research also highlights a distinct disparity in user satisfaction between commercially available solutions and those developed in-house.

Companies relying on in-house developed asset-tracking tools were found to have the lowest satisfaction levels among those surveyed. Key issues cited include a lack of reliability, poor system integration, and inadequate support. This stands in contrast to the higher satisfaction reported by organisations using commercial asset tracking systems.

Dimitris Paraskevopoulos, Senior Analyst at IoT Analytics, commented on the shift in industry trends and what buyers are now seeking in asset tracking technology.

"Asset tracking has moved from a niche IT initiative to a core operational priority. Our latest IoT Analytics research reveals a significant 74% of asset tracking projects are delivering tangible ROI. This success is fundamentally shifting buyer expectations beyond just features. Today's adopters are looking for holistic value, where cost-effectiveness, security, and integration are critical decision factors. Furthermore, support services are emerging as crucial differentiators, directly impacting customer satisfaction and long-term adoption," Paraskevopoulos said.

The report, titled "IoT Asset Tracking & Visibility Adoption Report 2025", underscores a broader move in the priorities of companies purchasing asset tracking systems. While cost remains one of the most important considerations, security was ranked nearly as highly by respondents.

According to the research, ease of integration with existing systems and the quality of vendor support were ranked as more significant purchasing factors than an extensive feature set. Integration challenges and support quality were identified as areas where commercial solutions notably outperformed internally built systems.

In terms of usage, the report found that inventory management remains the primary use case driving adoption of asset tracking technologies. However, employee tracking was identified as a key growth area for future implementations, signalling an expansion in the scope of applications for asset tracking beyond physical assets.

The research also notes that while most asset tracking initiatives are currently focused on hardware and inventory, many businesses are considering expanding these projects to incorporate workforce monitoring and other operational improvements.

The report specifies that although the average annual spend per asset stands at USD $110, adopters are largely seeing the value returned through improved visibility, efficiency, and reduced loss or theft.

Companies that obtained asset tracking solutions from established vendors reported better system reliability and greater satisfaction with ongoing support, indicating a preference for technologies that offer comprehensive service agreements and integration assistance.

A majority of participants also indicated that security remains an essential factor when considering new asset tracking deployments. This emphasis is expected to persist as more companies connect critical assets to the internet and seek to safeguard sensitive business data.

The findings suggest a possible shift in industry best practices, with buyers increasingly prioritising not only the capabilities of asset tracking systems but also the quality of support and seamless interoperability with other business systems.