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RTLS at Scale: Lamplight Logistics on Bluetooth, Multi-Tech Asset Tracking, and Cellular Deployments

Ryan interviews Kurt Nehrenz, CEO and co-founder of Lamplight Logistics, about RTLS (real time location systems) for tracking assets, people, or machines across outdoor GNSS and centimeter-accurate indoor environments. Kurt explains that Bluetooth’s widespread adoption has reduced tag costs enough to track tens of thousands to millions of assets, including single-use stickers, while UWB, 5G, and AI/ML make large-scale data practical. Lamplight takes a software-first, “no silver bullet” approach, choosing among RFID, Bluetooth, UWB, and cameras based on accuracy, update frequency, and asset value, then unifying data streams into business outcomes. Automotive returnable containers are highlighted as a key use case to prevent loss and diagnose supply-chain bottlenecks. Success depends on integrating into systems like SAP/ERP, iterative discovery with stakeholders, and cellular “plug-and-play” gateways via Soracom for simpler deployment, predictable cost, security controls, and remote debugging; Cassia Bluetooth gateways enable long range, remote management, and tag commands like blinking for identification.

00:00 Meet Lamplight CEO
00:34 RTLS Explained Fast
01:38 Why RTLS Scales Now
03:14 Choosing the Right Tech
05:29 Cameras and Validation
06:36 Software First Strategy
07:18 Automotive Returnables ROI
09:53 Beyond Dashboards to ERP
12:17 Discovery and Iteration
16:57 Cellular as Deployment Hack
18:55 Bluetooth Gateways at Scale
20:46 Remote Debug and Find My
23:36 Soracom Trust and APIs
25:10 Locking Down Connectivity
27:50 Wrap Up and Contact Info
29:26 No More Dark Spots