Bosch Track and Trace – Hardware & Software Solutions

Asset tracking for machine and plant engineering: locate load carriers and tools in real time

Logistics in machine and plant engineering places high demands on supply chain management. Companies work with special load carriers (SLT), fixtures and valuable (injection molding) molds, tool carriers, fixtures and tools at distributed locations. The challenges are high individual values, sensitive components and long international transport routes. To reduce loss and lower logistics costs in this environment, end-to-end parts tracking is essential.

A conveyor belt on which various parts are drilled and assembled.

Not just "where", but also "how".

Some tools are more sensitive to transport than to use. Bosch Track and Trace reports anomalies before they become complaints.

Bosch Track and Trace: real-time positioning for your industrial assets

Bosch Track and Trace is the IoT solution for professional asset tracking. The technology provides position data, condition information such as shock or temperature and relevant environmental data for your assets. Data transmission takes place via mobile communications and enables transparent load carrier management as well as efficient tool tracking.

An image that shows 4 impact facts. "-50% shrinkage of tools and equipment", "+25% utilization of assets without new investments", "< 75% reduced search, inventory, book and scanning efforts" and "< 50% saved time for status updates and coordination".

Increase transparency, reduce working capital with IoT and Industry 4.0

Our solution significantly reduces your internal coordination and localization effort. Throughput times in production and logistics become transparent, which supports process optimization and reduces tied-up fixed and working capital. The system is designed as a plug-and-play solution and can be commissioned easily and quickly, independently of your existing IT infrastructure. Optimize your asset management with a leading solution for digitalizing your logistics.

Typical business cases and tracking scenarios in mechanical engineering

Four focus areas that machine and plant manufacturers address with Bosch Track and Trace — from tool cases to finished machines on their way to customers.

A detailed image of various tools with black handles and red accents.

Mobile tool and equipment management

Mobile tool and
equipment management

The challenge:

High-quality tools, measuring devices, or mobile fixtures are constantly on the move — whether on a large factory site or in service operations at customer sites. This often results in long search times, loss due to misplacement or theft and inefficient scheduling because the exact location and condition of the equipment are unknown.

The solution with Bosch Track and Trace:

Every tool case, calibration fixture and mobile welding device is equipped with a robust tracker. Via a central platform (desktop or mobile), dispatchers and technicians can see at any time where each piece of equipment is located — whether in a vehicle, in a warehouse, at a customer site, or on a construction site. In addition, usage durations and service intervals can be monitored automatically.

Your benefit:

Reduced search times: employees find the tools they need in seconds instead of hours.
Loss prevention: automatic alarms when a defined area is left (geofencing) minimize losses.
Optimized utilization: expensive equipment is used more efficiently and utilization is maximized.

A warehouse, with a forklift and a large box on a pallet in the foreground.

Efficient management of special load carriers (SLT)

Efficient management
of special load carriers (SLT)

The challenge:

Special load carriers are expensive circulating containers that are often custom-made for specific components. If they get lost in the logistics network between plant, supplier and service provider, this leads to high replacement costs and, in the worst case, production downtimes because components cannot be transported.

The solution with Bosch Track and Trace:

By equipping SLTs with trackers, the entire loop becomes transparent. You always know how many load carriers are located at which partner, how long the cycle times are and where bottlenecks arise. The system provides data for optimizing inventories and for automated billing of demurrage charges.

Your benefit:

Maximum transparency: full overview of the location and status of your entire SLT pool.
Reduced capital commitment: circulating inventories can be planned and reduced precisely.
No production downtimes: the availability of load carriers is ensured at all times.

A close-up of a treadmill with machinery.

Condition monitoring for sensitive components

Condition monitoring
for sensitive components

The challenge:

High-precision or sensitive components — such as control electronics, optical systems, or hydraulic blocks — can be damaged on long transport routes by shock, extreme temperatures or humidity. This damage is often discovered only during quality control or commissioning, resulting in expensive rework or replacement deliveries.

The solution with Bosch Track and Trace:

Sensors monitor not only the position but also critical environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and shock. If predefined thresholds are exceeded, you receive an immediate notification and can intervene right away or clarify liability without gaps.

Your benefit:

End-to-end quality control: ensuring transport quality along the entire supply chain.
Reduction of transport damage: proactive action when critical events occur.
Clear liability clarification: tamper-proof evidence covering the entire transport process.

A conveyor belt carrying pallets and small boxes.

Transparent mold, plant, or machine shipment to the business partner

Transparent mold, plant,
or machine shipment to the business partner

The challenge:

Shipping a finished tool mold, plant or machine is the final, decisive step. Transport delays, unforeseen events or an unclear arrival time lead to inefficiencies during unloading and installation as well as customer dissatisfaction.

The solution with Bosch Track and Trace:

Track your machine from the moment it leaves the plant until it arrives at the customer in real time. Share the tracking link with your customer and provide maximum transparency and planning certainty. At the same time, monitor transport conditions to ensure that the machine arrives in flawless condition.

Your benefit:

Excellent customer service: proactive customer communication and a positive delivery experience.
Efficient commissioning: the installation team can be scheduled precisely for the machine’s arrival.
Brand strengthening: you position yourself as a reliable and transparent partner.

Tracking hardware & references: use in mechanical engineering

Bosch Track and Trace devices: Gateway 3 family, Gateway 2, Gateway 2 with Solar Frame and new Beacon 3s.

Robust sensor technology for onshore and offshore applications

Our hardware was designed for the demanding environment of mechanical engineering. It is sturdy, resistant to industrial environments and ready for immediate use to optimize your complex logistics and production processes.

The hardware solution consists of a gateway (Bosch Gateway 2 & 3) and a sensor (Bosch Beacon). For integrated monitoring, all-in-one devices such as the Bosch Gateway 3 offer the full functionality of both the gateway and the sensor in a single housing.

With protection ratings up to IP69k and a wide temperature range from −30 °C to +80 °C, our technology ensures maximum process reliability — from the stamping plant to final vehicle testing under extreme conditions.

Bosch Gateway 2 (Connect S2): Ideal for global monitoring of component containers, load carriers (e.g., for engines or body parts), and critical shipments in a global open-loop network (2G / 4G LTE-M) to ensure seamless tracking of supply chains.
Bosch Beacon: Perfect for the digital inventory management of special tools, prototype parts and equipment directly on the production line using BLE.
Bosch Gateway 3 & Sensor (All-in-One): The high-end solution with precise GPS for securing prototypes, pre-production vehicles and valuable test vehicles — including theft protection via motion alarms and documentation of test mileage.

With a battery life of up to 10 years, you can reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) of your tracking infrastructure and sustainably improve the efficiency of your global automotive processes.

Used by the Mittelstand — from TRUMPF to plant manufacturers

Medium-sized machine manufacturers such as TRUMPF SE + Co. KG use Bosch Track and Trace to track their special containers and tool carriers at critical positions in the process & supply chain as well as during transport. From large load carriers (GLT) to finished machines on their way to customers, the Bosch Track and Trace solution demonstrably scales from pilot operation at one site to global rollout.

Start optimizing now.

Are you ready to take your processes to the next level with Bosch Track and Trace? Briefly describe your use case and we will find the perfect setup for you. Simply send us a message — our team of experts will get in touch to discuss the next steps with you.

Asset tracking for machine and plant engineering: locate load carriers and tools in real time

Not just "where", but also "how".

Bosch Track and Trace: real-time positioning for your industrial assets

Increase transparency, reduce working capital with IoT and Industry 4.0

Typical business cases and tracking scenarios in mechanical engineering

Mobile tool and equipment management

Mobile tool and
equipment management

Efficient management of special load carriers (SLT)

Efficient management
of special load carriers (SLT)

Condition monitoring for sensitive components

Condition monitoring
for sensitive components

Transparent mold, plant, or machine shipment to the business partner

Transparent mold, plant,
or machine shipment to the business partner

Tracking hardware & references: use in mechanical engineering

Robust sensor technology for onshore and offshore applications

Used by the Mittelstand — from TRUMPF to plant manufacturers

Start optimizing now.

Additional industry solutions

Automotive

Construction

Oil and Gas