CAMBRIDGE, UK -- The number of companies offering Real Time Locating Systems has tripled in the past year. While in the past RTLS equipment has consisted of either very short range systems or complex, multiple antenna, multiple beam long-range RFID, new portability and affordability is sharply increasing its use. RTLS is now forecast to become a $2.71 billion business in 2016, according to a report from analysts IDTechEx.

RTLS are electronic systems that are intended to locate small electronic devices on people or things at any time. They are used in everything from hospitals to personal security to supply chains tracking.