System and method for automatic tool tracking, monitoring, and inventory management

A computer-implemented method for tracking and monitoring tools, comprising:

• under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,
• receiving tool tag messages at a location and acquisition/communication unit (LAU) using short range wireless communication from a plurality of tool tags each associated with one of the tools, the tool tag messages each including a tool tag identification (ID);
• obtaining location information indicative of a present location of the LAU;
• associating the received tool tag IDs with the location information;
• and
• sending the tool tag IDs and the associated location information from the LAU to a server computing device over a network.

A computer-implemented method for tracking and monitoring tools, comprising:

• under the control of one or more computer systems configured with executable instructions,
• assigning a tool to a first group, the tool having a tool tag attached thereto that is operative to periodically transmit, via a wireless transceiver, a tool tag message comprising tool tag identification (ID) data for each respective tool tag;
• receiving tool tag messages from the tool tag at a location and acquisition/communication unit (LAU) via a short range transceiver;
• obtaining location information indicative of a present location of the LAU;
• associating the received tool tag messages with the location information;
• sending the tool tag messages and the associated location information from the LAU to a server computing device over a network;
• and
• determining a status of the tool using the tool tag messages and the associated location information, the status being indicative of whether the tool is located with the first group, whether the tool has been relocated to a group different than the first group, or whether the location of the tool is unknown.