Real time total asset visibility system

A monitoring system for monitoring inventory control on a real time basis, said system comprising:

• a) at least one host controller,
• b) a tag assembly comprising a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of articles located within a monitored local,
• c) a reader assembly including at least one reader disposed in communicating relation with said plurality of tags,
• d) at least some of said plurality of tags structured for at least uni-directional transmission to said reader assembly on a pre-scheduled time basis,
• e) said one reader communicative with both said host controller and said plurality of tags for real time determination of a status of individual ones of said plurality of tags and the articles associated therewith;
• and
• f) said reader assembly being structured to provide said host controller with a non-compliant communication upon failure to receive a transmission from one or more of said plurality of tags.

A monitoring system for maintaining inventory control on a real time basis, said system comprising:

• a) at least one host controller,
• b) a plurality of tags associated with a plurality of articles located within a monitored locale,
• c) a reader assembly disposed in communicating relation with said plurality of tags,
• d) at least some of said plurality of tags capable of at least uni-directional transmission to said reader assembly, and
• e) said reader assembly communicative with both said host controller and said plurality of tags for real time determination of a status of individual ones of said plurality of tags and the articles associated therewith;
• and
• f) said reader assembly including a power-up procedure comprising an initiating signal sent to said host controller, said initiating signal being indicative of an active status of said reader assembly.