RTLS vendor evaluation matrix.
After scoping the use case, the next hard procurement question is: which vendor? RTLS has 60+ vendors across UWB, BLE-AoA, RFID, Wi-Fi RTLS, multi-tech and AGV/AMR.
The honest answer for any given client is usually 3–5 viable shortlist candidates. This is the vendor-neutral evaluation matrix we use to get there — across 30+ dimensions weighted by use-case fit.
The structure of the matrix
The matrix is a spreadsheet with 30+ scoring dimensions across 6 categories. Technology fit: radio type, accuracy at 95th percentile, update rate, scalability, environment tolerance.
Reference deployments: production-scale references in similar environment, validated accuracy in production, customer-callable references.
Commercials: capex / opex per site, year-1 vs year-5 TCO, success-based pricing options, change-order policy. Integration: APIs, standard protocols, support for your enterprise stack.
Service and support: response SLAs, on-site capability, escalation, regional coverage. Compliance and security: certifications, security posture, regulatory fit for your industry.
Per-vendor pre-population
We maintain assessments for 50+ vendors in /vendors/* — and these feed the matrix directly. For each shortlisted vendor, we pre-populate technology fit, reference deployment data, and commercial positioning from our independent research.
Clients then add the dimensions only they can evaluate: integration with their specific enterprise stack, fit with their support model, fit with their procurement constraints.
Weighting by use case
The same matrix produces different shortlists for different use cases. Manufacturing WIP tracking: weight technology fit and reference deployments highest. Hospital RTLS: weight references, EMR integration and clinical-engineering support highest.
Defence and tactical: weight security clearance, anti-spoofing and on-site support highest. Retail item-level: weight commercials and integration with WMS / EPCIS highest. We tune weightings during stage 1 — the dimensions don't change, the weights do.
Reference checking — the hard gate
Most vendor failures correlate with weak reference checking. Our matrix treats references as a binary gate — no production deployment of similar scale and use case, no shortlist consideration.
We then independently verify the references: callable customers, validated accuracy, production-scale evidence, not just pilot success stories. References that can't be independently verified are treated as zero weight.
Hidden costs the matrix surfaces
Three cost categories that don't appear on a vendor's quote but matter for TCO: integration costs with your enterprise stack (often 30–50% of year-1 capex);
change-order costs for additional sites or scope (vendor pricing varies wildly here); support and tag-replacement costs over 5 years.
The matrix forces these into the open by requiring quotes for representative change scenarios and a 5-year TCO model.
What you can do next
Download the matrix, populate the dimensions for your shortlist, and run a transparent scoring exercise. If you want us to run the evaluation as an independent advisor — including the reference verification we do for clients — book a 30-minute scoping call.
We're vendor-neutral and earn fees only from clients. See /about/independence. The matrix is shipped after a short qualification email; sign up to the procurement-toolkit list to get it.
Frequently asked questions
How do you maintain vendor neutrality?
We earn fees only from clients, never from vendors. No commissions, no kickbacks, no preferred-partner deals. The /about/independence page lays out the policy and the public commitments behind it.
Can we customise the dimensions?
Yes — the spreadsheet has documented columns and is structured for client-specific extension. Most clients add 3–6 industry-specific dimensions (e.g., HIPAA for healthcare, ITAR for defence, GDPR data-handling for EU).
Do you cover AGV / AMR vendors as well?
Yes — separate vendor matrix for mobile robotics, with VDA 5050 conformance, fleet-management capability, payload, navigation type and reference deployments as the main dimensions. See /solutions/fleet-orchestration.
How current is your vendor coverage?
We refresh the vendor profiles in /vendors/* quarterly, with major updates triggered by significant vendor news (acquisitions, leadership change, product launches). The matrix template is updated alongside.
Can you run the entire vendor evaluation for us?
Yes — most engagements include vendor evaluation as part of stage 1 of /method. We pre-qualify, run the RFP, verify references, score responses, recommend the shortlist and support contract negotiation. Vendor-neutral end-to-end.
Last updated: