You may not be familiar with the world of real-time locating systems (RTLS) and radio frequency identification (RFID), but it’s being used all around you. It’s when a tag (or other location tracking device) is placed on a person or thing, and tracked using electromagnetic fields to transfer data in real time.

As one can imagine, being able to know where things are at all times has some useful applications – primarily, feedback is showing, at hospitals.

Many entrepreneurs are placing their bets in the industry. Locally, Intelligent InSites has been working for over a decade building software for radio and real-time location systems (RTLS) in healthcare. Infinite Leap, a Fargo startup, is also in the RTLS field for healthcare.

Another younger startup in Fargo, ZulaFly, is also stepping into the world of RTLS – but with a different focus. ZulaFly founder Stephanie Andersen has a history in the industry, having worked at Intelligent InSites for many years. She saw how the technology was becoming increasingly popular in healthcare, but saw a gap when it came to other industries.

“We saw a need to offer the same type of solution in other industries,” she said. “People are looking for things outside of healthcare. People are always losing things.”

Two years ago she began building ZulaFly as a way to bring RTLS solutions to more than just healthcare. What ZulaFly offers is a real-time tracking and management system for locating people and assets inside and outside of a facility, Andersen said.

The uses for tracking software can be seen across the board, including in hotels, casinos, manufacturing and particularly education, Andersen said.

“There’s a need for staff safety in education,” she said. “They’re losing assets also. Laptops walk out the door, projectors walk out the door. That [education] is where we’ll see a lot of traction.”

Part of the reason Andersen started ZulaFly is because the tech world is all she knows, she said. Apart from InSites she worked at Great Plains Software and Microsoft before making the leap to start her own venture.

Andersen, who works alongside her business partner Lori Watson, is also very aware that as a woman in the tech world, she’s in the minority.

“I think that there aren’t enough [women in tech]….I’m almost 40 and we’re still doing this in a man’s world. I do believe that,” she said. “I think it’s important that women support other women. We are our biggest allies.”

Currently, ZulaFly employs a team of six and is privately funded. Andersen said she does not foresee doing investment rounds in the near future, although they may be open to angel investments, she said.

Pricing for ZulaFly is dependent on the package, she said. Hospital prices are based on the square footage of the hospital, and school prices are based on how many reports you would like. ZulaFly also sells GPS hardware on a month-to-month basis. Prices for GPS range around $28 per month, Andersen said.

ZulaFly uses an iOS mobile app called Fuzion to display the data gathered by their real-time tracking system (no Android, yet). It’s currently piloting on the Apple Store. Check it out here!