A device tag including a housing that includes a first connector structure constructed and arranged to engage with a battery operated device and a second connector structure constructed and arranged to slidingly engage with a battery such that the device tag is provided between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag also includes an electrical connector carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to provide an electrical connection between the battery operated device and the battery. The device tag further includes an electronic device carried by the housing and constructed and arranged to transmit electrical signals.

Systems, devices and methods for monitoring and managing parts, enterprise resources and other assets, and alleviating risks, in a complex collaboration environment are provided. According to some example aspects of the invention, a device with a hardware- and software-based control system creates unique asset-related information for use in a manufacturing, maintenance and/or tracking process. In other example aspects, the system records that asset-specific information (e.g., using secure network(s) and/or a blockchain), providing it for later access and modification by a number of trusted users, to track and control manufacturing-, maintenance-relevant or other factors. In other aspects, an enterprise resource planning system both outputs information to, and receives information from, the control system, reconciling changes in the data in accordance with a ranking algorithm.

Systems, devices and methods for monitoring and managing assets, and alleviating risks, in a complex business environment are provided. According to some example aspects of the invention, a system including a hardware- and software-based control system creates unique asset-related information for use in a manufacturing, maintenance and/or tracking process. The system records that asset-related information in an encrypted form, providing it for later access and modification by a number of trusted users, to track and control information regarding the provenance of the asset. In another aspect, the system reconciles and records data changes requested by a user in accordance with a ranking and whether data changes have been presented to other users.

An electrical switch with a conductive bridge, a first wire configured to provide continuity with the conductive bridge, and a biasing member connected to the first wire. The biasing member provides a threshold reaction force to maintain continuity between the first wire and the conductive bridge. The switch further includes a housing that directs tensile forces acting upon the first wire to oppose a reaction force of the biasing member. When a tensile force acting on the first wire exceeds a threshold reaction force of the biasing member continuity between the first wire and the conductive bridge is broken.

A security tag for use in a retail environment comprises a main body housing circuitry, the circuitry comprising an oscillator module connected to a buzzer for producing an audible alarm and a switch, and an elongate lanyard extending from the main body and including a normally closed sense loop electrically connected to the circuitry. The switch comprises a transistor. The circuitry is configured such that if the lanyard is cut or otherwise damaged so as to create an open circuit in the sense loop the transistor switch triggers the oscillator module to emit the audible alarm.