A wireless locating system and method include receiving first messages at a server. The first messages include bed location data entered manually on a user interface of a first patient bed. The first messages also include signal strength data from a plurality of wireless access points in communication with the first patient bed. A first signal strength profile for the first patient bed at a first location is built by the server. The first patient bed is removed from the first location and a second bed is moved into the first location. The second patient bed does not have manual location data entry capability. A second signal strength profile is built by the server for the second patient bed. The server compares the second signal strength profile with the first signal strength profile and determines that the second patient bed is at the first location if the second signal strength profile matches the first signal strength profile.