RFID Asset Management – Expectations vs Reality

What is RFID?

The first technology was the Continuous Wave radio generation which was created in 1906 by Ernst F. W. Alexanderson. The second technology was the Radar device which is thought to have been developed in 1922 and was utilised extensively in World War II (Landt, 2001).

The combination of these two devices resulted in the concept of RFID which was first academically proposed in theory by Harry Stockman in 1948. During this time, RFID was employed as a means to distinguish between enemy and allied aircraft in the war.

Unfortunately, as Stockman notes, technology had not progressed to the point that the complete potential of RFID technology could be realised (Stockman, 1948). So RFID is a technology that’s been around since at least the 1970s!

Until recently it’s been too expensive, and too limited, to be practical for many commercial applications. But now solutions are affordable, and they can solve many of the problems associated with barcodes. Such as having to be read at the line of sight, usually at distances below one meter.

The major trends aiding in the radio frequency technology adoption are automation, supply chain management, asset tracking, payments, and Near-Field Communication (NFC).

Some governments mandate for the use of RFID tags for tracking various industry products, such as defense, livestock, and data centers, are also proving to be important factors in the industry’s development.

Grand View Research

 

RFID asset management is not a matter of one size fits

 

As with any successful project, it is imperative to identify ROI opportunities through a thorough assessment of your requirements before implementing a solution.

Focusing on the efficiencies and cost savings goals will drive the success of your RFID asset management project and improve your asset management processes. A targeted pilot program will successfully prove the solution and often yields changes to the project scope to achieve greater value from the RFID implementations.

The major benefits of using RFID tags is that they do not require line of sight to be registered, can be hidden inside assets and can be placed on metal (special tags).

Being able to read/scan more than one tag at a time reduces audit and inventory count times by 90%.

Types of RFID tracking applications

 

RFID is a bundle of technologies

 

In its simplest form, an RFID system consists of a tag (attached to the product to be identified), an interrogator (i.e., reader), one or more antennae attached to the reader, and a computer (to control the reader and capture the data).

1. Hardware selection; mobile hand-held readers and/or fixed readers with antennas
2. RFID tags whether on metal, harsh environment etc.
3. Asset register system for reporting on the asset data

There are many consideration to discuss before purchasing your asset tags/labels. Asset tags made from various materials and for various surfaces are used in just about every industry. The types of tags range from the humble Barcode label to QR (Quick Response) codes, RFID, GPS or Wi-Fi technology. The purpose of tagging your valuable assets, tools and equipment is to reduce human error, asset “misplacement” and automate business processes.

 

Active or passive RFID tags?

 

RFID systems can be classified by the frequency used and whether the system is active or passive. Passive tags are powered by radio waves (an electromagnetic field) created by a reader and transmitted via its antennae.

The passive tag will remain powered only while it is within the read field. Once a passive tag leaves a read field, it stops transmitting and is essentially dormant. While in the read field, the powered tag will respond to the reader by reporting the data contained on the tag’s chip.

This all happens very fast – most readers can now read 1500 tags per second and can read each tag several hundred times per second [38].

The reader then converts all of these returned signals into data that the computer can understand and store. The unique ID stored on the tag is used to determine whatever might be tagged.

Unlike passive tags, active tags have an internal battery that powers the tag. Because active tags have their own power source, they do not need a reader to energize them; instead, they can initiate the data transmission process.

Active tags have a longer read range, can store more data, and can perform some processing functions, but, due to the battery, have limited lifetimes, are larger in size and are more expensive than passive tags.

Active RFID tags are most frequently found in defence or military operations, yet also appear in technologies such as road tolls, where tags are linked to a prepaid account, enabling drivers to pay tolls by driving past a reader rather than stopping to pay at a toll booth.

 

Reasons why RFID is now viable

 

1. Tags are cheaper to purchase
2. Readers are more powerful with a longer read range
3. Fixed and hand-held readers are cheaper to purchase
4. RFID tags are less sensitive with respect to the surface placement

For a lower cost of implementation, Hardcat supports passive RFID tags. These tags are a worthy solution and generally more suitable for indoor positioning. The practical range of passive RFID tags is about 10 cm to several meters.

Asset tags, their technology and environments

 

RFID asset management proof-of-concept

 

How precise must location data be? Do you need to incorporate barcoded assets into your asset register as well? Start small and generate a proof-of-concept that can be expanded to more complex workflows.

Start with one challenge in your organisation or start with tracking high-value portable asset classes/types that may deliver the greatest ROI on your efforts.

RFID tracking applications are advantageous across a broad range of industries. With technology providing new and exciting opportunities for increasing organisational, financial, and operational performance.

RFID tracking applications

 

RFID technology limitations

 

It’s no surprise that asset tracking is one of the most common uses of RFID. Where organisations attach RFID tags to assets that are often of high value, portable, and hard to reach or access. Just about every type of RFID system is used for assets, tools and equipment tracking and infrastructure management.

However, not all environments are ideal for this technology and there are distance limitations. The distance your RFID solution can achieve is influenced by several factors, as are environments that may confuse RFID readers:

• Frequency of the RFID system
• Individual RFID reader
• Antenna being used
• Thickness and material the tag is attached to
• Type of tag and how it is attached
• The environment the system is being used in
• RFID readers are not happy with liquids and metals, as both make it harder to get proper reads on the item
• RFID readers may get confused when one or more readers are operational within a location, creating interference
• RFID tag signals can collide when there are copious amounts of tags at one location

 

Accurate asset data and ROI

 

As with any successful project, it is important to identify the Return On Investment (ROI) opportunities, assess the requirements, plan the system and implement the solution. Focusing on the efficiencies and cost savings goals will drive the success of your RFID project and improve your RFID asset management processes.

 

Hardcat applications and RFID case studies

Read more on RFID applications in asset tracking

RFID asset management is now a well-known solution for tracking valuable assets. But what is RFID really? RFID is an acronym for “radio frequency identification” and refers to a technology where digital data encoded in RFID tags or smart labels are captured by a reader via radio waves, and used in this case for RFID asset tracking and tools and equipment management.

Hardcat RFID asset tracking with fixed readers

Read more on asset tracking with fixed readers

RFID readers can be fixed as the example above displays; mounted to walls, ceilings, containers or doorways or hand-held for mobility. The type of readers and tags to be considered will be dependent on the location point i.e. height, width and surface to be mounted on, and the environment.

Hardcat RFID security for people and assets

Read more on RFID security for people and assets

RFID-triggering CCTV images are an important deterrent in areas without physical security. Fixed RFID readers installed at prominent entry and exit points (unmanned or manned locations) will automatically detect assets and people moving in and out of these doorways.

A CCTV image is triggered by the RFID-fixed readers for people who do not comply with the requirements of the organisation. Entering a location after normal working hours or having assets that are not assigned to them will trigger an alert, record their image sending directly to the security desk.

Hardcat RFID asset management applications

 

RFID applications are advantageous across a broad range of industries. Technology provides new and exciting opportunities for increasing organisational, financial, and operational performance.

• Mobile maintenance management via phone apps
• School and educational assets
• Asset maintenance via drones
• Vehicle tracking and management of maintenance
• Location security access in unmanned high-security areas
• Tracking and movement of people in a facility
• Item level inventory/stock tracking
• IT assets tracking
• Tools and equipment tracking
• Laundry and Linen Management
• AV (Audio-Visual) production equipment

 

Conducting an RFID asset management pilot

 

Conducting a pilot test will save your organisation thousands of dollars which may be spent on RFID tags not suitable for the asset(s) and/or environment they are working in. A pilot will allow you to choose the volumes and combination of hardware most suitable to achieve your business outcomes.

Having complete visibility of your assets allows you to make informed decisions relating to asset purchases, and can reduce your insurance premiums by more than 30%.

RFID asset management will support your organisation in improving the storing and retrieval of inventory, stock and spare parts. Will search and find assets quickly and automatically, capturing movements.

Tracking aspects other than location and movement, and integrating with enterprise systems, ensures that multiple functions and levels of management can be involved, and the results are measurable.

• Asset lifecycle management
• Auditing/inventory count
• Barcoding
• RFID security
• Inventory tracking
• Tax management

Hardcat recommends a site visit by one of our consultants to look at your environment as well as discuss your required asset tagging solution. With RFID it is not a matter of one size fits all. The tags and readers that you use will depend upon the environment, asset types and the outcomes you require.

Hardcat has sourced the very best in RFID tags and readers so we can supply you with everything you need to start your RFID tracking solution.

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