Leaders in Asset Management

Tracking & Controlling Assets Using

RFID & Bar Code

Presented by

Steve A. Doerfler, President

Julia Deets, Marketing & Internal Sales Manager

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What This Presentation Will Cover

• Factors to consider in selecting tracking technology• Bar Code or RFID…or both

• RFID Benefits• Benefits of using both RFID and Bar Code• Universal RFID Tag• Searching for and selecting an Integrator• Case Studies

• Boeing• Motorola

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

RF Technology – many different aspects• Type (i.e., passive, active, semi-active)• Frequency (i.e., LF, HF UHF)

For the purpose of this presentation, we refer to passive UHF RFID technology.

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

What do we mean by an asset?• Fixed asset – furniture, machinery,

computers, etc.• Mobile assets – pallets, returnable

containers, etc.

For the purpose of this presentation, we include both fixed and mobile assets.

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

• Not RFID vs. Bar Code• Objective is to collect and manage data;

technology shouldn’t dictate• What is the best solution for collecting and

managing data?

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

RFID• Metal – reflects RF, detunes

antenna – affects readability• Liquids – absorb RF - affects

readability• Radius or curved surfaces

affect RF, read-range

Bar Code• Surface composition not a

factor• Can be designed for radius or

curved surfaces

Material composition of item being tracked (i.e., metal, plastic, wood, etc.)

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

RFID• May react differently in

various environmental conditions

• May not be economically feasible for worst case scenarios

Bar Code• Can be designed to resist

exposure to harsh environments

Environmental Conditions

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to ConsiderEnvironmental Conditions

Asset ID Tags May Face• Heat• UV exposure• Abrasion• Chemicals• Solvents

Important factors to consider when making technology decision and product decision.

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RFID Benefits

• Ability to read multiple items in a short period of time (i.e., case lot unit containers, pallets, etc.)• Increased efficiency in time savings

• Conduct more audits• Increased ROI

• Line-of-sight not needed

to read tag

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RFID Benefits

• Longer read-range• What is anticipated read-range?

• Near field: inches• Short range: up to 2 ft.• Medium range: >2 ft to 10 ft• Long range: >10 ft to 40 ft• Extended range: >40 ft

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Benefits of Using Both RFID & Bar Code

• Minimal additional investment for Bar Code• Not all locations may be able to support RFID

infrastructure• Integrate Bar Code information into RFID

inlay

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Universal RFID Label

Not always practical to use multiple types of labels in asset tracking application

• More inventory, additional cost, and confusion• Inefficiencies created if specific labels not used for

specific type of application (i.e., putting metal mount tag on plastic surface)

Need one RFID label style consistent with

“One Label Solution” for Bar Code

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Characteristics of Ideal RFID Label for Asset ID

• Long read-range for mount-on-metal applications• Approximately 10+ft. (using portable reader)• Approximately 20+ft. (using a fixed reader)

• Similar read-range on other materials such as plastic, wood, liquids, etc.

• Abrasion/impact resistant• Chemical resistant

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Characteristics of Ideal RFID Label for Asset ID

• Thin profile – minimal protrusion for resistance to shearing forces

• Capable of surviving outdoor environments (i.e., UV rays) for a number of years

• Size that will fit most assets• Available in high volumes• Incorporates custom printing

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Universal RFID Label

Universal RFID Label that provides a “One Label Solution” for RFID

is now available on the market.

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Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

Why is an integrator necessary?

• Majority of end users not equipped for RFID Insufficient expertise in RF and RFID technology Qualified resources not available within company Inexperience in integrating hardware and software for

complete solution Limited contact for providers and limited knowledge of the

products and solutions on the market Time

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• Site survey and RF analysis• Expertise with specific

applications (i.e., asset tracking, access control, vehicle tracking)

What value does an integrator provide?

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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• Infrastructure installation• Hardware• Firmware• Software• Specify RFID tags (with converter)

What value does an integrator provide?

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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What should you look for in an integrator?

• Area of expertise (i.e., asset tracking, access control, vehicle tracking)

• Number of installations – indicates experience

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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What should you look for in an integrator?

• Services offered • Site survey• In-house testing • System design• Ongoing support• Hardware installation

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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RFID Case Study – Boeing

Problem• Needed a solution to track more than 100,000 high

value company-owned and government-owned equipment between three different locations

• More than 95% of the parts and equipment have external movement or go back and forth between Department of Defense customers

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RFID Case Study – Boeing

Problem• As many as 20 parts are collected as a kit; each

requiring manual inventory• Many parts do not have a surface available to

adhere a tag

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RFID Case Study – Boeing

Solution• Double-sided RFID hang tag used to fasten to a part

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RFID Case Study - Boeing

Result• Time Savings – before system manufacturing

staging area spent a weekend of overtime sorting and inventorying kits of parts

• Sorting 500 kits now takes five minutes!• Real-time visibility in Boeing’s supply chain

• Reduces loss of high-value parts• Misplaced tools or equipment can be “sniffed

out” with handheld RFID reader

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RFID Case Study – Motorola

Problem• Engineering Shared Services electrical label uses

equipment worth more than $3 million – oscilloscopes, function generators, multimeters, calipers, power supplies, etc.)

• Equipment room attendant maintained inventory manually signing equipment in and out

• Misplaced and “lost” equipment was common

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RFID Case Study – Motorola

Solution• RFID tags assigned to each piece of lab

equipment with doorway hosting data exchange – first allowing access to the room and then allocating equipment to engineer

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RFID Case Study – Motorola

Result• System provides automated issuance and return

of equipment and maintenance• Initial ROI was $250,000; generated by eliminating

staff hours, cutting downtime to check in and out of equipment room, and securing equipment for maintenance to avoid costly replacements

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Thank You!