Asset Management Assesment and Considerations

The topic on this subject could easily be expanded to a dissertation several pages long, below is a highlight what I have gathered from experience in the field using varieties of technologies, including RFID as a tool.

1) Container/asset management based on field data collection: Most companies depend on processes (sometimes automated) methods to track their containers as they move from point A to B. The issue at hand is that the data visibility is available only at the points of Entry or Exit. Therefore, the data is reported off-line, based on ERP projection, historical and estimates. Assets are accounted for and confirmed only at the points where the container is picked by the infrastructure managing the asset. If the assets have a means to communicate in real-time events as of their current status and geo-location, the benefits are that rather that relaying on modeling the data is fed to the ERP in real-time from the field.

2) Technology for data collection at the edge and security: On my opinion there are several technologies that do help in the automation on the data collection from the assets themselves. How and what kind of data reported is the second piece of the puzzle. There are several methods:

a. Barcode or RFID TAG ID: where handhelds and scanners collect the data by simple identification

b. RFID-RTLS: where a beacon pin points the presence of the container

c. RFID+ Sensing: these technologies enable to identify, and secure the assets at the same time.

3) Supporting infrastructure and asset management system: this has to do to the GPRS, SAT, Ethernet, Wireless and data network capabilities for visibility to the ERP and the data collection flow and data feed.

If you factor these three aspects, you will find that you can indeed have an ROI and efficiencies in your supply chain and asset management. You just have to concentrate on the pain points in the process and bring the benefits with the right eco system of technologies whatever they may be. RFID is a one more tool that can greatly benefit in the processes as long as the technolgy is understood and correctly applied beyond the context of more traditional data collection methods used today.

Data collection and RFID

The topic of today is data collection and Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). There are three aspects that have to be considered when looking at RFID as a data collection tool.

1. RFID tag form factor
2. Points of visibility
3. Software and middleware application

The tag form factor has to do with the physical aspects of the application. Aspects such as, type of tag, data capacity requirements, and desired read rates, a metric for system performance. Usually depending on the material to be tagged with RFID it's important that the form factor of the tag is taken into account . Well written specs of the operating conditions and the flow of the assets are required. the understanding of how the tag will applied to the assets whether the tags will be enclosed protective pockets or plastic or will be attached to a metal surface define a lot of the decisions in the RFID install. These physical aspects are of utmost importance for the reliability of the system.

The points of visibility are related to the RFID reader or access points that will collect the data. Usually a site survey has to be performed and spectrum analysis it is highly recommended to minimize the risks of interference and poor read rates. The quality of the reader is extremely important and the specs of the readers have to be accounted for to make sure the reader will fulfill the applications performance and constraints. Reader should be EPC compliant so that the industry standard can be used for any RFID tag vendor

Last but no least the middleware or software that will display the data is the defining factor to have a full deployment successfully running. There are several vendor and integrators and it is recommended that prior to contract or purchase any software, a good look is taken to the flexibility of the software to minimize expenses on complex integrations or software with too many or little features.

In summary these are the three aspects that should be considered closely prior to any RFID install or use of the technology in a data collection context.

RFID Passive versus RFID Active

Automation professionals are usually concerned with the ecosystem of technologies the will best support the customer needs. In the case of RFID, because the technology is becoming more widespread, there is a lack of a systematic approach.

On one hand, automation can be as basic as the use of bar codes and scanners for the tracking of items. In this context, some consider RFID passive as the "new bar code" or the bar code on steroids endorsed by EPC just as UPC does for bar coding. The next phase we apply the technology pitched against the existing processes. This is the passive world. Then we have real life problems to consider with radio interference, metallic materials, Electromagnetic wave reflections, liquids, etc.

RFID active, on the other hand, is a more mature technology, nevertheless, because of cost, is not considered as a possible alternative for an application within the four walls. Therefore, RFID active is sandbox for vehicle tracking, cargo, or applications where the RFID tag will be exposed longer range of communication.

Then the question becomes: what is the approach for automation with RFID to automate processes when we have this two options?

Depending who you ask, some will try to use RFID passive because is cost effective in massive deployment. However, this approach , on my opinion, is shortsighted. Likewise when in an application where active RFID is chosen there are instances where clearly passive fits better.

On my opinion, the best approach is to take a balance view an consider RFID as a tool within the ecosystem of technologies to solve a problem or provide automation. RFID active should be chosen when there are data storage constraints and lighter reader infrastructure requirements. RFID passive should be chosen when there is the need of visibility at checkpoints such as portals, conveyors, and items that make up the pallet.

For instance, consider that once commissioned, an item with a RFID tag, at the end of the cycle, a nested load that accounts several of them as a group is the best approach for having the active RFID tag that is attached to the container. This enables the double assurance that:

1. 100% of the items have been accounted for and have RFID passive tags
2. The RFID active tag for the nested load has the master list, thus providing the 100% read rate in logical way rather than the physical way with RFID passive on portal
   

In summary, RFID technologies should fit the application and should be used as tools rather than platforms that are forced across a process. The advantage of RFID is the wireless data collection and as long as there are efficiencies, the ROI should be obvious besides the intangible value of the use of the technology.

The topic of the day is...RFID and privacy and how to avoid your install to be sabotaged

There is nothing more frustrating than, after a RFID install, to return the next day and find that the antennas and the equipment has been vandalized or sabotaged. I have had experienced not only sabotage but also interference on some of my installs. The root of the problem is that most site managers overlook the feelings of the employees that interact in the areas of install. To illustrate the point, on one occasion I was working at a distribution warehouse and one of the stock room employees was holding his a batch in front of my newly installed RFID portal and he was asking me if I could read the information of his name batch and whether we were tracking him (that was the rumor in the facility I found out later). Other time, I received several calls because the people collecting the metrics and read rates of the RFID read point show it was not working. I found my antenna ripped off literally. Someone had taken it out during the night shift. Then, I learned that the best remedy to avoid this situation ,was to hold a meeting prior and after the install and spend time with the people that worked in the areas: below is a list with suggestions to prevent this type of issues before you start a new RFID install that requires accessible portals and asset tracking at entrance/exit points:

1. Get to know the people on the areas and ask their manager if you could hold a quick meeting to explain the RFID install.
2. Be very sensitive if the Union workers are present since there may be some tasks during the install that you will not be allowed to perform, and perhaps you will have to schedule time to get this tasks done by Union worker.
3. Explain the technology, it helps them understand the difference between reading a name batch and a RFID tag
4. Make sure you disseminate the information to all the workers for all shifts
5. Hold a meeting after the install and do a live demo if possible
6. Do not hesitate to answer any questions and remember that most do not have a RF engineering or software background.

On my experience, these simple tasks payoff in big way avoiding “accidental” events to the antennas or reader on RFID installs. It certainly has helped me to get support on site when I needed tools I forgot and even some of the people that worked on these sites, once they learned the technology, they felt proud to teach to others in a very positive the benefits of RFID to their work.

Welcome to this page, this is my first posting and I welcome you. What should you expect on this BLOG? My aim is that the two or three minutes you spend reading my BLOG I am able to strike your interest on Automation and RFID. I do not know your background or profession but I will share with my audience from technical principles to Return On Investment (ROI) when it comes to RFID and automation. Perhaps your self have some comments and they are welcome. I look forward to hear from you.