Tracking & Controlling Assets Using RFID & Bar Code Presented by Steve A. Doerfler, President Julia Deets, Marketing & Internal Sales Manager Leaders in Asset Management
What This Presentation Will Cover • Factors to consider in selecting tracking technology • Bar Code or RFID…or both – qualify to determine • • • RFID Benefits of using both RFID and Bar Code Universal RFID Tag concept Searching for and selecting an Integrator Asset Tracking Case Studies • Texas Tech Health Sciences Center • Tufts University Leaders in Asset Management
Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider RF Technology – many different aspects • • Type (i. e. , passive, active, battery-assist) Frequency (i. e. , LF, HF UHF) For the purpose of this presentation, we refer to passive UHF RFID technology. Leaders in Asset Management
Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider What do we mean by an asset? • • • Fixed asset – furniture, machinery, computers, etc. Mobile assets – pallets, returnable containers, vehicles, etc. How many members have both fixed and mobile assets to track? For the purpose of this presentation, we include both fixed and mobile assets. Leaders in Asset Management
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? • How is the data going to be used? Ø Work backwards Leaders in Asset Management
Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider Material composition of item being tracked (i. e. , metal, plastic, wood, etc. ) RFID • • • Bar Code Metal – reflects RF, detunes antenna – affects readability Liquids – absorb RF - affects readability Radius or curved surfaces affect RF, read-range • • Surface composition not a factor Can be designed for radius or curved surfaces Leaders in Asset Management
Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider Environmental Conditions RFID • • Bar Code May react differently in various environmental conditions May not be economically feasible for worst case scenarios (i. e. surviving tough environments) • Can be designed to resist exposure to the harshest environments Leaders in Asset Management
Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider Environmental Conditions Asset ID Tags May Face • • • Heat UV Exposure Abrasion Chemicals Solvents Important factors to consider when making technology decision and product decision. Leaders in Asset Management
Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider • • • Partial List of Substrates for Bar Code ID Products Aluminum Photo Composed Aluminum Stainless Steel Polyester Polycarbonate Destructible/Tamper-Evident Materials Leaders in Asset Management
RFID Benefits • Ability to read multiple items in a short period of time (i. e. , case lot unit containers, pallets, etc. ) • Highly beneficial for tracking mobile assets • Increased efficiency in time savings • • • Conduct more audits Increased ROI Line-of-sight not needed to read tag Leaders in Asset Management
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 Leaders in Asset Management
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 Leaders in Asset Management
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 Leaders in Asset Management
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. Resistance to environmental factors • Abrasion/impact resistant • Chemical resistant Leaders in Asset Management
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 Available with bar code Leaders in Asset Management
Universal RFID Label that provides a “One Label Solution” for RFID is now available on the market. Leaders in Asset Management
Searching for & Selecting an Integrator Why is an integrator necessary? • Majority of end users not equipped for RFID ü Insufficient expertise in RF and RFID technology ü Qualified resources not available within company ü Inexperience in integrating hardware and software for complete solution ü Limited contact for providers and limited knowledge of the products and solutions on the market ü Time Leaders in Asset Management
Searching for & Selecting an Integrator What value does an integrator provide? • Site survey and RF analysis • Expertise with specific applications (i. e. , asset tracking, access control, vehicle tracking) Leaders in Asset Management
Searching for & Selecting an Integrator What value does an integrator provide? • Infrastructure installation • Hardware • Firmware • Software • Specify RFID tags (with converter) Leaders in Asset Management
Searching for & Selecting an Integrator What should you look for in an integrator? • Area of expertise (i. e. , asset tracking, access control, vehicle tracking) • Number of installations – indicates experience Leaders in Asset Management
Searching for & Selecting an Integrator What should you look for in an integrator? • Services offered • Site survey • In-house testing • System design • Ongoing support • Hardware installation Leaders in Asset Management
RFID Case Study – Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Problem • Needed a solution to manage over 1, 500 diverse medical assets – both fixed and mobile i. e. laptops, projectors, mannequins, skeletons, IV pumps, EKGs and more. Leaders in Asset Management
RFID Case Study – Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Solution • Implemented asset tracking system designed specifically for tracking and locating assets. • Inventory taken using handheld computer that synchronizes with database. • Eliminates paper and manual inventory processes and provides confidence in inventory reporting. • Also installed fixed RFID readers to have real time view of inventory and know if items being removed from premises. Leaders in Asset Management
RFID Case Study - Texas Tech Health Sciences Center Result • Time Savings – now takes just a half-day to inventory a 20 -page list of the facility’s assets. • Added Value – staff can print out custom reports including total inventory, missing items, etc. • Real-Time Visibility – automatic email notification when item leaves Center. Leaders in Asset Management
RFID Case Study – Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Problem • Needed better view to prevent loss and reinforce safety standards. • Due to demanding patient load (approximately 600 people served every day) the School was misplacing and/or losing dental equipment in the course of distributing, cleaning and storing more than 1, 000 instrument-filled cassettes every day. • They also wanted to reinforce their compliance with procedures preventing dental infection. Leaders in Asset Management
Bar Code Case Study – Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Solution • Using bar code technology user scans each cassette as it travels from the sanitation process to the dispensaries to the students and back to sanitation after each appointment. Data from each scan logs custody and compliance. • Due to demanding environmental conditions (i. e. , repeated exposure to autoclave sterilization) the School chose Teflon®-Coated Metal Bar Code Nameplates. Leaders in Asset Management
RFID Case Study – Tufts University School of Dental Medicine Result • System has been in place for over 13 years – report still using many original bar codes. • Dependable identification of instruments and safe, secure equipment. Leaders in Asset Management
Thank You! Leaders in Asset Management
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