RFID is an exciting technology that can drive real efficiency through automation:
- Save the time spent hunting for assets.
- Give you better visibility into product workflows.
- Control inventory through automation.
The list of industries and problems that RFID can improve goes on and on. But did you know there are common pitfalls that companies often discover the painful way? This article walks through many of those pitfalls, why they happen, and how to avoid them when you adopt RFID.
Unrealistic expectations.
RFID carries a lot of hype, and that hype leads companies to expect more than the technology can deliver in their environment. Most of it clears up with a bit of education — understanding the different kinds of RFID, along with the strengths and weaknesses of each, sets a realistic bar before a dollar is spent.
Starting without a plan.
Some companies are so eager to get going that they start buying before they understand how the products will actually solve their business challenge. Only after all the equipment arrives do they stop to figure out what to do with it — and often what they bought turns out not to be what they needed. Before any purchasing happens, the project needs to be properly scoped.
Active RFID vs. passive RFID.
One of the biggest decisions is whether to use passive RFID or active RFID. Choosing the wrong type can sink the whole project — it is that important.
Passive RFID tags are less expensive than active tags, but cheaper does not automatically make them the right choice.
- Passive RFID tags have a much shorter read range than active tags.
- Active RFID tags can carry embedded sensors for more advanced monitoring.
Will passive RFID hold up in your complex environment? If you cannot get the reliability you need, pouring money into a passive system can end in a failed project. It also cuts the other way: although active tags cost more, the infrastructure to support them can cost less. As an example, InfinID Technologies makes an active RFID mesh tag called V-Tag that sets up its own wireless network, letting the tags talk to each other. Adding zone-level location becomes inexpensive, and setup labor drops too.
After a thorough analysis, many companies are surprised to find that a hybrid blend of both active and passive RFID is the best fit for their needs.
Budget belongs in the plan.
RFID has a real adoption cost, and that cost needs to be weighed up front. Can you afford to implement the whole project at once, or is it smarter to break it into phases? Companies sometimes shop for the Cadillac model of RFID when the budget only covers a Nissan — matching ambition to budget from the start avoids a stalled rollout later.
Passive RFID tag selection.
Say you have settled on passive RFID and you are ready to buy your tags. What could go wrong? Quite a lot, actually. Choosing the right passive tag is far more challenging than most people expect — see our deeper guide to selecting the right passive RFID tags.
- Wrong form factor. Some passive tags work great only on paper surfaces, others only on metal; some are rigid while others need to flex.
- Wrong durability. One asset has to survive corrosive solvents, a jig has to take very high temperatures, and another has to be waterproof.
Jumping in and buying a batch of passive tags to slap on your assets can waste a lot of money if they are not matched to the job.
Passive RFID fixed readers.
Fixed readers are mounted in one spot to catch passive tags moving through an area — see the Fixed Reader module. The biggest pitfall is that they do not deliver the reliability the customer needs in a real-world setting. Testing is critical whenever performance expectations are high, and customers need to analyze their environment realistically to understand how tags will actually move past a fixed reader.
A checkout example
One example InfinID ran into involved a checkout station in an IT department, with fixed readers at the exits to catch any equipment that was not checked out. The read range should have been fine for passive RFID — but many people walked out with laptops pressed against their bodies, which dampened the signal. A little real-world testing beforehand would have avoided the disappointment.
Testing, testing, testing
Skipping real-world testing of your fixed readers is one of the easiest ways to end up with a project that fails to deliver. Watch your environment carefully so you understand every variable in play.
Best practices.
One of the best moves a company can make when investigating an RFID project is to partner with a trusted solutions integrator. An RFID expert already understands the challenges your project is likely to hit and can guide you the whole way to success — without wasting money on the wrong decisions along the road.
Contact InfinID Technologies to talk through your project. We have the experts you need to get it right.