Tracking & Controlling Assets Using RFID & Bar Code

1. Tracking & Controlling Assets Using RFID & Bar Code Presented by Steve A. Doerfler, President Julia Deets, Marketing & Internal Sales Manager

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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?

6. Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider Material composition of item being tracked (i.e., metal, plastic, wood, etc.) • 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

7. Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider Environmental Conditions • 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Universal RFID Label • Universal RFID Label that provides a “One Label Solution” for RFID • is now available on the market.

16. 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

17. 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)

18. Searching for & Selecting an Integrator What value does an integrator provide? • Infrastructure installation • Hardware • Firmware • Software • Specify RFID tags (with converter)

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. RFID Case Study – Boeing • Solution • Double-sided RFID hang tag used to fasten to a part

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

28. Thank You!