07-11-2008, 12:19 PM
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The Last RFID Pilot
Issue #153 | July 11, 2008 | by Dave Eagleson
In the market today we continue to hear about pilots or trials utilizing RFID technology. The underlying sentiment is that the technology has not yet matured enough for enterprise deployment.
This is not true. With the right planning of the system from design, development and deployment, a project can and will be a success, driving value and visibility to the end user.
In 2008, if a given project proves unsuccessful the answer can typically be found in the lack of proper planning and execution. It is a result of the system integrator failing to understand the limitation of the technology being deployed, or the means by which to enhance the process correctly.
The reality today is RFID as a deployable technology is truly ready for prime time. RFID has moved beyond being merely a science project, or something to pilot. It has evolved into a tool that has proven to provide value and a definitive return on investment (ROI). Its deployment to solve a large number of visibility issues from baggage tracking, inventory and vehicle management, to toll systems are all well documented.
The death of RFID pilots
As of now, RFID pilots are dead – the need to merely test the technology without a clear plan of use or deployment is no longer required. The testing that has gone on for years has given the market a clear sense of how and where RFID can provide value.
Go from ‘pilot’ to ‘proof positive.’ If you want to begin in one area of your operation for a Phase One deployment and work out the bugs, that makes sense. You then control the ability to expand your deployment once you are sure of the performance and results. Testing RFID merely for the sake of testing through pilots is a waste of time and money.
What you want in a Proof Positive or Phase I effort is to create a micro effort for a macro deployment. If you don’t plan on using the technology, then save your pilot money. Use your funding to create the system to meet your specific needs. Once you are sure it is driving value, use that to fund expansion and realize its full potential.
Targeted business solutions
Targeted, solutions are solving business problems of all kinds today. Take a difficult proposition, like Boeing keeping track of unstable chemicals that must be stored between -60º and -80º F in freezers throughout their massive production facilities. With a shelf life of 30-45 days – and a clock ticking the moment they are manufactured – product was going unused or expired because they lacked the systems to seamlessly monitor the materials. RFID Global Solution was brought in and we designed and deployed dozens of Smart Freezers, saving them millions of dollars via efficiency and elimination of waste. They realized an ROI in months, not years.
A more straightforward example of a targeted deployment we did was to better track personnel in an out of manufacturing plants. Through tracking and managing thousands of personnel via RFID, imagine the difference for thousands of workers coming and going during shift change, within a 15-30 minute wave. The difference between swiping your employee card versus just walking though the exits proved to save both time and money.
These are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of value added solutions where RFID has played a critical role as the base technology. The point is RFID can be used to solve everyday issues of vastly different types and requirements.
Can’t things go wrong?
Not every project will go according to plan. Despite the design, development and deployment efforts put forth, something can go wrong. That is true of any technology. But it is up to the integrator to continue to work through the issues, to get a system to the point of providing the visibility and value that ensures success. The project cannot and should not stop until it is functioning properly and the integrator “hands over the system key,” based on established expectations and a clear set of deliverables.
When chosen correctly, if the right RFID tool to solve the problem is used – be it UHF, HF, Wi-Fi, UWB or other auto-identification solutions active, passive and semi-passive – the project can be, and will be, successful.
It can be confusing, since today many companies claim to have expertise in deploying RFID; and everyone can portray themselves as “experts.” Look carefully at how someone becomes a subject matter expert and who determines that they are?
There are fine RFID implementers out there to be sure; but there is also an abundance of what I call “PowerPoint” experts. They present, and tell you what they can do; but what matters is have they truly accomplished and achieved the success they claim? References are critical in any business; it is by customer success and confidence that one becomes proven.
Take the time to document your problem in terms of the “as is” and “to be.” Have a knowledgeable solution provide conduct a site survey and business process analysis (BPA). This is no different than hiring and paying an architect to create a blueprint. Deploying an effective system requires an effective design, to develop a system that best meets your needs and requirements to ensure success.
So when someone states that RFID is not quite ready, don’t believe it. They may not be ready. The technology has moved beyond “PowerPoint” and is driving proven ROI across a broad number of applications.
Dave Eagleson is Senior VP of Sales & Marketing at RFID Global Solution. RFID Global Solution - Beyond Compliance
Last edited by Monica : 07-11-2008 at 12:34 PM.
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