15 Key Questions to Ask Before Tracking Assets With RFID
- What are you trying to accomplish?
The first step is to understand your company's goals for this system.
- What does your current asset tracking process look like?
Understand your current process before implementing any new changes in order to identify any obstacles.
- What are the problems or gaps in your current system?
Identifying the underlying problem helps you design the framwork for a solution.
- How have these problems been addressed to date (if at all)?
Identify how your cureent solution's problems can be solved in case RFID is not the solution.
- What would a 'perfect' system look like?
Insight into your company's perfect system can prompt you in the right direction.
- Is there a budget for this system? If so, how much?
Conducting research without a budget in mind can set unrealistic expectations.
- How many employees are currently involved in your process?
For some systems, equipment is needed for each employee involved in the process.
- What assets will you be tracking?
Helps to narrow down RFID tags and hardware that can be used.
- Are there any constraints as far as tagging these items (size or heat constraints)?
Helps to further narrow down RFID tags and hardware that can be used.
- Do any of these assets contain liquids?
Narrow down RFID tags as well as prepare any RF blocking blocking materials needed.
- Approximately how many assets will need to be tagged at a time?
Understand minimum quantity of tags required.
- How many read zones do you require?
Gives you the scope of the project including the amount of hardware needed.
- How fast will these assets move through the designated read zones?
Narrow down the type of configuration and equipment required.
- Do you require real-time location?
Help to determine what type of RFID system is needed.
- Are there any time constraints in setting up a system?
Set a realistic timeline to avoid unrealistic expectations.