Leaders in Asset Management

Tracking & Controlling Assets Using

RFID & Bar Code

Presented by

Steve A. Doerfler, President

Julia Deets, Marketing & Internal Sales Manager

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What This Presentation Will Cover

• Factors to consider in selecting tracking technology• Bar Code or RFID…or both – qualify to determine

• RFID Benefits• 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

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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.

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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.

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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?

Work backwards

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

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

Material composition of item being tracked (i.e., metal, plastic, wood, etc.)

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to Consider

RFID• May react differently in

various environmental conditions

• May not be economically feasible for worst case scenarios (i.e. surviving tough environments)

Bar Code• Can be designed to resist

exposure to the harshest environments

Environmental Conditions

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Selecting Tracking Technology – Factors to ConsiderEnvironmental Conditions

Asset ID Tags May Face• Heat• UV Exposure• Abrasion• Chemicals• Solvents

Important factors to consider when making technology decision and product decision.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Universal RFID Label

Universal RFID Label that provides a “One Label Solution” for RFID

is now available on the market.

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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

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• Site survey and RF analysis• Expertise with specific

applications (i.e., asset tracking, access control, vehicle tracking)

What value does an integrator provide?

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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• Infrastructure installation• Hardware• Firmware• Software• Specify RFID tags (with converter)

What value does an integrator provide?

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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What should you look for in an integrator?

• Area of expertise (i.e., asset tracking, access control, vehicle tracking)

• Number of installations – indicates experience

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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What should you look for in an integrator?

• Services offered • Site survey• In-house testing • System design• Ongoing support• Hardware installation

Searching for & Selecting an Integrator

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Thank You!