RFID – an alternative Identification technique
Last year a wide range of articles were published in national and local newspapers re the use of a ‘spy-chip’ in wheelie bins. This RFID-chip is nothing more than a little piece of silicon holding a unique identification number that is related to the address the wheelie bin belongs to. In many European countries such as Germany and the Netherlands, the waste collection vehicle does weigh the wheelie bin, reads the RFID-chip and records the results. The owner of the wheelie bin does pay for the amount of waste his household did produce at the end of the year.
But what is RFID and how does it influence a daily process?
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. The principle is a silicon chip holding a unique ID-number and/or pre-programmed information. This number and information can be read by an interrogator or reader using radio frequency for data retrieving. The technology as such is not new and being used for many years in the agricultural world for individual and restricted feeding of dairy cattle in the milking parlour. It is used in many applications, surrounding you daily. Take the London tube, using your Oyster card. This RFID-card enables your access to the system. Marks & Spencer is using RFID in the logistic supply chain improving the service level on the shop floor very successful. Some airports are using RFID luggage labels for a more efficient tracking of luggage and reducing the numbers of lost luggage. Also with a very high success rate.
The same principle can be used within many industrial and logistic processes where a unique identification code is required for identifying, or data collection on, an object while in process.
* Identifying a pallet in transport by its unique number will tell the system where this pallet physically is and more important what the content of that pallet is. Relating this information with a batch number or date of production, address information where from and where to, can offer benefits to a distribution chain in the industry. This can result in a more efficient planning of production, transport coordination, even availability ‘on the shelve’ on the shop floor.
* Identifying a tool in process can reduce the risk of using of wrong tool for the job; control the calibration and or accreditation of the tool before using; building up history of tool use, which can support to the arguments when investing in replacement of the tool.
* Identifying the crate with fresh, chilled or frozen food, using a combination of or a RFID with integrated temperature logger, does create a quality improving tool for the distribution chain.
The RFID-technology offers more benefits as just Barcode, but does not have only advantages. Many pilots and trials have been done in the industry over the last decade. Many times this was done to quick and reaching to far trying and often wanting to score results on short term, only demonstrating to senior management just that the technology was ‘not suit for purpose yet’. Many times it wasn’t the technology that failed, but the people running the projects. RFID, and integrated sensor technology, can create solutions to ‘impossible’ applications, but only if you are willing to invest time and effort. The results can be very beneficial as the Marks & Spencer project proves.
* integrating RFID in an industrial or logistic process;
* integrating RFID systems with material-handling devices;
* integrating RFID systems with tooling issues; or
* how to overcome warehouse inventory-management challenges.
The five principles to consider when implementing RFID.
Any RFID implementation should follow the following principles.
1. Scope and Focus on that scoop.
Deciding the exact scope of your project is essential for the success. But even more essential is focus on that scoop. My experience learns that while in the process of implementing RFID, creativity often takes a wider scope as people start to be creative. This does increase the risk of finding yourself behind schedule, exceeding the budget without solving the original application that lead to deploy RFID in the first place.
2. Research the available technologies, understand the fundamentals and limitations of each, seek verification and demonstration. Knowing the limitations and realities will help you separate the marketing fantasies (and cow-boy stories) from the real world.
3. Set a realistic process- and time frame.
A realistic time frame includes doing field tests and introducing the impact of the implementation to the people who are actually going to work with this technology. The whole issue of deploying RFID is to make their work easier and more efficient.
Design a process flow chart with clear steps indicated. Each step should offer a measurement point or boundary for the management to be able to keep track of the process.
4. Set up realistic field tests and discuss the outcome with the stake holders. This includes the people on the work floor involved. These field tests may prove that alternatives need to be discussed and/or designed. Plan for failure during the design phase of the solution. A proper risk assessment is part of the field test and will help to reduce the downtime when a failure occurs.
Be creative and Imaginative. This technology will do many things, but following the crowd will not always bring the solution you’re looking for and accept failure as part of the process to design the right solution.
5. Keep it simple to start with. Integrate the information step by step into the back-office or the network. Start with the data collection at the reader (interrogator) level. When the first simple installation has proven its success, further integration to the back-office or management system can be considered. Take in mind that this is often a project in its own right.
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