RFID tags are affixed to assets in order to track them using an RFID reader/scanner. The RFID reader is paired with an RFID scanner app to explore the full functionality of the technology. With this system, your staff can easily scan assets.

With barcode labeling, your staff will have to point the barcode scanner directly at the tag to get an accurate scan. They may even need to reach difficult locations like climbing ladders to scan hard to reach assets. With RFID technology, the reader can be some distance away and still you will get an accurate scan. One employee can scan several assets in just a few seconds.

RFID tags can be integrated with sensors and GPS technology to provide asset condition data along with location information. By integrating with wireless LAN, assets can be identified and located remotely in seconds. Since assets can be located almost instantaneously and data about them obtained, most asset management tasks can be made more efficient.

How is RFID used in real-world applications?

Examples of RFID applications are almost endless. Applications extend from broad areas like inventory tracking to supply chain management and can become more specialized depending on the company or the industry. Types of RFID applications can span from IT asset tracking to car rentals.

Inventory tracking

Tracking on the item level is beneficial across a broad cross-section of industries but the retail sector seems to benefit the most from the use of RFID.

Using RFID to track items all the way to the point of sale provides companies with data that can be used to identify product demand in various channels and allocate inventory appropriately. This prevents items from being out of stock.

Nike, one of the top footwear brands in the world has decided to implement RFID in almost all Nike apparel and footwear worldwide.

Logistics and supply chain visibility

Due to the pandemic, more people are shopping online. This has put immense pressure on supply chains. In such a scenario, getting an advantage in the supply chain means increasing efficiency.

RFID provides managers with the ability to uniquely identify every item on the facility floor but then goes one step further in providing that information without requiring line of sight. This proves beneficial in stages like packaging, shipping, and delivery.

IT asset tracking

IT assets such as servers, computers, mobile devices, tablets, routers, etc are costly investments for any company. Also, if the information stored in those items falls into the wrong hands, that could prove to be detrimental for the company.

IT asset tags provide your IT team with the ability to quickly do an inventory count and make sure everything is in place. Your IT personnel will need to use the RFID scanner app and start scanning. IT asset tracking prevents theft of monitored assets.

Attendee tracking at events

If you have managed a large conference before, you will know that it is important to keep people moving throughout at a steady pace. With an RFID attendee solution, you can eliminate the need for registration lines at entrances.

Attendees are given badges affixed with RFID tags. Appropriately placed RFID readers/scanners track the location of the badges as the attendee visits booths, product demos, seminars, and other events. You can gain a lot of business intelligence from events like trade shows, conferences, corporate functions, etc.

Car rental

Car rental services are putting RFID in place to recognize vehicle returns. This can help the car rental companies to score major customer service wins by allowing customers to park in any open spot and go.

To provide corporate clients with car rentals, Avis Car Rentals recently upgraded its system. The upgrade allows corporate customers to rent and return vehicles on corporate campuses on virtually any location. Customers can rent cars through their smartphones and pick and return vehicles at the campuses. An electronic receipt will automatically be generated as soon as the RFID tag is tracked by the reader/scanner to make sure that the car has been returned.

Is there anything more that you want to know about RFID technology or specifically about an RFID scanner app? Please feel free to leave your comments below.