When embarking into a RFID Project, there are some key pointers to consider before engaging implementers to deliver the solution. Most of the time, customers aren’t clear with their expectations as well as the impacts. Here are some key pointers that you should consider thinking about before embarking on your next RFID project.
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Stakeholder Buy-In
In most organisation RFID initiatives are bottom up, where individual (i.e. technical folks) identify a possible use for RFID within their workflow or process. The quickly initiate information gathering and start collating information. Even though this is good process of validating the potential of RFID in their environment, it would be much better if a 360 consent was received from management, peers as well as subordinates so that alignment between stakeholders are achieved before setting forward.

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ROI Expectations
Most organisation will perform a cost-benefit analysis before embarking into any projects. They may employ financial analysis model such (Net Present Value)NPV, (Internal Rate of Return)IRR, to ascertain long term benefits and justification of the upfront cost incurred. In order to ascertain ROI, first and foremost is to identify wheter its a SOFT or HARD ROI that the organization is aiming for. ROI objectives needs to be clear as different scope of RFID projects will have different ROI time frames.

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Workflow/Process Implications
Its is imperative that organizations have an understanding of workflow/process implication when introducing RFID into the environment. There should be an change/impact analysis done prior to engaging activities to deploy RFID. A time study would help provide insights whether introduction of RFID would reduce and improve the workflow/process.

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Tagged Object Portfolio
Another important aspect which would be useful is to build an tagged object portfolio. Have a understanding of material composition/dimension/flow of the product to be tagged would provide key insights into selection RFID Operating Frequency as well as Type Of Tag/Reader. The are many instances where object materials are either RF Opaque(Non RF Friendly) or RF Lucent (RF Friendly) which will impact upon the implementation of the solution.

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Infra/Info Structure
Infra/Infro structure is an capacity/capability assessment done on the currently available infrastructure/information structure. This would aid to see the need to expand the infrastructure/infostructure to accomodate the introduction of RFID into the business ecosystem.
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So there you are, the 5 Important Pointer to keep in mind, if you like to learn more about managing a RFID project take a few minutes to watch this VPOD.
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RFID Tidbits Team
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Till the next RFID Tidbit, Happy Tagging !
