Tiny Trackers Exist, But They Don't Use GPS
I love a good sci-fi movie. One of the popular gadgets that you’ll see in these types of films is itsy-bitsy tracking devices that are sewn into clothes, injected under the skin, all sorts of cool stuff. Sometimes, when people find out what I do for a living, they will tell me about something that they read on the internet about the existence of tracking devices so tiny, you can’t even see them. Cool!
The thing is, they don’t exist. At least not in the sense of a tracker that can follow a person or piece of equipment around as it moves about. We do, however, have a real-world piece of tiny technology called RFID that can, and does, routinely track many things in useful, practical ways.
A low-cost management tool with multiple applications
As a business grows, routine operations management activities can quickly get out of hand. Inventory management, asset tracking, and personnel access control can become labor-intensive and time-consuming if not managed properly. When it’s time to look for a solution to these problems, one interesting approach is RFID technology. While it’s not the right option every time, in many cases, RFID can make your business run much more effectively and efficiently.
How RFID Works:
In its simplest form, an RFID system consists of just two components: a tag and a reader. The tag is a tiny integrated circuit designed to store and transmit a unique code, which identifies the tag’s asset. The reader is a device that transmits a radio wave blast with enough energy to “activate” the tag. The tag absorbs this energy and then uses it to transmit its unique code back to the reader. Since the tags do not require an internal battery, they can be very small. Tags can be made thin enough to stick to the back of an adhesive label, and small enough to be mistaken for a grain of rice.
While being small has many advantages, there are two main limitations to RFID technology. First, since the tag does not have an internal power supply, a reader must transmit power to the tag using a radio wave to initiate the scanning process. Second, because the tag’s transmitter is also small, its range is limited. If you need to be able to find equipment or inventory in an area larger than a few hundred square feet, you can still use RFID technology, but you will either need a mobile reader (so you can walk around to find an asset) or install multiple readers in strategic locations around your space.
RFID Applications:
RFID technology has a wide range of applications, including:
- Asset Management: Put a tag on every asset, allowing you to quickly and easily retrieve information about the item.
- Tool Control: Ensuring that a worker or entire truck is properly equipped with all the tools and supplies it needs can be a difficult and time-consuming task. RFID can reduce the time it takes to make sure everything is on board to mere seconds.
- Inventory Management: Whether you need to track hundreds of articles of clothing or thousands of pieces of jewelry, RFID can handle the job quickly and accurately.
- Access Control: Need to restrict access to an area or have a log of when people enter and exit a space? RFID can be used to unlock doors, and keep a record of who has gone in and out.
What can RFID do for you?
Implementing any new technology in business should serve either one or two primary purposes: saving you time or money. RFID can help a company manage assets, control tools and supplies, restrict access to areas, or even (under very limited and specific circumstances) track vehicles in the field. While no technology is perfect, RFID offers a low-cost solution to many common business operations problems that is superior to its alternatives.
Ready to learn more? Schedule a free consultation with me and let’s talk about your application.