RFID: Look before you leap, CIOs advised

BANGALORE: With RFID being touted as the new revolution in technology to watch out for in the coming years, not many are aware with the kind of processes involved for a successful implementation. IT managers, keen on implementing new technologies are being advised that they need to watch out for the technology to evolve before jumping into the bandwagon.

According to VDC's recent research, RFID Middleware Solutions: Global Market Opportunity, end-users are ill prepared to handle to influx of data from RFID implementations. In fact, many have yet to master data quality issues with currently installed bar code solutions.

Many users indicated that they are experiencing difficulty extending their RFID pilots - especially in the consumer goods, pharmaceutical and military supply chains-because AIDC technologies, whether bar code or RFID, generate an unprecedented amount of information that their legacy systems cannot easily handle.

They are finding that once RFID data is captured, the quality problems begin. For example, some pilots are missing up to 30% or more of the transponders passing by readers, producing a high volume of false negatives. Meanwhile, readers keep reading several times a second, piling up questionable data. And these are only tow examples of emerging issues with RFID data integration, collection, aggregation and filtration.

The method used to implement RFID systems can have a significant impact on these issues and the overall success of an RFID deployment. A quick fix (i.e. slap-ship-and-stop approach) may result in immediate installation and compliance, but will probably negatively impact the long-term benefits of an RFID system.

Respondents to VDC's survey contend that as the supply chain moves faster, deductions and penalties from retailers will be greater as they will require better synchronization and cleaner data. Without question, clean data and data synchronization is a top priority for any RFID implementation