RFID vs. Barcode Scanning
RFID (radio-frequency identification) is the future and traditional barcoding will soon become obsolete. That’s the opinion of many these days…but is it a true statement? While RFID technology has been around for more than half a century, it’s only recently come to the forefront since the cost of scanning devices and tags have dropped significantly.
RFID technology theoretically allows you to walk into a room with tagged assets and inventory items and perform a complete physical audit in a matter of seconds. Travelling quickly from one location to the next, an audit of all fixed assets and inventory items - spread across numerous buildings, floors and rooms, is attainable within a very short time period. Yes, the technology used in RFID is certainly more expensive than conventional fixed asset tracking; however, many will argue that with the timesavings involved, ROI analyses favor RFID.
Q: So which is the better option: RFID or barcode scanning?
A: It all depends.
Your industry, company requirements and finances are just a few deciding factors to be considered in the decision making process.
If you have questions or comments on this topic or are simply interested in learning more about RFID vs. traditional barcode scanning, please post a reply.
I am responsible for implementing a system for better inventory control at my company. A vendor who came in to meet with me, referred to companies that barcode as dinosaurs. Any thoughts on barcoding becoming extinct?
Barcoding is here to stay. The simplicity of use and low cost of utilization make barcoding appealing to companies watching the bottom line. RFID won’t replace barcoding anytime soon.
My company recently ditched RFID as an asset tracking option due to the cost of the tags alone, they’re extremely pricey.
What is Real Asset Management’s choice between the two?
Real Asset Management International (RAMI) considers prospects’ key business objectives before providing advice on which asset tracking system would be best. As a provider of fixed asset tracking software that works in conjunction with barcode and RFID tags, RAMI is well positioned to offer impartial advice. A number of factors should be evaluated when deciding on the most appropriate solution for a business including project budget (RFID technology is significantly more expensive) and the volume and value of the assets. For example, organizations with business critical operations require business continuity at all times, i.e. manufacturing companies, and cannot afford to stop assembly lines to conduct a physical audit. Hundreds of items could exist within one assembly line alone and if the items are barcoded, it would take a significant amount of time to scan each asset one by one, whereas with RFID technology, one quick scan can track all assets simultaneously without affecting operations. In this instance, RFID has many benefits over barcoding. On the other hand, a smaller organization, with fewer assets located at each site, would obtain the same level of tracking accuracy and accountability with barcodes. In the end, 95% of our clients find barcoding to be a sufficient method for asset tracking.