These days, the dream of being able to instantly know what’s loaded in a truck or pallet simply by driving it under an overhead scanner is actually possible. But while most companies see the value in RFID tags, only a percentage have actually implemented the technology. So, what gives?
In this blog post, we’ll explore the logistical roadblocks that hinder RFID adoption and how they can be overcome.
How Long is the Implementation Process?
Implementing any new technology into your business requires careful consideration and rigorous testing—RFID is no exception. Selecting RFID scanners that work for your team is essential, as is choosing the right tags. If you have a diverse rental fleet, you’ll likely need multiple types of tags to match your different equipment. Furthermore, if your customers deal in chemicals, concrete, or dirty water, devote some time to ensuring your tags can weather the elements!
How Do We Get Started When Half Our Fleet is on Long-Term Rent?
Not having physical control over all of your assets on day one of your RFID rollout can result in delays and complications. Luckily, we’ve seen customers take different approaches to resolve this problem.
Many manufacturers provide equipment with inbuilt tags, so a portion of your fleet might already be covered! If you regularly conduct field service, add RFID tagging as a service action to be completed alongside normal maintenance. In addition, you can always add RFID tagging to your normal return processes. This last approach would allow you to gradually cover your entire fleet as it comes off rent.
Does RFID Have Any Value If I Don’t Have 100% Coverage on Day One?
This concern is more of a challenge. Without 100% coverage, some of the grander aims of RFID projects remain out of reach.
There is no value in scanning a truck for tags until you have 100% coverage, because if just one item doesn’t have a tag, you’ll have to manually check each one to find out what wasn’t accounted for by the read.
That established, that doesn’t mean RFID provides no value without 100% coverage.
Even if you just scan each individual piece of equipment, you’ve already removed costly errors from mis-keyed data. While not optimal, this approach is still quicker than keying in numbers or writing things down on paper.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, rental companies should view RFID deployment as a long-term project that’s well worth the effort. Even if your tagging efforts progress gradually, you’ll still reap cost reduction benefits as your equipment movements and inventory counts become quicker and more accurate.
Now that you understand how to overcome the difficulties of implementation, ask yourself one question: What could RFID do for my business?
