When Assets Move
Reading an RFID tag on a utility pole
Portable bins, relocated signs, replaced valves — assets move. But your records shouldn’t get lost.
RFID links identity to GIS, so you can maintain accuracy even as assets are replaced or repositioned.
When managing an inventory of thousands of assets, it’s a challenge to keep track of them all. RFID provides the ability to instantly identify any asset in the field and verify its identity in GIS.
Here are a few examples of how RFID helps manage mobile assets:
Construction
Laydown yard
More and more construction firms are adopting GIS to plan and manage construction projects. Because keeping track of materials on construction sites is a challenge faced by every contractor, they’re expanding the use of GIS to include the management of construction assets, including valuable equipment as well as the materials purchased for the project.
Typically, building materials are stored on-site in a fenced-off area known as a laydown yard. Managing the inventory in a laydown yard is a constant challenge – missing or misplaced parts can cause a costly construction delay, resulting in lost revenue when the projected isn’t completed on time. GIS, when used with RFID, can precisely manage the flow of materials in and out of the laydown yard. RFID is integrated with ArcGIS, making it simple to quickly scan every item as it arrives, tying its data to GIS. This is especially useful for identifying items that might look alike but are in fact different, e.g., utility poles are often engineered uniquely for specific locations, but are similar in appearance to other poles in the laydown yard.
Scanning RFID tag on a sign
Once identified with a scan, each item can be followed throughout its journey from the laydown yard to it’s final place in the building – then later tracked for maintenance or repair throughout its lifecycle.
InfraMarker RFID and GIS automates the complex job of managing construction materials and ties into the GIS used for managing the entire project through completion and beyond.
Cities
Municipalities now leverage their GIS with RFID to monitor the location of any kind of asset – from utility poles to buried valves. A simple RFID tag delivers the location, identity and owner of any asset anywhere. RFID immediately resolves confusion in the field when workers need to identify specific assets for maintenance or replacement.
Racks of servers in a data center
The same GIS system used to manage large infrastructure assets can be easily applied to virtually any item the municipality manages. The versatile nature of RFID makes it ideal for any item that can support an RFID tag. RFID tags come in a huge range of formats from paper labels to ruggedized markers built for long-term exposure to the elements. RFID is cost-effective and integrates with the GIS already used by most cities.
Data Centers
Data centers are continually being upgraded or modified to meet customer demands. Customers not only own the data, but they may also own the equipment used to process or store the data. Simply locating each piece of equipment is a challenge.
“One of the primary advantages of RFID technology for data center asset tracking is its ability to give improved visibility and real-time tracking capabilities. RFID tags attached to assets generate radio signals, which are detected by RFID readers strategically located throughout the data center. It enables data center operators to track the position and movement of assets in real time, minimizing the need for human searches and mitigating the risk of asset loss or misplacement. RFID enables data center administrators to swiftly detect assets, trace their movement around the facility, and guarantee maximum resource utilization”.[1]
Manufacturing facility
Manufacturing
RFID increases the efficiency and accuracy of inventory management in factories. A continual challenge for manufacturers is keeping the right amount of stock on the shelves to prevent slow-downs due to lack of parts or investing in too many parts that can negatively impact cash flow. The best solution is to know exactly what and where each part is.
“Inventory mismanagement — whether through overstocking or shortages — can significantly impact profitability. In addition, challenges like managing kitting operations, monitoring expiration dates, and ensuring the proper storage of temperature-sensitive items add layers of complexity.
RFID technology addresses these issues with real-time updates on inventory levels. Automated systems powered by RFID ensure accurate reordering, preventing overstocking or stockouts. For temperature-sensitive products, RFID sensors provide continuous information, ensuring items are stored within the required thresholds and minimizing spoilage. . .
With inventory efficiency between 50% and 90% in most manufacturing plants, RFID offers the potential to move facilities closer to the upper end of that spectrum. By automating tedious processes, manufacturers can focus on higher-value tasks while reducing waste and inefficiencies”.[2]
Wildlife Management
Scanning a RFID-tagged fish
RFID is ideal for wildlife management due to its versatility. RFID and has been used in aquaculture for at least two decades.
Recently, RFID has seen widespread adoption due to recent advancements in linking RFID technology to GIS. Specifically, InfraMarker RFID’s integration with Esri’s ArcGIS and data collection apps, Survey123 and Field Maps makes it a user-friendly solution to fish tracking.
Accurate fish population data helps identify trends, manage breeding programs, monitor fish health, and protect endangered species. For aquaculture operations, tracking fish throughout their lifecycle ensures healthier stock and maximizes productivity. For conservation efforts, understanding fish movement patterns and habitat use is key to maintaining balanced ecosystems. RFID is also key in fish supply chain management, delivering traceability that ensures fish quality and security and promotes the integrity and transparency of product information.[3]
RFID’s is incredibly versatile and scalable. It enhances your GIS system, enabling it to track everything that can be tagged -- throughout the lifecycle. RFID gives field workers certainty when identifying assets, eliminating confusion and wasted time. Make the most of your GIS with simple, cost-effective RFID.