Asset management and RFID

RFID

Nowadays, many companies use barcode tags for the control of inventory, logistics and warehouses. Although extremely useful, barcode tags allow only the registration of a single code of information and demand the manual operation of a reader for the control of different items. Moreover, barcode tags are generally susceptible to natural degradation caused by time and use.

RFID is the abbreviation of “Radio Frequency Identification” and refers to the technology which allows item identification over a certain distance with the use of radio-frequency. Through the use of RFID, companies now have access to the most advanced solutions in material control, inventory control and logistics.

All RFID tags contain a microchip which allow the registration of several pieces of information related to the producdt or item being monitored. Such information can include name, model, asset ID, asset value (accounting), department, validity, etc.

Each RFID tag retransmits a digital signal containing all information and such signal is then used for the control and monitoring of its respective item. This signal can then be read by special readers remotely positioned in your company or warehouse.

RFID has been extensively used in the control of items and materials, including:
-Logistics and control of materials
-Real time inventory control
-Monitoring of items and people moving in a certain area or location (through the use of special RFID badges)
-Monitoring and control of IT assets
-Remote monitoring of temperature and humidity in DataCenters and critical environments
-Remote monitoring of items and equipment in universities, schools, hospitals, etc.
-Monitoring of patients in hospitals (through the use of special RFID bracelets).

Some advantages of the RFID technology include:
-Possibility of storing several items of information in a single RFID tag
-Real time reading of all information from afar, using special readers
-Tags with high reliability and durability. RFID tags do not degrade over time and can withstand water, sunlight, dirt, high temperature, etc.
-Possibility of real time inventory control

ASSET MANAGEMENT

Innovix was the first company in Brazil to implement a complete asset management system using RFID technology. The system is currently used by the University of Brasilia for the monitoring and control of all its IT assets installed in the classrooms in its campus of 600,000 square meters located in Brasilia. The solution allows the visualization , in real time, of all items being monitored, through a high-resolution graphical panel. The unauthorized attempt to remove any item from its location immediately triggers an alert to the asset-management department, guaranteeing total control of all assets and and offering real-time inventory control.

Moreover, the solution offers the transmission of SMS messages to cellular phones of authorized personnel, increasing the efficiency in the monitoring of the university IT assets.