I’ve often pondered why SCM usage of RFID technology evolved into a much different market than barcode technology, IT systems or industrial automation. It’s kind of a mixture of all three, plus the RFID factor. Here are a few pointers on how I’ve explained it to myself:
From single decoding to multi-gathering
In most barcode systems the barcode reader enables the reading of a single barcoded character string into a user interface that is usually user controlled. In other words, the barcode reader you can replace with your eyes and fingers. In RFID, many processes are based on multi-item recognition (the dock door RFID gate sitting in your DC), in which the system simultaneously performs tasks for each identified item. The single user, single item user interface paradigm has to be rethought to multi user, multi item.
Not automation, but humanomation *)
Compared to automation systems in which machines move things and decide based on clear rule sets (move conveyor, or don’t) RFID brings multi-item recognition to human controlled processes. Think of a forklift driver hurrying for his lunch break. You cannot use the simple rulesets that work for automation systems, but you need to harden the system against the human factor. This factor is quite ingenious in finding loopholes.
Not desktop software, but humanomation *)
I’ve seen IT consultants struggle with rules and user interfaces. Your Outlook email system has 100 buttons in your field of view, and is a user interface optimized desktop software. In RFID however, you are optimizing logistics processes where physical things move – your interfaces should show only the bare minimum you can grasp eg. while driving by with a forklift. This is just opposite like with the automation guys, meaning that RFID userfaces “are dehumaned”, making the machine do most of the work fast, and only bring exceptions visible for the user. Usually IT people do not build systems, that used half by men, half by machines. Again, it’s a system hardening issue, this time against machine provoked failures.
Barcode is read-only
On system level it is much more demanding to create a system that also feeds data back into the tag in certain transaction steps. Unlike for most barcode systems, an automated, fully online and backbone integrated system level is emphasized.
ROI and process integration
Barcode technologies can be quite easily applied to automate single steps of identifying objects, think grocery store point of sales. For multi user, read many applications that RFID systems are often built around, the whole operation process can be rethought and automated. Add EDI messaging for purchase orders, goods receipts and you are really changing physical processes instead of partially optimizing single steps of them.
Maybe due to these differences compared to the traditional sciences, the RFID industry in general has taken some time to develop and formulate itself.
*) derived from human automation – forgive me for inventing a new word, fill me in if an appropriate one exists
Best regards,
Antti Virkkunen, CEO and co-founder, Vilant Systems Oy
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