Comparable Market Study of RFID for Manual Item-Level Accountability Inventory and Tracking Systems

摘要

This thesis focuses on a return on investment (ROI) strategy for radio frequency identification (RFID) item-level tagging of assets by organizations that maintain manual inventory and tracking systems. The basis of strategy exists in leveraging benefits offered in repeated use of automated identify data and capture technology, RFID. The business model used for this thesis focuses on organizations that provide reference material management services (RMMS) (e.g. library reference material, employee privacy information records, laptops, etc) to internal and external customers. Although technology has created a means to digitized reference material, many organizations are required to maintain manual record systems for various reasons. In addition, a digitized capability does not address the issue of accounting for other pilferable items such as laptops, personal digital assistants, etc. Therefore, evaluating capabilities available in RFID technology could lead to strategic options for eliminating the challenges posed by the lack of item visibility that exist in a manual RMMS business processes. Strategy development will derive from lessons learned in documented RMMS case studies that implemented an RFID solution. This thesis discusses and analyzes companies in private sector industry that have reported positive ROI with tangible benefits by implementing RFID for the purpose of asset control/management.