Table of Contents

03 How do I know if RFID is right for my application? (Q1)

04 Is there a chance RFID wont work for me? (Q2)

05 How much will an RFID system cost? (Q3)

06 Can I try RFID before investing in a full system? (Q4)

What do I need for a full system? (Q5)

07 How do I choose my RFID hardware? (Q6)

08 How do I choose RFID tags? (Q7)

Can I get RFID tags pre-printed and pre-encoded? (Q8)

09 What sort of software will I need for my RFID system? (Q9)
Can I setup an RFID system without software? (Q10)

10 Do I need a software engineer on staff? (Q11)

Who installs the RFID system? (Q12)

11 Is there a recommended way to set up RFID hardware and get started? (Q13)

How many read zones are needed and where will they be located? (Q14)
12 There are items in my facility that contain liquids/metals; does that mean RFID
will not work for me? (Q15)
What if I want to use RFID in my facility for more than one application? Should
13 I have separate RFID systems? (Q16)
How long does a typical RFID system take to deploy? (Q17)

14 How do I train my employees on RFID? (Q18)

15 When will I see a return on investment from my RFID system? (Q19)

Where can I learn more about RFID? (Q20)

16 Contact Us

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 Q: How do I know if RFID is right for my application?

Q1
A: There are several steps required to answer this question:
Define the Business Problem

Before considering RFID as a potential solution, a company

should first seek to understand its business problem. The
problem may be as simple as I cant find my items when I
need them; however, pinpointing the root of the problem and
considering all the various associated pain points is a critical
first step. A well-defined problem leads to a well-defined
solution, including any goals a company is looking to achieve.
Properly defined problems are easier to scope and solve, which
leads to saving time, money, and resources, and allows for
determining if RFID will be a necessary part of the solution (or
not).

Complete Internal RFID Testing (or hire an RFID expert to

complete a site survey)

All facilities are different, especially when considering the

environmental factors which play an important role in the
success of an RFID system. Through individual testing or
consulting with an RFID expert to conduct a site survey, each
potential read zone in a facility should be examined in order to
determine:

Which challenges exist that would never need to be

overcome if an RFID system were to be deployed?

Which specific types of readers, tags, and antennas

would be required in order to achieve a companys
goals?

Which process changes (if any) would be required in

order to ensure RFID tags can successfully be read?

Establish a Business Case (i.e. determine the cost of an RFID

solution and complete an ROI assessment)

After defining the business problem to be solved, setting related

goals, and thorough testing or site survey analysis, a company
should have enough information in order to estimate how
much a system should roughly cost. Whether borne internally

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 or purchased externally from a third party, estimated costs
should cover all necessary hardware, software, installation, and
support, as well as any ancillary services that may be required
to get a system up and running (e.g. running network and
power drops, installing bollards to protect equipment, etc.).
Special attention should be paid to initial system setup costs vs.
potential on-going costs (e.g. consumable RFID tags, annual
support) when calculating all costs for an ROI analysis.
From there, a company should complete an ROI assessment,
effectively weighing the costs of implementing a system vs.
the expected return on investment (assuming the given sys-
tem will achieve the predefined goals).

Determine Feasibility

There are two main reasons that RFID might not be suitable for
a specific application:
1. Application Feasibility from an environmental or
pure physics standpoint, it may not be possible to de-
ploy an RFID system that is able to capture RFID tags
reads with enough success to meet a companys goals.

2. Cost/ROI Feasibility RFID might work well for the

application, but the ROI isnt significant enough to
justify implementation of the technology.

Q: Is there a chance RFID won't work for me?

Q2
A: Yes, RFID is not the answer for every application. The
application itself must be feasible from an environmental
perspective as well as a cost perspective. For example, if there
are temperature or pressure extremes that could destroy RFID
tags, or if an RFID systems costs outweigh the value added, then
RFID shouldnt be implemented. Ideally, such aspects would
be determined during the business definition and scoping
process.

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 Q: How much will an RFID system cost?

Q3
A: Because RFID systems can differ greatly in size from one
handheld reader and a few tags to hundreds of readers and
antennas and thousands of tags, there isnt a particular cost (or
range of costs) that can be determined without some sort of
analysis. In order to get an estimate for a specific system, it is
important to consider both near-term and long-term costs.

There are two different classifications of costs for just about any
RFID system start-up (i.e. near-term) costs and recurring (i.e.
long-term) costs. Start-up costs can be defined as the amount
of money spent in order to get an RFID system up and running
and integrated with any other current systems. Recurring costs
are ongoing costs that are needed in order to keep a system
functional; these costs can recur weekly, monthly, or yearly.

Some examples of start-up costs might include:

RFID Hardware - Readers, antennas, cables, etc.

RFID Tags - Reusable tags for fixed assets or tags for

one-time purchase
Software - Custom development costs and/or initial
license cost

Services - Installation and testing/tuning

A few examples of recurring costs could include:

Support Contract - For additional support for a de-
fined period of time for the system

Software - Annual maintenance fees

Consumable Supplies - RFID tags (if they cant be

reused), printer ribbon, etc.

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 Q: Can I try RFID before investing in a full system?

Q4 A: Yes, RFID development kits and RFID tag sample packs are
an ideal way to test RFID and see if it will work well for a specific
application. Complete RFID solutions can be expensive, so
starting small and thoroughly testing is a best practice before
investing a lot of time or money.

Development kits include all the basic RFID equipment

needed in order to set-up and test an RFID system. Most
RFID development kits come with a reader, one or more
antennas, some sample tags, a sample program for reading,
encoding, and testing RFID tags, as well as access to the
readers SDK (i.e. software development kit documentation,
API access, and code samples).

RFID tag sample packs provide a cost-effective way to test

different RFID tags and find the ideal one for each application.
Testing multiple tag types and sizes is an important and
necessary task to ensure optimum performance from the RFID
system.

Q: What do I need for a full RFID system?

Q5 A: Most RFID systems consist of the same basic elements:

Readers - An RFID reader is the brain of the RFID
system and necessary for any system to function. Read-
ers, also called interrogators, are devices that transmit
and receive radio waves in order to communicate with
RFID tags.

Antennas - RFID Antennas are a necessary element

in any RFID system; however, they are dumb devic-
es which use power from the reader to generate an RF
field allowing the reader to transmit and receive signals
from the RFID tags.

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 Tags - An RFID tag, in its most simplistic form, is
comprised of two parts an antenna for transmitting
and receiving signals, and an RFID chip (or integrated
circuit) which stores the tags ID and other information.

Software - Software is essential to all RFID systems.

Software allows the reader to operate and communi-
cate with RFID tags, the data collected from tag reads
to shown, sent, stored, etc. so that users can make in-
formed decisions and take actions, or can trigger oth-
er systems to take preprogrammed actions. Ultimately,
software can be as simple or complex as required by the
application.

In addition to the basic elements, some systems may also re-

quire ancillary devices, such as stack lights, motion sensors,
and other GPIO devices. The total amount of hardware and
software required will ultimately depend upon the system re-
quirements.

Q: How do I choose my RFID hardware?

Q6 A: A large selection of RFID hardware is available and

specific types of RFID equipment are better suited for certain
environments; so, choosing the right hardware for any given
application can be a tedious process. In any situation, once a
selection is made, rigorous testing is key to ensure success.
Check out the resources below to aid in the selection process:

RFID Buyers Guide - The RFID Buyers Guide is a 24

question eBook designed to walk potential RFID users
through the buying process. Answering each question
helps to enable the buyers to make informed decisions
about their hardware needs.

How to Select a UHF RFID Reader - This blog post

provides potential RFID users with 3 important factors
to consider when selecting an RFID reader.

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 3 Guidelines for Choosing a Passive UHF RFID An-
tenna - This blog post provides potential RFID users
with 3 important factors to consider when selecting an
RFID antenna.

RFID Antenna Cables: Achieving the Highest Per-

formance Possible - All RFID systems use an antenna
cable to connect the reader and the antenna. This blog
post provides potential RFID users with important in-
formation on how to choose the best RFID antenna ca-
ble for their application.

Q: How do I choose RFID tags?

Q7
A: There are hundreds of passive RFID tags on the market, so
choosing the right tag (or set of tags) for any given application
can seem like a daunting task. Similar to choosing RFID
hardware, selecting the right RFID tag can be accomplished by
narrowing down options using certain criteria. Once a set of
tags is selected, thorough testing is necessary to ensure success.
Below are resources to assist in the tag selection process:

RFID Buyers Guide - The RFID Buyers Guide is a 24

question eBook designed to walk potential RFID users
through the buying process. Answering each question
helps to enable the buyers to make informed decisions
about their hardware needs.

3 Things to Know About UHF RFID Tags - This blog

post provides potential RFID users with 3 important
things to know about UHF RFID tags to aid in the selec-
tion process.

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 Q: Can I get RFID tags pre-printed and pre-encoded?

Q8 A: Yes, most RFID tags can be pre-printed and pre-encoded,

which saves a company time and money. Printing and encoding
RFID tags is a custom process and usually adds additional
lead time to an order. For more information on printing and
encoding RFID tags, please read the FAQs.

Q: What sort of software will I need for my RFID system?

Q9 A: Few off-the-shelf (OTS) software packages specifically

geared towards RFID solutions are available for purchase. As
the market matures, more OTS software options will become
available for various RFID applications. Until then, most
companies will likely need a software solution customized to
meet their needs.

Custom software can be as simple or complex as the company

desires. In many cases, it makes sense to start small with the
basic necessary functionality, while architecting the software
to accommodate for future expansion of all desired features
and functionality. As the RFID application matures, so can the
software. This crawl-walk-run methodology allows a company
time to become familiar with the ins and outs of its application
and better determine exactly what features and functionality
will be of most use.

Q: Can I setup an RFID system without software?

Q10 A: In short, no. Even on a small scale, software must be

incorporated in some fashion. For example, basic functions
such as reading and writing tags will require software; otherwise
the reader will not know which tags to write, or which tag reads
to report to the system.

Software can be as simple or as complex as needed. As part of

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 the initial project scoping process, defining software
requirements should be one of the top priorities. Depending
on requirements, some commercially available off-the-shelf
software (such as the Impinj Speedway Connect Software)
may be all that is needed. Other times, the project may require
custom software development to meet all specifications.

Q: Do I need a software engineer on staff?

Q11 A: Every company looking to implement RFID does not

necessarily need a software engineer on staff. If a company
has defined its business problem and successfully defined the
project scope (including software requirements), it can begin
to look into commercially available software options.

If requirements are not met by commercially available software,

utilizing a software engineer may be the next best step. Whether
allocating an existing internal resource or hiring an outside
resource, a company will need to employ a software engineer
(or engineers) to develop a custom software solution for its
RFID system.

Q: Who installs the RFID system?

Q12 A: If the purchasing company has a technical team with RFID

experience (or, at least, superior technical abilities with the time
and ability to learn about RFID), that team should be capable
of testing and installing an RFID system. Without sufficient
RFID experience or superior technical knowledge and ability,
there is a strong likelihood that an RFID system could be setup
incorrectly and not provide the desired results.

If a company isnt 100% confident in its ability to provide the

necessary RFID implementation team, then that company should
partner with an RFID professional (or team of professionals) in
order to ensure the RFID installation is a success.

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 Q: Is there a recommended way to set up RFID hardware
and get started?

Q13
A: Because every facility is different, there isnt a specific way
to set up an RFID system and guarantee that it will provide the
desired results. A best practice when setting up each and every
read zone is to spend time testing and tuning until:

a.) 100% (or near 100%) of RFID tags are read when they
should be read.

b.) Stray reads are avoided (i.e. unintended tag reads from
another area being captured in the zone being tested).

Defining the ideal read zone for any given application is

dependent upon many factors including reader settings,
antenna gain, and RFID tag selection. Learn more by reading
about the 6 factors that affect read range.

Because even small changes in an environment can have large

effects on an RFID system, there is no guarantee that a particular
zone (once tuned) can simply be replicated throughout a facility.
Ideally, the settings for a well-tuned read zone setup can act as
a starting point from which each additional read zone can be
tested and tuned.

In short, no there is no ideal recommended way to setup RFID

hardware. Each case is different and requires thorough testing.
Below are a few helpful tips when setting up an RFID system for
the first time.

Keep the RFID reader and antenna(s) as close as pos-

sible in order to reduce the length of antenna cabled
needed and, thus, cut down on cable loss.

When mounting RFID antennas, test different loca-

tions and antenna angles in order to get the best results.
Also, testing different types of antennas may be bene-
ficial.

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 During tag selection, do not simply settle for a tag
that works. Test different types in order to find the ideal
RFID tag (or tags) for your application.

Test different settings on the reader (e.g. transmit

power, search modes/sessions, etc.) in order to ensure
best results.

Q: How many read zones are needed and where will they be
located?

Q14 A: In short, an RFID read zone should be located at every point

it is necessary to gather data (i.e. every point where reading
RFID tags is required).

In some cases, a portal-type setup at a dock door to read items

going in and out may be the appropriate solution; in another,
a single handheld RFID reader may be the best fit in order to
scan items within an inventory closet. Moreover, installing
read zones at various stages of a manufacturing process allows
a user to know exactly where any given (tagged) item is on
the facility floor. Some companies may only be interested in
knowing if an item is in the facility. In these cases, read zones
would only be necessary at the facilitys entrances/exits.

Ultimately, the amount of read zones required and where those

zones should be located depends on the type of application as
well as the amount of data needed to achieve the desired results.

Q: There are items in my facility that contain liquids/met-

als; does that mean RFID will not work for me?

Q15
A: As with any RFID application, thorough testing is key. There
are certain methods and measures that can be put in place to
mitigate potential interference caused by metal and water (as
well as other interference causing elements).

If a company has limitations within the facility, environment, or

items being tagged, it should not discount RFID as the solution
entirely. Instead, limitations should be noted and thorough

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20 Questions & Answers
 testing should be executed in order to see if such obstacles can
be overcome using specific equipment or techniques. Each
type of item to be tagged will have different specifications that
should be noted when choosing the ideal tag. Some applications
might require the use of several different types of RFID tags in
order to get the best results.

Read more about multipath issues caused by metal and water

within facilities.

Q: What if I want to use RFID in my facility for more than

one application? Should I have separate RFID systems?

Q16
A: The answer ultimately depends on the business case at
hand. If it makes more sense (from a business perspective
data access, user access, etc.) for the systems to be combined,
then they should be combined. If the business case dictates that
the systems should be separate or standalone, then they should
be separate. The answer to whether a new RFID system should
be combined with an existing one or a separate standalone
system should be created, should be determined during the
business problem definition and scoping phase of the project.

Q: How long does a typical RFID system take to deploy?

Q17
A: The timeline for an RFID deployment can vary greatly
based upon the type and complexity of an RFID application. A
commercially available all-in-one RFID hardware and software
solution could potentially be purchased and deployed within
a few weeks. A custom RFID solution that addresses complex
business problems and requires much testing and custom
software development may take 6 to 12 months to fully deploy.

Below are the typical stages when deploying an RFID system:

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 Define the Business Problem
Establish the Business Case
o Project Scoping
Understand the potential and limitations of
RFID technology
Define the project objectives
o Analysis of the Existing System
Collect information
Information analysis
Develop a Project Road Map
System Design
o Requirement analysis
o Hardware/software selection
o Develop a new process
Proof of Concept
o Prototype Testing
Debug
System Adaptation
Pilot Implementation
Full Implementation
o System deployment
o Training
Continuous Improvement
o Monitoring
o Collect feedback from users

Q: How do I train my employees on RFID?

Q18
A: If a company decides to implement RFID within a facility,
key employees should be trained on the basics of RFID what
it is, how it works, key limitations, etc. In addition, one or two
persons should be designated as RFID experts and receive
more in-depth training on RFID, such as classes offered by 3rd
party companies.

The more employees are educated about RFID (and, in

particular, the actual system being deployed), the more effective
the system will be and a company should see fewer issues and
errors.

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 Q: When will I see a return on investment from my RFID
system?

Q19
A: The amount of time between purchasing an RFID system
and seeing a return on investment (ROI) will be different for
each company and application. Ideally, a company will have
already completed a feasibility analysis and ROI assessment
before deciding to install an RFID system.

Depending on the value the system provides, a company

may start seeing an ROI immediately. Full system payback
depends on the cost of the system as well as the rate of return
on investment; however, properly implemented RFID systems
tend to fully pay back within 1 to 3 years.

Q: Where can I learn more about RFID?

Q20
A: There are a few RFID books on the market that can be
purchased in order to gain a better understanding of how RFID
works. Additionally, there are multiple sources online dedicated
to helping customers learn more about RFID:

RFIDjournal.com - RFID Journal is a news website

covering companies and applications around the world
deploying RFID.

RFIDinsider Blog - A go-to blog on all things RFID,

specializing in news and knowledge for the beginner,
intermediate, and advanced RFID enthusiasts.

RFID Resources - An atlasRFIDstore webpage dedi-

cated to eBooks, customer profiles, and videos for en-
hancing RFID knowledge.

RFID Videos - atlasRFIDstores YouTube page con-

taining videos about how RFID works, RFID products,
and tutorials.

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20 Questions & Answers
Contact
The If you have any additional ques-
tions about if RFID is right for your
application, or about deploying
an RFID system, don't hesitate to

RFID
contact us.

Phone: 1.205.383.2244
Email: [email protected]

Experts
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