Sponsored by
Bosses need to catch up on new-tech tool of tag
COMPANY directors in Yorkshire still have little or no understanding of the benefits of Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID), according to a study.
The revolutionary technology, which allows large amounts of product data to be held on a small tag, has already helped a growing number of organisations to improve service levels, stock availability, shrinkage and other related costs.
Unlike barcodes, RFID tags do not have to be in direct line of sight with a radio frequency reader. This means that large groups of tags can be read without opening pallets or individual containers.
The tags are also capable of storing information on environmental conditions and at what point quality/safety levels have been compromised during transport.
But the study by professional services company Deloitte, which is based on data from a series of RFID seminars across the region, shows that 80 per cent of respondents are not aware of whether the benefits of RFID outweigh the costs of implementation.
Similarly, 80 per cent had little or no knowledge of RFID International Standards, and a further 90 per cent were unclear about regulations governing the technology's use despite being at various stages of implementation.
Amazed
"We are quite amazed at the lack of knowledge for this innovative technology," said Tarlok Teji, a partner with Deloitte in Leeds and head of the firm's consumer business industry group.
"We also found that many RFID projects suffer delays or even fail because they are conducted as pilots in isolation without a proper project plan or business case.
"These projects are also conducted on advice from technology vendors rather than people who understand it's not about the technology; it's about the information needs of the business and how to harness that for competitive advantage."
Mr Teji said that Yorkshire companies were well placed to discover more about RFID and its potential advantages following the creation of a RFID national centre of excellence in Halifax last year.
The centre, which is to be funded by Leeds-based regional development agency Yorkshire Forward, will act as a national co-ordinating centre for other specialist RFID technology centres nationwide.
Although the technology is primarily used in the retail, manufacturing and logistics sectors, it has a wide number of applications including patient record tagging and even patient trace ability, said Mr Teji.
However as recent food scandals had shown, RFID could help companies to meet new regulatory obligations in food traceability and waste management.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Sunday 12 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 4 C to 8 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: West
