Managing Assets with RFID

For most people, RFID (radio frequency identification) is most readily recognizable as the tiny tags placed in or on an item that helps determine its location.  Examples of widespread RFID usage include automated toll road payment systems, ID cards, passports and retail functions.  The technology evolved out of retail store security methods and  technologies such as bar coding, which was initially geared toward inventory management.  Over the past several years, the popularity of RFID has grown immensely, enabling real-time tracking, which enhances accountability and reduces asset loss.

RFID has been making waves for over a decade as corporate organizations sought to leverage unprecedented ease and accuracy of goods tracking to drive down costs and improve product availability.  The technology is still advancing in this arena, especially with the continued decrease in pricing for the individual RFID tags.  The technology has been strongly embraced by other entities, as well, including libraries, museums, and higher education institutions to track assets ranging from computers to vehicles and infrastructure.

With increased focus on organizations across both public and private sectors to improve asset accountability and traceability, the time is optimal for school districts and other public entities to also consider the benefits of RFID.  Through the implementation of unified fixed asset management programs and accompanying asset tracking technologies, such as RFID, school districts and other public entities have found a proven method of managing their assets, while also reducing staff requirements, increasing accountability to school boards and government oversight, and saving money on insurance premiums by not insuring ghost assets.