Asset Tagging

RFID asset tagging is not as simple as placing tags on assets. Underlying the process is a wide array of activities encompassing RFID infrastructure planning and testing, selecting appropriate tag materials and antennae designs for different applications, determining label printing and design, and working with label manufacturers to configure and supply tags. There are dozens of different label design with varying characteristics that require specialized knowledge to determine the appropriate tag design and material for different applications.

Environmental issues such as heat, chemical washes, metal enclosures and moisture dictate the physical composition of tag materials independent of their desired radio frequency characteristics.

While Lockwood works with both active RFID tags (that transmit radio signals and require their own power source) by far the majority of RFID tags used in asset management are passive and require an external reader and antennae to excite the tags to remit a unique radio signal. While active tags have the advantage of being able to transmit long distances, they typically have a large form factor, are expensive and fail if their batteries run down. Passive tags, on the other hand, are inexpensive, reliable and easy to manage in applications such as doorway, gate and hallway monitoring. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) passive tag read distances are generally adequate for asset management and inventory verification activities.

Passive tags generally fall into one of two categories - high frequency (HF) and ultra-high frequency (UHF). HF tags function in the 13.5 MHz range and have the advantage of being able to store more data than UHF tags. However they can only be read over short distances of an inch or two. Their application is usually confined to wristband and ID card applications. UHF tags operate in the 900 MHz range, and while they hold less data than HF tags, are more useful in asset management since the tag data can be read from several feet away.

While many manufacturers have produced proprietary tags, Lockwood only handles Electronic Product Code (EPC) compliant tags. EPC standards are established by EPCGlobal, the universally acknowledged non-profit standards board. In particular, Lockwood works with tags that conform to:

  • Barcoding protocols 128 and 39
  • UHF passive Gen 2

General considerations in selecting tag types include the following physical label specifications:

  • Type of composition (paper, plastic, aluminum, ceramic, etc.)
  • Thresholds of size and adhesion
  • Technology
    • Barcode
      • Symbology
    • RFID
      • Radio frequency (passive or active)
      • Protocol (e.g. Gen 0, Gen 2,)
      • Read characteristics - antennae structure (dual dipole, squiggle, etc.)
      • Method of attachment (adhesive, tether, etc)
  • Presentation of information and formats
    • Data fields
    • Human readable
    • RFID chip encoding

Lockwood has subject matter expertise in:

  • Assisting with decisions regarding the choice of appropriate tags for various applications
  • Recommending labels appropriate to different classes of assets such as furniture or IT assets
  • Managing the design, sourcing, certification and supply of labels
  • Working with asset counting, verification and tagging companies to ensure the full integration of automated tag data collection with back-end data management programs.