Meeting the Needs of Small and Midsized Suppliers

By Steve Keifer

Designing the Ideal SMB RFID Solution
The ideal SMB RFID solution must avoid many of the usual pitfalls technology vendors struggle with in designing technology for SMBs. RFID solutions for small and midsize businesses ideally will offer flexible pricing and packaging and an end-to-end service model, and be able to fit in with an SMB's existing business processes.

Flexible Pricing and Packaging
Many technology vendors design a one-size-fits-all solution for SMBs. However, SMBs can range from home offices with two to three employees to upper mid-market companies with a staff of 999. RFID solutions for SMBs must include a range of prices and deployment options to appeal to different budget constraints and levels of technical expertise. Highly staffed and funded SMB IT organizations may prefer to license and manage software behind the firewall. Organizations with limited IT resources and expertise may prefer a hosted, on-demand service, while others may opt for a completely outsourced solution from third-party logistics providers.

End-to-End Service Model
Many technology vendors assume the key to success in the SMB market is inexpensive pricing. While this is a key factor, SMBs are equally concerned about the ease of use, the management effort required and the availability of technical support. Solution providers for SMBs should deliver an end-to-end service offering in addition to the relevant printers, scanners, middleware and label-generation software. Following the sale, solution providers will need to provide device installation and configuration; end-user documentation and training; and retailer testing and certification. Post-implementation services should include both on-site and remote technical support, emergency hardware break-fix and regular technology upgrade or refresh.

Fit with Existing Business Processes
The ability to integrate RFID and B2B e-commerce technologies directly with lighter ERP applications popular among SMBs such as Intuit Quickbooks and Microsoft Dynamics will greatly simplify adoption. Consequently, minimal changes to business processes would be required, as RFID-enabled supply chain activities can be managed in the existing application. Minimal training would be needed for end-users already accustomed to working with the software.