We are a provider of IT assets, and are often asked for an asset-tracking solution. In our research, it seems passive RFID solutions require you to find the best tag for a specific asset, but the provider usually makes tags and nothing else. As result, we have to research the right reader and software as well. This is different from active systems, in which vendors often provide a complete package. In researching software for passive RFID asset-tracking solutions, we’ve found they are too advanced, complex and expensive for our customers who are just planning to use it for asset tracking and inventorying. Do you have any advice?
—Frustrated in California
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Dear Frustrated,
It is one of the weaknesses of our industry that we have not built simple solutions for specific applications. Most of the applications of which I’m aware are generic and fairly complex. They attempt to do a lot in an effort to cover a broad swath of the market, rather than performing a simple task well. I think there is a real market opportunity to create something simple and easy to deploy for asset tracking. Someone might already have a simple asset-tracking solution. If you do, please post information below so that Frustrated will be frustrated no more.
—Mark Roberti, Editor, RFID Journal