The sheer volume of assets in a supply chain-many of which are reusable-is just the tip of the asset management challenge. So often timing is critical, as when a pipeline company ships components from multiple countries to a major project, with each shipment taking weeks or even months. If a crucial component misses the ship and that fact isn't discovered until unloading, then the entire project might slip weeks or months.

RFID assists in determining the location of valuable assets and the transit timing and condition, providing continual timely, actionable information. Enterprises in manufacturing, agriculture, retail, construction, equipment and fleet rentals, defense, aviation, fulfillment and more can all benefit from this ability to track, trace and know in real time.

Success Drivers
For automated asset tracking via RFID to be effective, the technology platform needs to provide for extended range, sensor capabilities, and memory. Often, access is limited to the objects being tracked. And frequently, the ability to monitor for shock, vibration and tampering is key. Tag memory is important in order to store sensor data as well as individual asset information.

All this points to the use of Battery Assisted Passive (BAP) RFID. Alien Technology offers long range, low power RFID systems based on BAP technology. Our BAP tags and readers extend the range over which an asset can be identified to up to 30 meters. Alien BAP tags support inputs from sensors for temperature, humidity, shock, vibration and tampering.

Just as important, Alien provides both expertise and experience in the application of BAP RFID technology. This includes offering educational and professional services starting with BAP technical consulting and site surveys and extending to project management.