RFID and RTLS in Healthcare and Life Sciences [Infographic]

It's a common misconception that there's only one use case for RTLS and RFID in Healthcare: tracking hospital equipment across patient rooms.   We're seeing primary care providers, testing labs and pharmaceutical manufacturers implementing the technology for dozens of other use cases, within core operations and across the value chain.  The infographic below illustrates some of these applications.

Harsh Reality for RFID & RTLS -- It's About the ROI

Just presented at RFID Journal's RFID in Harsh Environments event on the evolving business case and ROI metrics for RFID.   The definition of "Harsh Environments" is quite broad, but it generally applies to extreme temperatures/operating conditions, remote worksites and hazardous or highly-regulated materials.   Harsh Environments span multiple industries including Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Aerospace & Defense, Healthcare and Industrial Equipment -- as shown below:

RFID Application Areas in Harsh Environments

Once we get past the definition of a harsh environment, it's important to look at the value drivers for RFID and RTLS (we support all Auto-ID modalities, so we use the terms interchangeably).   The industries listed above, by nature, have complex asset management challenges that are well suited to RFID automation.   We see three primary drivers for RFID adoption in harsh environments:

1. Cost Pressure -- where 100s of millions of dollars/euros/pounds of capital equipment impacts working capital allocation -- a reduction in redundant equipment or write-off/repair of non-working assets can have an impact on operating profit.
2. New Programs -- with new exploration projects, aircraft programs, infrastructure projects comes revenue opportunity -- and customer scrutiny.  Customers are increasingly demanding transparency for programs in progress - not just at critical milestones.  RFID visibility can help provide this transparency, leading to stronger partnerships and minimizing the risk of contract breach.
3. Operational Risk -- the only way to address compliance, audit and safety issues is to build error proofing into the process automation. 

Getting Started with RFID Tool Tracking

Managing Tools & Equipment Across a Manufacturing Facility

There's been quite a bit of confusion in the the market on what RFID tool tracking really does, what sorts of tools can be tracked, and how automating tool tracking processes with RFID really works (especially when it involves ERP, MMS or Service & Maintenance systems).

Tracking Indirect Materials in the Field

Last month, we ran two instructional sessions on how to get started with RFID Tool Tracking.  Topics covered included:

• Planning tips (based on tool/equipment type, operating environment, maintenance schedule, contractual requirements and usable life)
• Best practices (based on customer deployments in Industrial Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, Oil & Gas and Life Sciences) 
• Process automation examples and scenarios with adjacent processes, incl. Work-in-Process Tracking

We covered a lot of ground in 30 minutes!  Online registration for the video recording is at: 

http://www.oatsystems.com/RFID-Tool-Tracking-Webinar/

What's Driving RFID in Manufacturing Operations?

Today's manufacturers have a full plate of initiatives, from reshoring to sustainability, faster design-to-delivery cycles and greater work order transparency.  And their use of RFID is becoming more and more prevalent.  But the rationale behind RFID process automation has evolved over the years, from supplier mandates, to cost reductions, to performance improvement.  In a recent article in Manufacturing Business Technology, OAT Asset Tracking Senior Director, Chris Forgione, discusses five major trends that are driving the adoption of RFID and RTLS in Manufacturing:

1. Multi-facility Assembly  
2. Design-to-Delivery
3. Product Innovation
4. Customer-Facing Operations
5. Enterprise Asset Management

Many of these trends are gaining importance because they're not relegated to a corner of the manufacturing operation.  They are taking hold because, like working capital allocation, they have a direct impact on corporate performance and shareholder value.  

More details on the Manufacturing Business Technology site. 

RFID Tool Tracking Webinars Aug 15 & Aug 20

Whether it's indirect materials, production tooling or specialized equipment, our #1 request from customers is how to automate tool tracking with RFID.  

Our product management team is holding Tool Tracking webinars this month to discuss:

1. What RFID Tool Tracking does 
2. How companies use it in daily operations
3. How to map RFID automation to existing business processes

Information-packed, 30 minute webinars are being held at:

Thursday August 15 at 11:00 AM EST

Tuesday August 20 at 1:00 AM EST

Online registration is at : 

http://www.oatsystems.com/RFID-Tool-Tracking-Webinar/

Integrating RFID with SAP

RFID and sensor data is real-time, high volume and operational in nature. RFID technology is designed to inform and enrich systems and processes, not be an end in itself. To that end, most OAT deployments include enterprise systems integration of some kind.

Many of our customers are SAP customers as well, particularly in Manufacturing, Logistics, Aerospace and Defense.   Since an ERP system such as SAP serves as the system of record, informing these systems with RFID and RTLS can provide up-to-the minute updates for manufacturing, logistics and service operations.  

To simplify deployments, we've co-produced Manufacturing, A&D and Supply Chain webinars and deployment guides with SAP to illustrate OAT-SAP integration by specific functional area, use case and business process.  

RFID-enabled SAP in Manufacturing

RFID-enabled SAP in Aerospace & Defense

RFID-enabled SAP in the Supply Chain

Integrating RFID & RTLS Data with SAP Applications

Introducing the Airbus A350 - First RFID-enabled Aircraft

The Airbus A350 made its formal debut at the Paris Air Show this week.
It is the first aircraft to be RFID-enabled from the ground up, with approximately 3000 RFID-tagged component parts on each A350.
The RFID tags are designed to remain with the parts throughout their entire lifecycle in order to digitally store the full maintenance history - improving process automation and traceability for suppliers, airlines and MRO providers.

RFID Journal details the part marking announcement here. OATSystems has worked closely with Airbus since 2008 -- first to RFID-enable the A380 supply chain and then to roll out part marking programs for the Airbus A350.
More info on the Airbus A350 Part Marking Program, and supplier packages here.

How to Track Tools with RFID

OAT Systems Engineer Kapil Asher demonstrates how to track hand tools, tooling, specialized equipment and conveyances with RFID technology

From bearing pullers to digital calipers to composite tooling, jigs, right-to-use tools and FOD prevention, a flexible RFID tracking system has it covered.

Redefining Tool Tracking for Equipment and Indirect Materials

Tools = Tooling = Indirect Materials = Conveyances = Equipment

Every industry and every business function needs to track capital equipment, whether it's used for service, manufacturing or  distribution operations.

For service providers in Healthcare, Aviation, Utilities and Transportation, the cost of tracking equipment is not just related to the value of the asset, but how often it is needed. A missing wheelchair or infusion pump can compromise patient care. A missing towbar or test kit can result in flight delays. 
For manufacturers - particularly for those with complex processes , production equipment and tooling is highly-specialized, single-sourced and difficult to replace. Misplaced or out-of-spec equipment can derail a production schedule.
For logistics providers - conveyances and reusable transport items (RTIs) must be carefully managed - missing conveyances make for missed shipments.

On the OATSystems website we have separate sections for equipment tracking and tool tracking based on how indirect materials are defined in different industries.  

When building our "asset wall"  and asset tracking for RFID Journal Live this year, we used sample assets from healthcare, manufacturing, aviation and transportation.   In this case, we didn't need to define "tool tracking" in a thousand words - we had the pictures, (of surgical trays, medical supplies, infusion pumps, autoclaves, ventilators, conveyances, bearing pullers, digital calipers, roll cages, composite tooling...) instead.

Tips for RFID Tool Tracking Deployments

A few deployment tips we've learned from RFID Tool Tracking deployments:

Before you get started: 

1. Determine What Types of Tools Need to Be Tracked (hand tools, indirect materials, conveyances, right to use tooling)
2. Figure Out Exactly What You Need to Know About the Tool (beyond its location)
3. Know which Adjacent Processes are Impacted by Tool Tracking  (you may be able to gain additional efficiencies and/or secure additional budget for your project)
4. Understand Whether Tracking Data Needs to be Shared With Your Enterprise Systems (ERP, MRO, Program Mgt, MMS, etc).  You may be able to use some of your enterprise systems budget as part of your project.

More details, and a tool tracking planning guide

RFID in Manufacturing: New Trends, New Rules

This week, we participated in an RFID in Manufacturing Event with RFID Journal, to discuss 5 new trends driving the adoption of RFID in manufacturing operations:  

1. Multi-Facility Assembly
2. Design to Delivery
3. Product Innovation
4. Customer-facing Operations
5. Enterprise Asset Management

Manufacturing operations are getting more and more complex, and RFID is helping to automate critical processes -- so that manufacturers can continue to innovate, design and deliver.

The deployment guide accompanying the event outlines key process areas where RFID can make a difference in manufacturing efficiency, along with specific use cases, process flows and integration options. 

Defining Asset Tracking

There may be as many definitions for "RFID Asset Tracking" as there are RFID Asset Tracking deployments.  Assets vary by industry and business function and can range from medical devices in healthcare to composite materials in manufacturing, to transport vehicles in logistics to plant & equipment in industrial manufacturing.  Some of the most common examples are listed here:

Asset Tracking Examples by Industry and Function