Let’s Simplify the RFID Conversation.
Most companies already have what they need to start using RFID.
I’m old enough to remember when getting cable TV meant scheduling an appointment, waiting for a technician to show up sometime between 8 a.m. and “maybe never,” and watching them drill holes in your wall while muttering things about coaxial splitters and signal strength. The whole process felt like wizardry.
Fast forward to today. You can install your own Wi-Fi, configure a smart thermostat, set up a home security system, and stream content from five different platforms before lunch. Technology has become intuitive, accessible, and DIY-friendly.
So why does RFID adoption often seem more mysterious than it really is?
Here it is, simply put. You read a tag, the tag ID timestamp and location go to a database in real-time, and from there you automate notifications, compliance, and reporting. That’s the foundation.
Of course, RFID can do much more. And yes, it still takes commitment, effort, and some finesse. But the “technician required” era is over.
The myth that RFID demands enterprise software, a super-expensive team of RF engineers, or multi-year contracts is just that - a myth.
Today, most companies already have what they need: a Wi-Fi network, a database (even a spreadsheet counts), and a few operational pain points RFID can solve in weeks, not years.
If you’re wondering whether your ERP, WMS, or CMMS can handle RFID data ingestion, the short answer is: Probably yes. SAP, Oracle, Microsoft, IBM, Epicor, and most others now support seamless integration. Even homegrown systems often allow it.
Real-World Examples
A Latin American company importing flowers into the U.S. needed a solution for shipping and receiving compliance, and fast. With just eight weeks before Mother’s Day, they added RFID tags beneath their barcodes and used handheld readers to capture large volumes of tags quickly. By establishing a handful of basic data collection points, they solved their compliance reporting challenge within that tight window.
Another Example
A manufacturer had no visibility into a critical component used in processing. Due to the lack of the component visibility, including where it came from and how long it had been in stock, there was no real quality control. By tagging the items and collecting time/date stamps with location, they created a real-time log of each item throughout production.
The simplicity and speed of deployment was found here - using only four data collection points: 1) when the goods were tendered (capturing origin and vendor), 2) the put-away (where and when), 3) the pick (when selected for use and where it was going), and 4) when and where it was placed into production. This data gave them close to 100% visibility leading up to and throughout processing to provide the proper quality control.
Further, that collected data now supports not only production and quality control but also provides downstream supply chain insights across the product’s lifecycle.
RFID doesn’t have to solve everything at once.
In fact, most successful RFID efforts begin by tackling a single, specific challenge, whether it is for shipping validation using ASNs, first-expire-first-out (FEFO), faster inventory turns, or simple proof of delivery. Track any significant event in your workflow or supply chain. From there, the solution often grows organically, unlocking more value over time.
I’ve seen manufacturers, regional hospitals, data centers, pharma and food processors, warehouses, and even local government agencies go from “we’re not sure” to “we can’t imagine working without it”, sometimes in just a few months.
And yes, we’ve heard this before: “We tried RFID - and it didn’t work.” That’s a fair concern.
I’m not trying to oversell the ease of implementation. But we do encourage those companies to take another look. Because today’s RFID isn’t what it used to be.
Fast-forward to now: no coding required. Just plug-and-play readers, smart tags, and a clear use case.
RFID is no longer a future technology. It’s a present-day advantage, and it deserves a fresh conversation.
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About the Author: Tim Buckley, RFID enthusiast and EVP at RFID Ready. Views shared here are my own, shaped by 20 years of hands‑on RFID work. Curious how RFID could fit into your workflow? Let’s talk. www.rfidready.net