RFID For the Rest of Us.
Beyond the headlines, millions of businesses are still asking: will RFID work for us?
We all see the amplified reports of cutting‑edge RFID use. Retail and logistics are full of breakthroughs.
But outside that bubble, the vantage point is very different.
In daily conversations with operations managers, plant supervisors, and business owners, the first question is always: “Will RFID work for us?” Millions of small and mid‑sized companies are still weighing their first step. That’s the silent majority.
There are over 33 million businesses in the U.S. today.
Take away the Fortune 1000, and you’re left with millions fighting to compete with industry giants.
Like many of you, I face this challenge every day. Competing successfully means being smarter, faster, more responsive, more efficient.
And now that industry leaders are becoming even more efficient using RFID, it’s time for small and mid‑sized companies to do the same. You’re not behind the curve. You’re in the perfect position to advance.
Why now? Because the major players have already paved the way.
They’ve spent years working through the hard parts: RF interference, tag durability, integration headaches, compliance standards.
I know this because I’ve helped some of them. And in doing so, they’ve created a path that’s far more accessible to the rest of us.
It’s not the first time this has happened, though usually the other way around:
Small companies invented the barcode. Large companies scaled it.
Small teams pioneered cloud computing. Enterprises normalized it.
Startups built the first mobile apps. Corporations turned them into platforms.
With RFID, the large adopters have done the homework for us:
Compliance and standards: largely established
Hardware: cheaper and more reliable than ever
Tags: durable, readable, and affordable
Software: user‑friendly, often no coding required
Integration: most major ERP/WMS/CMMS systems already support it
Does this mean RFID is suddenly “push‑button easy”?
Not quite, but it is becoming easier.
We’re working to make it practical, accessible, and fast for everyday use.
For example, our latest handheld scanner ships with a free, browser‑based tracking app. Any smartphone can connect instantly. No downloads, no installs. Just pair your phone and scanner via Bluetooth, open the URL, and you’re ready to 1) read tags in real time, 2) save data directly from your phone, 3) export results within minutes.
The level of RFID engagement is completely up to the buyer. They can self-host and integrate on their own infrastructure for free, with commercial support available if needed. Run cloud-based for free with basic real-time tag reading, or upgrade affordably for full product or asset location history and API integrations.
Because every operation has unique workflows, the right guidance can help you sidestep costly missteps. Partner with an RFID expert who can meet you exactly where you are in the process.
If you’re running a manufacturing line, a warehouse, a healthcare facility, a distributorship, or food and pharma processing, the RFID barriers are lower than ever. And the payoff is real.
For the rest of us.
About the Author: Tim Buckley, 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.
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RFID Ready brings together hardware, software, and seasoned experts to make RFID work for you. From manufacturing to healthcare, government to supply chain, we help you unlock RFID’s potential with clarity and confidence. Smarter starts, better outcomes. That’s the RFID Ready difference.