Glen Sanderson asked "Have any of your storage vendors started using RFID barcodes?"

The storage vendors with whom I have spoken explained there is, from their perspective, NO value in using RFID technology for storage management, as opposed to shipping.

As explained by these vendors, the existing system of bar codes connects a unique bar-coded box number to a unique bar-coded shelf location in the storage facility. 

Using RFID technology, and assuming the same degree of location accuracy is desired (unique shelf), each box would have to have an RFID tag (expensive, but possible) and WOULD REQUIRE EACH SHELF TO HAVE A SENSOR--outrageously expensive and not practical.

So far, quite clear.

OTOH, when considering the SHIPMENT of boxes of records to and from a storage facility, using RFID technology to track the shipment as whole--and POSSIBLY each box in the shipment--seems more logical from an operational perspective.

For palletized shipments, each pallet in a shipment would get an RFID tag. RFID sensors could be mounted on each truck and on each loading dock in a storage facility to monitor the arrival and/or departure of the pallet.

For smaller shipments, in which boxes might not be palletised, each box could have an RFID tag as well as a bar coded box number (RFID tags normally use a unique ID number issued by their manufacturer). As described above, RFID sensors could be mounted on each truck and on each loading dock in a storage facility to monitor the arrival and/or departure of the boxes.

Once inside the facility, the bar-coded box number would be used to connect each box to a unique bar-coded shelf location. 

Presumably a hybrid system could be developed, in which the RFID tag on the box could be connected to the bar-coded shelf number, thus obviating the need for a bar-coded box number label in addition to the RFID box tag (the shelf location would still be bar-coded).

Either way, some problems might develop if the two numbering systems were not correctly matched at all points of the tracking systems.

In the end, I suspect it's really a matter of deciding whether such a change makes sense economically, for both the storage vendor and its customers. (who will pay for it)

Best regards,

Fred
-----------------------------------------------------------
Frederic J. Grevin, Vice-President
Records Management Department
New York City Economic Development Corporation • www.nycedc.com
[log in to unmask] • w. 212.312.3903 • mobile 917.510.3016 • f. 212.618.5722

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