Not being much of a DIY person, my tool-related issues are limited to remembering where I left my one and only screwdriver before taking on a new flat-pack challenge.
But apparently some professional builders aren’t that much better organised than I am – with lost, misplaced or stolen tools costing the American construction industry up to a whopping $1 BILLION a year.
Simple barcode scanners have been used to help keep an eye on tools and have proved effective, easy to use and inexpensive. However, for higher ticket items and complicated tracking software, RFID (radio frequency identification) is increasingly providing an answer.
RFID comes with a few specific advantages:
- RFID tags can be read even when they’re inside a case or embedded inside the tool, whereas bar codes must be visible to be detected.
- RFID tags can be read from further away
- RFID tags are difficult to remove, providing a theft deterrent
They can also store much more complicated data – and when combined with relevant software, RFID tags can help locate lost tools, determine who used them last and on what project and even let you know when tools are scheduled for servicing.
This data also gives managers detailed information about how contruction resources are being utilised – helping them to make better decisions.
More: RFID – A Construction Technology Dream Come True
Example / image: Toolwatch
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