When are barcodes or QR codes sufficient?
Barcodes work well when accessible labels are read individually with a compatible scanner. QR codes can also be read with a phone camera if the software supports that workflow. In both cases, the label needs to be visible and readable enough for the device to recognise it.
In an office, where a team member checks individual monitors or printers, this may suit the work well. Label durability and placement matter: a code hidden behind a heavy cabinet takes time to reach regardless of the application used.
What does RFID change?
RFID uses radio waves. A suitable UHF solution can read multiple tags without aiming the reader at each label separately. This can help with larger asset populations, but it does not automatically confirm every item in a room.
Reading range and completeness depend on the tags, reader and surroundings. Metal calls for appropriately designed tags, while liquids can reduce performance. An operations manager also needs to know whether the reader is picking up tags from a neighbouring area outside the scope of that count.
The cost goes beyond labels
A comparison should include readers, label preparation and replacement, and staff time. A cheap label does not necessarily produce the lowest overall cost if finding it requires moving equipment. An expensive reader will not resolve outdated asset records, either.
For finance teams, comparing preparation costs with scanning and investigation time is useful. It allows methods to be assessed against the same assets rather than relying solely on claimed scanning speeds.
A trial reveals more than a catalogue
A useful test includes accessible equipment, closely packed items and assets near metal surfaces. Read results can then be compared with the actual item list, rather than just the number of detected tags.
Different asset categories can use different methods. What matters is an unambiguous connection to the register and support for the chosen labels in the tools being used. The technology can then support the company's workflow and remain understandable to the people reconciling the result.
