Why do companies choose a mixed approach?
An accessible printed code may be sufficient for furniture and individual devices. Different conditions apply when many tagged objects need checking or a clear view of the label is difficult to obtain.
Selected groups can then use RFID while existing labels remain where they work well. The decision follows the way people work, rather than a need to replace everything at once.
What connects the different reads?
Shared asset records and linked identifiers. A printed code and a tag can refer to the same item if the solution recognises that relationship.
Comparable results matter too. The number of reads collected from several devices should not be confused with the number of individual assets confirmed during the count.
Develop the approach around actual needs
A mixed approach allows gradual expansion. A company can test a new method on a selected category while retaining useful existing labels. Consistent information about the asset remains essential, whichever device identifies it.
For IT teams, this means testing the mapping of both identifiers before the inventory starts. The trial should include one item read by both methods, to ensure it does not appear as two separate assets in the result.
