When it comes to the business case for RFID , the link between reduction in wasted hours and cost savings is well understood , but there is potentially an even bigger benefit of using RFID — the reduction in human error and bad data . “ Your systems are only as good at the data that you put into them … and if you have people hand-writing information and giving it to others by any manual electronic means , the data won ’ t be good ,” says Gary Moe , president and founder , ID Integration . The cost of bad data can be extremely expensive . To demonstrate this , ID Integration refers to the 1-10-100 principle , based on the theory of efficiency developed in 1992 by George Labovitz and Yu Sang Chang . In short , the cost of correcting bad data can cost ten times the prevention cost , whilst the cost of failing to notice and correct bad data can be 100 times the prevention cost . When you consider the costs of overhauling your data verification systems and the loss of valuable contracts , it is easy to see how this correlation can be made .
If you are not yet convinced enough of the benefit of implementing RFID , consider that in the future it may well become a requirement . Recognizing the many benefits to improving operations and reducing costs , several OEMs and the Department of Defense are introducing requirements that will drive suppliers to implement RFID — this will no doubt be cascaded through the supply chain .
ID Integration : A Gem of the Pacific Northwest
With over 20 years of experience , ID Integration has long recognized the benefits of RFID in aerospace . Early successes included their introduction of the two-dimensional data matrix barcode for tool tracking to Boeing in the ‘ 90s and they have evolved to become an RFID systems integrator . Using their knowledge and shop floor experience they fully embed themselves in driving their customers ’ success by providing a full turnkey solution , from developing the business case and ROI to installation , training , pilots , plus integration and testing with their customers ’ ERP software . Moe advises , “ Successful RFID integration involves much more than simply providing hardware … to truly reap the benefits you must understand the system pain points and consider how processes and training should be adapted to empower the teams that interface with the system and the data .”
This approach has led to immense success at ID Integration , with a long-term customer list that has expanded to include the U . S . Army and U . S . Navy , GE Aircraft Engines , Honeywell Aerospace , Northrop Grumman , Lockheed Martin and many more . However , the team sees significant opportunity in the Pacific Northwest and has a strong desire to work with local companies . “‘ Being co-located a short drive from customers can only deepen the collaboration and relationships that ID Integration prides itself on ,” says Moe , whose team actively participates in the community to foster this opportunity through the PNAA and PNDC . Each year they exhibit at the February Annual Aerospace Conference hosted by the Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance . This has generated multiple orders for ID Integration and the 2018 conference has led to several successful leads that are now working to deploy the technology through the Pacific Northwest in 2018 .
A Final Word
RFID technology is set to become a key part of aerospace manufacturing . The operational benefits , cost reduction possibilities and opportunity for more collaboration within and between companies by utilizing the technology are considerable . Fortunately there is a significant amount of local expertise on hand for Pacific Northwest suppliers to ensure successful integration across our local supply chain .
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