Implementation Issues

Prior to approaching system providers, the key is to do your research. Check out case studies, reports of implementations. There are several recent ones in North America, and the list is growing every day.

The providers are looking to sell. If the provider sells read/write tags, they say that it is the only way to go. If they sell read only, then it is the required form. Any report older than two years is not accurate as the technology is changing so fast. The benefits of each style are listed in non-sales reports and journals so a considered pro and con list for each style can be established prior to making contact with vendors.

The privacy page lists some links that will assist organizations in developing a privacy policy. This policy, once developed, should be used to guide negotiations with service providers to ensure that the privacy issues are dealt with at every step of implementation so that no holes are missed.

RFID opens a range of possibilities including smart cards, automated check in, sorting and automated loading of material onto book trucks. To see some of these systems in action visit the Libramation website. These systems require additional planning and financing to implement but vastly increase the productivity improvements of RFID systems.

For a way to calculate return on investment, read the article An ROI Laundry List in the Net Connect Fall 2004 supplement to the Library Journal, Vol 129 No. 17, October 15, 2004 [6]

The same supplement includes a list of questions to ask of libraries that have already implemented RFID and an additional list of questions to ask a potential vendor.