Integration: Begin defining the level of integration you require with your current POS or Inventory Management software and make sure that the system you are considering fulfills that level of integration. If integration is not required you can go for a stand-alone system. Loose integration will allow the systems to exchange data either manually, automatically or both. Full integration means the systems share predetermined data automatically so there is no user intervention. Because RFID technology is rapidly evolving, it is advised to work with a system that is compatible with as many software platforms as possible and one that that is not limited to specific RFID tags and readers. The solution provider should also be able to introduce new solutions seamlessly.
RFID Readers & Tags: Make sure the tags and readers that come with the system have been tested in a jewelry environment. A jewelry environment is very diverse and all logistics must be considered including: diamond envelopes, ring trays, bags of items, stockroom, showcases, watches, vault, and job envelopes.
Different RFID readers meet different needs. Wireless readers provide the most mobility and generally offer an option for offline scanning. A wired or USB scanner is ideal for fixed location scanning, and are usually less expensive. High Volume readers are typically larger, but can scan a high quantity of tags simultaneously. Finally, Display Pad readers are utilized at the showcase to measure inventory performance and sales patterns. Watch for reader’s range, as extra powerful readers tend to read items outside of the desired range, whereas a weak reader can miss items when scanning.
Just like one reader does not necessarily fit all environments, the same applies to RFID tags. The three most common tags are 1) tamper evident, when security is important, 2) label tags which fit within standard barcode labels for jewelry, and printable tags that combine barcode and RFID (some may requires a special RFID/barcode printer).
Return on Investment: the value of adding RFID Tracking to your business varies a great deal from one environment to another. Some adopt it for labor savings, others for better inventory control and shrink reduction and most want to gather data on inventory movement to measure and improve item and sales performance. When looking at return-on-investment, consider cost versus short and long term returns and whether it meets your budget. It is recommended to deploy into a few jewelry cases first (or a single store in a multi-store situation). Gage the impact of that deployment over the first few weeks and see its impact on labor spent to control inventory, shrink and usefulness of the data you are gathering. A small deployment will also enable you to ensure that software and hardware meets your needs before doing a company-wide deployment.
