Tracking Infrastructure

Sometimes the notion of implementing an RFID tracking system can seem more difficult than it really is. Naturally, anything new and different looms much larger in the mind than in practice. Transitioning from paper to digital records is no exception. We've drawn on our collective experience in helping customers implement the Idencia concrete tracking system to offer tips gleaned from best practices we have seen and encouraged.

If you are not familiar with the term 'reality capture' you are probably not alone. Now is a good time to become so, however, because this will be the core of 'smart infrastructure'. You are probably thinking: "Sure, some day, maybe."                  (Graphic courtesy of National Geospacial Advisory Committee)

Our guess is that precast manufacturers will need to offer some form of reality capture with every infrastructure product they sell in 5 years or less.  

Customers tell us that the biggest headache in managing precast operations is in dealing with inventory. They subscribe to our RFID product tracking service because they want a more efficient way to do this. Though their enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems automate management of most other business functions, they do not offer the complete inventory tracking solutions that precasters need. How nice would it be to automate this as well? 

Infrastructure product manufacturers face two pressing challenges today: tight margins and hiring/retaining high-performance people. Fortunately, there is a business practice called OKRs that addresses both of these. Originally introduced in the 1970s by Intel's Andy Grove, OKRs are now standard in virtually every company that has dominated its industry: Google, Amazon, Oracle and Microsoft to name a few. But, OKRs are not just a passing fancy for glitzy tech firms. They are also applied by stalwarts like GE, Anheuser-Busch and the Navy. Early adopters in manufacturing have an opportunity to become industry leaders that provide an environment for growing profits and attracting/retaining the best people.