Choosing Systems Integrators

Filed in archive Implementation on June 5, 2004

Mark Roberti, the Founder and Editor of RFID Journal, has an interesting opinion piece suggesting that company executives need to educate themselves about RFID. and not simply expect to rely on a systems integrator consulting firm.

It would be a mistake, he says, to assume that your company can hire a systems integrator and wash your hands of the details. He claims:

"...there isn't a single systems integrator on earth that has done a large-scale, enterprise-wide RFID Implementation that is linked into the systems of a supply chain partner. And there are only a few integrators that specialize in RFID systems. These integrators have done mainly small-scale projects. That's doesn't mean that there is no one out there capable of doing a successful large-scale implementation. But it does mean that finding one that can do it isn't a no brainer."

He suggests that companies invest in developing internal knowledge of RFID tags and readers. Companies should also understand EPC network systems. That way they can intelligently choose a systems integrator and oversee the implementation of RFID.