However, the FIR has also established gaps in the knowledge of decision-makers. Many companies exhibit considerable information deficits with regard to the many uses of the system. In addition, practitioners find it hard to gain an overall view of the large number of publications when it comes to evaluating properly both the actual usefulness and the opportunities and risks of RFID utilisation in their enterprise.
Therefore, Rhensius and Deindl have presented a handy study for those who deal with RFID utilisation in a professional field. This handbook, published in the series “FIR Edition Studies”, offers an instant and comprehensive overview of the status quo of RFID utilisation which makes it easier to assess its economic efficiency.
For this “Meta Study RFID”, more than 140 case studies and applications were reviewed as well as structured and analysed using a reference model. The usefulness of and obstacles to RFID application are summarised clearly and solidly on the basis of detailed descriptions of applications and a great many additional sources, such as journal articles and specialist contributions. Furthermore, the meta study analyses more than 20 empirical studies and provides information about the shape and future developments of RFID technology, preferred areas of application, the technology used as well as acceptance and security.
According to Rhensius and Deindl, the analysis of the status quo also shows that a methodical approach is essential for the planning and assessment of RFID projects. For this reason, the FIR has developed an approach for Business Case Calculation within the framework of a project sponsored by the industrial research foundation ‘Stiftung Industrieforschung’. The project is called: “Assessment of RFID utilisation with the help of a cost-benefit-evaluation of RFID systems for small and medium-sized businesses (RFID-EAs)”. The approach developed as part of the project covers technical as well as business management aspects and will be presented in a separate volume of the series “FIR-Edition Research” to be published beginning of 2009.
For more information about the “Meta Study RFID”, visit http://www.fir.rwth-aachen.de/...
The book can also be ordered online.
Rhensius, Tobias; Deindl, Matthias: Metastudie RFID: Eine umfassende Analyse von Anwendungen, Nutzen und Hindernissen der RFID-Implementierung. FIR-Edition Studien, Bd. 1. Hrsg. Günther Schuh; Volker Stich. Aachen: Forschungsinstitut für Rationalisierung, 2008. ISBN: 978-3-934318-65-6. 25 Euro