Emerging wireless and related technologies laying the foundations for future widespread adoption

1
Emerging wireless and related technologies
laying the foundations for future widespread
adoption

• Karim Esmail
• BRE, Director of Technology
• Water UK, 13 May 2004

2
Agenda

• BRE
• What is Wireless RFID
• Advantages / Disadvantages
• Industrial Examples
• Potential for the Water Industry
• Suggestions for Way Forward

3
Who are we ?

• BRE is a world leading centre of expertise on
  built environment.
• - building and construction
• - prevention and control of fire
• - environment (including water)
• - energy
• - products and environmental
• certification

• BRE Scotland

• BRE Teesside

• BRE Cardington

• BRE Garston

• About 680 staff
• Over 360 consultants, many of whom are
  international experts
• 400 Associates

BRE is a commercial organisation, wholly owned by
the Foundation of Built Environment (FBE), which
is a charitable trust
4
What is RFID

• RFID Radio Frequency Identification Device
• Radio Barcode
• Radio Tags
• Types of Tags
• Active Tags
• Passive Tags
• Barcode
• Non-Interactive

5
Basic Components of RFID

• RFID Tag
  
  Corporate Asset /
  
• 
  
  Database
• Asset
  Register/
• Data
  Base
• Tag Reader
• Office PCs

Wireless Transmission/ ReceiveSignal
Internet TCP/IP
RFID Transmission/ Receive Signal
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RFID groups

• Frequency Band Characteristics Typical
  Applications

Low (100-500 kHz) Intermediate (10-15
MHz) High (850-950 MHz 2.4-5.8 GHz)
Short to medium read range Inexpensive low
reading speed Short to medium read range potentia
lly inexpensive medium reading speed Long read
range High reading speed Line of sight required
Inventory Management Asset Tracking Process
Tracking Health and Safety Audits Access
control Smart cards Expensive Railroad car
monitoring Toll collection systems
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Technical Advantages / Disadvantages of RFID

• Advantages
• RFID obviates the need for contact or
  line-of-sight.
• Multiple tags can be scanned and processed
  quickly.
• A high level of data integrity is provided as
  error rates are lowered.
• Less prone to data compared to barcode labels.
• Difficult to counterfeit RFID tags.
• Portable scanning devices such as the RFID wand.

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Technical Advantages / Disadvantages of RFID

• Disadvantages
• Cost of RFID (tags, reader/antenna, software)
• Concerns about the Radio waves
• Some Radio waves cannot pass through metal, or
  water, at certain frequencies.
• Issues with distracting radio signals can may
  disrupt tag-reader and certification.
• Standards EPC Global.

9
Examples of Industry Applications

• Retail Tesco, Wall-Mart, Gillette
• Supply chain management, Attrition
• Asset management E.g. palettes moving in and
  out
• Shipping
• Container tracking Keeping track of reusable
  containers
• Security
• Transport
• Mass Transit tickets
• Toll charging
• Farming
• Herd tracking (BSC issues)
• Chemical
• Gas cylinder tracking Hazardous materials
  tracking
• Brewery
• Beer drums
• Textile / Laundry identification Garment
  identification speeds
• Luggage / Parcel Tracking Logistics

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BREs Projects on RFID

• STI Feasibility study for developing a leasing
• scheme for smart concrete
• Opportunities for Asset Whole Life Costing
• Tracking - Improved specification
• - Manufacturing Schedule track
• - Delivery track
• - Options feasible for operating cost structure
• Implementing - Tracking software with RMC
• - Reside in parallel with Supply Chain
  SAP software

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BREs Projects on RFID

• Use of tagging and wireless technologies to
  improve construction
• manufacturing
• DTI 4 demonstration projects
• Hazlin Door manufacturer
• Forticrete, Trent, Carter Concrete structures
  manufacturing
• Initial feedback from companies potential cost
  savings from 1-4
• Extend MIS data mapping.
• Housing Association boiler Asset Maintenance
• Manchester Housing (58,000 properties)
• Bournville Village (3,000 properties)
• Boiler Asset register
• Service Records
• Pre-emptive Maintenance Schedule

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BREs Projects on RFID

• DTI Basic Technology Project to Identify areas
  for RFID application in
• Oil Industry
• Logistics Tankers Liquid transport
• Asset Protection and Maintenance
• Health and Safety
• Difference Harsh Environment applications
• Off Site Manufacturing (Pre-Cast) Sectors.
• Manufacturing to specification
• Delivery on time, to right place
• Energy utilisation
• Waste Management
• Waste Tracking Source to delivery and ownership
  / Landfill compliance
• Bins tracking (waste segregation / measurement)

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Opportunities for Water Utilities

• Plant Design and Build (Client Specification)
• Track materials (JIT - 1-2 savings)
• Plant equipment and tools
• Health and Safety
• Hazardous Site Access - security
• Access audit Restricted site, movement
  monitoring
• People Safety equipment ( re-direct attention to
  task)
• Maintenance
• Preventative - Pre-Emptive Predicative
• Maintenance track (extended asset register)
  Asset WLC
•  Large structures ( Tanks, containers etc)
• Option for operating / lease cost

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Business Considerations

• Two key questions need to be answered before
  considering any RFID systems.
• Benefits to the business
• Economic factors
• Net Present Value (NPV)
• Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
• Payback Period of their RFID project

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Conclusion and Way forward

• The Wireless RFID has large potential for asset
  opportunity costs both during build and
  maintenance phases
• Need to establish demonstration projects within
  the water industry.
• Suggestions for Way forward
• Audit the WLC model and Identify the key cost
  drivers.
• Identify areas for RFID applications
• Pilot trial
• Benefits
• Cost savings
• Individual Water companies RD or consortium

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• Thank you