RFID Sourcebook
Author: Sandip Lahiri
Publisher: Pearson Education (Pearson Books)
Book Specifications: Hard-cover 276pp
Category: RFID Evaluation, Planning and Deployment
User Level: Intermediate – Advanced
Suggested Publisher Price: $39.99 USA/ $55.99 CAN
ISBN: 0131851373
Info from Back:
“RFID Sourcebook will help you ask the tough questions…build the right applications…avoid costly mistakes…work more effectively with suppliers and partners…time your initiative…even find alternatives to RFID when that makes sense. Whatever your role in RFID strategy, planning, or execution, have Sandip Lahiri’s experience and knowledge on your side: You’ll dramatically improve your odds of success”
Introduction
I was interested in reading this book because I intend on deploying a large-scale RFID solution in the future and wanted to enhance my knowledge on the technology. I figured this would be a good start since the author is an IBM RFID Solution Architect, and perhaps something he would state could disqualify my intentions.
"Learning more about the technology" is a very broad statement, and in my case covered just about everything from Frequencies and Business Applications to Public Scrutiny of the technology. Sandip does an excellent job of staying concise, unbiased and objective throughout this publication. Additionally, he provides insight as to why certain "sides" of public RFID critics/advocates may view things the way they do. The book mentions "getting beyond the hype" on the back cover, and Sandip does exactly that.
Sandip Writes:
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology uses radio waves to automatically identify physical objects (either living beings or inanimate items). Therefore, the range of objects identifiable using RFID includes virtually everything on this planet (and beyond). Thus, RFID is an example of automatic identification (Auto-ID) technology by which a physical object can be identified automatically. Other examples of Auto-ID include bar code, biometric (for example, using fingerprint and retina scan), voice identification, and optical character recognition (OCR) systems.
I come from an environment where my RFID hypothesis is already laid out; I just need additional information on the technology to ensure my deployment is a success. Not only does he give consideration to the variations of RFID technology, he discusses the necessity of businesses using RFID versus other technologies available today and the processes of evaluation, experimentation, deployment, and post-deployment.
Contents
The book starts out with a quick preface that gives a general blurt about RFID and narrows down who could find themselves reading the book.
Sandip writes:
- Corporate decision makers who have received an RFID mandate from a customer or who want to adopt RFID for their enterprise
- IT managers who want to initiate a first RFID program
- Architects or developers who want to get practical tips and guidelines on implementing an RFID system and avoid the potential pitfalls
- Teachers who want to teach a course about RFID
- Students who want to know more about the technology to prepare for the RFID job market
- Consumers who want to be aware of how the technology is being used and its capabilities and limitations
- Anyone who is interested to know about the technology and its aspects
Although I can see "consumers" and "anyone interested" quickly becoming lost in his intelligent vocabulary, technical specifications and continuous references to variables and infrastructure.
Recommended experience in a technical environment before jumping into this book...and NOT intended for your "everyday Wal-Mart shopper".
Table of Contents:
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1 - Technology Overview
Chapter 2 - Advantages of the Technology
Chapter 3 - Limitations of the Technology
Chapter 4 - Application Areas
Chapter 5 - Privacy Concerns
Chapter 6 - RFID Versus Bar Code
Chapter 7 - The RFID strategy
Chapter 8 - Creating Business Justification for RFID
Chapter 9 - Designing and Implementing an RFID Solution
Chapter 10 - Standards
Chapter 11 - Closing Thoughts
Appendix A - RFID Vendors, News Sources, and Conferences
Appendix B - Passive Tag Manufacturing Overview
Glossary
Index
Style and Detail
Each chapter starts with introduction to the topic, then dives into specifics relevant to the topic. His organization throughout the book is very structured and is incredibly easy to follow. If you miss something or don't understand it, you will probably find that in the next paragraph he will discuss it once again except in further detail.
Beware of chapter 1, it is quite lengthy and very technical although necessary for those reading later on to fully understand the concepts he discusses.
Throughout the book, there are plenty of illustrations and pictures of products pertinent to the context. Most illustrations were very "bird's eye view" on topics, but realize he is coming from the position of a high level executive considering a RFID implementation, who instructs all those in charge of the various departments to comply, then supervises and evaluates accordingly.
Because of the "high level executive" standpoint, Sandip doesn't dip into mega-specifics of RFID tags and readers. You are not going to learn how to interact with a RFID tag or reader by reading this book...you're going to learn how to determine implementation considerations (such as environmental factors, etc), the overall purpose, how to evaluate that purpose, select a vendor, comply with standards, implement the solution, and evaluate accordingly. Overall, pretty much covers the 7 P's concept...to cross your t's and dot your i's before spending too much money.
Conclusion
From a business perspective, this book is a must read. If you are considering a RFID solution, reading this book will give you some good pointers and ways of evaluating effectiveness and efficiency. Perhaps you don't even need RFID (that's covered too).
I thought reading this book was going to help me write data to RFID tags in my RFID Solution...instead it gave me new insight as to the scope and path of my Solution. There is no "one stop" book, but this one should be your "first stop". He gives direction as to where to head if you're looking for more specific or technical information, so you're not left in the dark at the end.
His Closing Thoughts (Chapter 11) was probably the most valuable chapter in the book. Here he cuts through all the hype and anti-RFID/pro-RFID sentiment and addresses issues from both sides. Yes RFID is young, and yes its use needs to be responsible. Its capability is directly proportional to the complexity of the infrastructure. If your infrastructure is secure, the implementation will be secure. What good is "10110011101100111011001110110011" going to do anyone if they don't have access to your infrastructure? Crossing the t's and dotting the i's...
Thank you Sandip for the excellent publication.
This one rates 10 of 10!
Jon Kleinhans