| A variety of Builder groups are putting together | | | | response to feedback from contractors who said |
| an RFID tag system coupled with an XML | | | | they wanted a means for easily tracking the |
| database process to assist contractors and other | | | | equipment they needed to haul to and from a job |
| building professionals locate and secure their tools | | | | site on a daily basis. If someone goes to a job |
| employed at work sites. They have contacted | | | | site and forgets an important tool, they could |
| vendors via their hired systems consultants to | | | | loose valuable time, and in some cases, they have |
| create a feasibility plan along with requirements | | | | discovered that going to a nearby store and |
| and cost analysis just for this proposed RFID | | | | replacing the tool actually costs less than traveling |
| asset-tracking application. | | | | to retrieve the tool. |
| The system is anticipated to be composed of | | | | Tools will not likely be the only assets tagged. |
| hand-held computers with built-in interrogators to | | | | Users may also tag essential items such as |
| read the tags of items and tools and report their | | | | notebooks carrying important contracts, and |
| ID's to a central computer. The asset-tracking | | | | containers filled with nails or other fasteners. In |
| software is expected to be housed in the central | | | | addition, it is expected that some individuals will |
| computer and will contribute to the development | | | | use their Tool-Safe application for personal use. |
| of all of the logistic and financial reporting. | | | | On the weekends, professionals will most likely |
| The hand-held units will transport their data to the | | | | use the RFID tracking system for keeping track |
| main computer via XML while their screens will | | | | of recreational gear for sports, such as hunting or |
| display real-time reports and a list of all tagged | | | | fishing. |
| items interrogated on the construction site. | | | | Users can place the tags directly on tools, or on |
| Users can also assign specific tags to a group. If | | | | the cases used to carry drills, circular saws and |
| the interrogator picks up all tags within a group of | | | | certain other tools. Made with a tough plastic |
| items, the computer will show that group to be | | | | housing to protect them from harsh |
| complete, and if any are missing, it will list the | | | | environments, the tags will be mountable through |
| missing items. If it reads any tags not associated | | | | an adhesive backing, or through an eyelet and zip |
| with that particular contractor, it will list those by | | | | tie. If tagging the tool itself could interfere with its |
| tag number as well. Workers can also manually | | | | operation, tagging the case might be preferable. |
| trigger the reader to scan the tags, which can be | | | | These innovative uses of RFID components |
| done any time the hand-held computer is turned | | | | connected to an XML transporting system of |
| on. | | | | tagged-data to and from a central database is an |
| The builders groups involved developed the idea | | | | excellent opportunity for a small business to |
| of a feasibility study of the Tool-Safe application in | | | | prosper with. |