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RFID for Laptop Inventory Tracking?
An anonymous reader asks: "We are in the process of getting new laptops and I was wondering if anyone has used RFID for inventory control of them? Like many places laptops have had a way of going MIA. In an ideal world I would like to be able to get a 'real time' update of where the tags are located. I also would like to know when a RFID tag goes by a fixed location such as a door.
What are people's experience both good and bad with RFID? Is this realistic? Where do I start? Had this been done with open-source?"
ELPAS (Visonic NA) is a company that makes that type of tag. Shameless plug, I install those systems.
Basically, the tag transmits constantly and the readers are spaced throughout the facility (not just at portals), and give a message if the tag leaves an approved area, is tampered with, or is not seen by the system. The system can even lock down doors when a tag approaches the exit, and integrate to CCTV to capture a picture of the thief. Also does wonders when you have twenty people in a conference room with the same Targus leather case.
They approached Michael Dell about installing at the factory. He doesn't want them as 1000's of laptops are stolen every year, requiring replacements..... Hmm, Profit Motive?
1. RFID can be readily defeated (e.g. with tinfoil, or by placing laptop in metallic container), it should not be viewed as a security mechanism.
2. The current model of IBM thinkpads have an integral RFID option (enabled via BIOS).
If you are willing to spend a few dollars for each tag, and install a tracking system, then what you are talking about should work. There is a good AIM reference summarizing this: What Is RFID? The advantage of an active system is distance, it can be meters away from a receiver. I remember talking to a friend working on this technology (14 years ago, sorry, I've lost touch and can't refer you). They were installing a system in a naval hospital to track the doctors by adding active tags to their base ID's, because the doctors were "too busy" to sign in and out at the guard desk. Sounds like what you want to do, substituting "laptops" for "doctors" . If you go to this site, select "Radio Frequency Identification" then "Systems" you will get a list of manufacturers: RFID Resources
YES!! I'm trapped in CmdrTaco's basement!!
\@o@/