Investigating the Department of Defense's Implementation of Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to study the implementation of passive radiofrequency identification (RFID) throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) and determine whether or not the process explicitly or implicitly followed typical executive modeling formulas. The report also will identify the barriers that arose in the implementation of this emerging technology and possible solutions to those barriers. The authors conducted interviews with key DoD personnel involved in the planning and implementation of passive RFID technology. They conclude that there is a lack of synchronization among three key elements that has created a barrier to the implementation of passive RFID at the pace prescribed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. These three key elements are automated information and communication systems integration, passive RFID technology maturity, and DoD/Service business processes. Their analysis reveals the following: (1) passive RFID implementation is progressing in a manner conducive to the implementation of an emerging technology beset by so many problems, (2) the GAO's recommendation that "passive RFID needs better management to work" offers little assistance in the implementation of passive RFID in DoD, and (3) DoD should slow the implementation process to allow for the synchronization of the three elements mentioned above.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA498485
Entities
People
- Christopher A. Thomas
- Emeterio V. Hernandez
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School