Integration of Radio Frequency Identification and GIS for Asset Management

The use of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has grown substantially in the past few years. Driven mostly by the retail supply chain management industry and by inventory control (loss prevention), RFID technology is finding more acceptance in the security and personal tracking sectors beyond simple pass cards. This growth has of course resulted in greater acceptance of RFID technology and more standardization of process and systems as well as decreased per unit costs. The oil and gas industry is being exposed to the potential use of RFID technology, mostly through the safety and equipment inspection portion of construction management. However, the application of RFID technology is expected to expand to the material tracking and asset management realms in the near future. Integrating the information provided by RFIDs with EPCM project and owner/operator Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is a logical next step towards maximizing the value of RFID technology. By linking assets tracked in the field during movement, lay-down and construction to a GIS, projects will have accurate, real-time data on the location of materials as well as be able to query about those assets after commissioning. This same capability is being modified for post-commission use of RFID with facility GISs. This paper outlines how existing GISs used during the EPCM phases and those employed after commissioning can display, utilize and analyze information provided by RFID technology.