FIATECH

Overview

The capital projects industry is beginning to use radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in the supply chain to achieve financial benefits, but there is not a comprehensive reference book available to guide users through the process. FIATECH is producing such a book as the first volume in "The FIATECH Series of Innovation Guides for the Capital Projects Industry." The book content is a collaborative effort, compiled from information on products from manufacturers, data from capital projects industry companies, input from experts in the RFID technology field, standards from global organizations, and contributions from academic institutions.

"Overall, this book represents a great contribution to the implementation of RFID in materials management and other construction projects. It is very easy to read and very well organized." ~ David Grau, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering at The University of Alabama

Project Contacts

Technical Leads: Fran Rabuck, Bentley; Dan Slade, Jacobs Engineering; and Todd Sutton, Zachry Construction, Inc.

FIATECH Project Manager: Sharon Bickford, FIATECH, 512-452-0835 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Challenge

Provide FIATECH members with valuable information on the implementation of RFID technology in the Capital Projects Industry. "Volume 1: RFID for Materials Management and Productivity Improvement" focuses on Gen2 RFID technology used in the supply chain, specifically as it relates to pipe spools and marked metal pieces. Other types of tags and applications may be addressed in future volumes of the series.

Benefits

This comprehensive reference book will guide users in the capital projects industry through the process of radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, specifically for materials management and productivity improvement, thus realizing financial benefits.

"The current material available for implementing RFID technology centers on the manufacturing and retail industries. The benefits and true potential of implementing this technology is virtually untapped by the construction cndustry because the industry as a whole has not seen the value that it can provide. I see 'RFID for Materials Management and Productivity Improvement' as a concise resource to access the requirements, implementation and usage of RFID on a construction job-site." ~ Todd Sutton, Building Division, Zachry Construction Corporation

Project Participants

Steering Committee:

Fran Rabuck, Bentley Systems Inc., 610-321-6354 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dan Slade, Jacobs, 832-351-6686 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Todd Sutton, Zachry Construction Corporation, 210-871-2768 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Neill Pawsey, FIATECH, +44 178-726-084 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Publisher & Editor:

Jeff Kelly, Program Manager for Authors and Publishing, Bentley Systems Inc. and Bentley Institute Press

Daril Bentley, Bentley Editorial Services

Collaborating Organizations

Contractors:

Reginald Hunter was brought in during the project as a productivity improvement consultant to write Chapter 2 - Building the Business Case.

FIATECH issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) in June 2008 to University members for a compilation of the book, then titled "Volume 1 of the RFID Cookbook," focusing on Gen2 technology used in the supply chain. Three proposals were received and one team was selected to do the work:

Upper Great Plains Transportation Institute (UGPTI), North Dakota State University

Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, North Dakota State University

Alien Technology, Inc.

Axcess International, Inc.

Kildeer Mountain Manufacturing, Inc.

Project Status

An advanced copy of the book was printed on 100% tree free paper for the FIATECH 2010 Technology Conference & Showcase, held in late March. Several copies were distributed to owners, EPC's, and academic members of the capital projects industry for review to incorporate comments into the final publication. The book included Chapters 1, 2, 4, and 5.

A second advanced copy of the book was printed for the Bentley's Best Practices Conference held in mid-May.

The remaining chapters of the book are being completed and the final publication is expected to be available for distribution to Members at the FIATECH 2010 Member's Meeting in early October.

Project Deliverables

"Volume 1: RFID for Materials Management and Productivity Improvement"

Related Industry Research

See "Appendix" in book.

Resources

See FIATECH Tech Tuesday webinars featuring RFID Technology.