A survey on analytical approaches used in RFID based applications

RFID is one of the Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) technologies. RFID is simple in concept, but sophisticated in its areas of applications. RFID has contributed a lot to the human well being. It facilitates a lot of processes that require labor intervention. But before adopting an RFID based solution, users need proper guidance throughout the process. This paper clarifies some steps that RFID adopters need to go through. These steps are illustrated in the form of a flowchart that guides the whole process. An explanation of every step is given. The steps start with deciding on the appropriateness of RFID technology for the problem at hand. Once this is confirmed, the focus shifts to data processing. The real time data capturing, made possible with RFID, enables users to grasp great benefit. This happens through the application of analytical tools on the data. These tools include operations research, evolutionary algorithms and other artificial intelligence techniques. The paper gives an overview of these tools that constitute one category of the analytical approaches needed to tackle problems and to enable better decision making in the various sectors presented in the paper. The second category of analytical approaches is related to technology acceptance models which are used to ensure that the developed solution is accepted in the workplace. These are also developed in the paper. Finally, the paper concludes on some system analysis and design issues and highlights avenues for future research.