RFID Systems for
IT Assets
RFID Systems are powering the IT Asset Management (ITAM) applications involved in delivering the quality of service, security, and compliance critical to high-performing operations.
Strong demand is driving the adoption of automated operations for data centers, and RFID is a key technology when it comes to physical infrastructure and operating procedures.
Automation means less overhead and more margin: Cloud vendors have been ahead on the adoption curve, while data center vendors are moving toward hardware as a service model, where they manage their own gear, on behalf of their customers.
THE CHALLENGES OF IT ASSET
RFID SYSTEMS
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Interoperability - CIM and IT Asset Management systems such as Nlyte, ServiceNow, Remedy...
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IT Assets come in high-density configurations, in small and large sizes - Tracking and identification methods that can automated, ie work in bulk, without having to pull the equipment out the racks
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Data centers are metal-rich environments - RFID Systems require to be tuned to minimize cross reads and interferences
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Unique identification - Traceability is a key feature, preferably enabled with serialized ID (TID), or custom encoding of User and EPC memories
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Machine and human-readable - A best practice that calls for printing and encoding services on-site or at point-of-manufacture
USING THE RIGHT RFID SYSTEM
Data Center RFID Systems are designed to manage a large variety of IT assets, devices, and equipment, throughout their life cycle.
The combination of handhelds and fixed RFID readers will determine the system’s performance and capabilities. Handheld RFID readers allow for flexible, on-the-spot, mobile checks: With their small size, power autonomy, and data connection, they are well suited for scanning a facility without having to remove any equipment. They also prove their usefulness when it comes to quickly identifying misplaced equipment.
Fixed RFID Readers on the other hand will require more infrastructure. Adapted onto server cabinets, they deliver real-time visibility for equipment, at the rack level.
Data Center Vendors rely on Xerafy tracking technology to directly embed RFID capabilities in their equipment. Whether you need to track mobile devices, PCs, removable storage devices, servers, routers, network cards, or other IT assets, Xerafy has tags that meet industry standards and are engineered for the job. Xerafy RFID Tags and Labels are designed to deliver optimal performance for IT Assets, be they used On-Metal, Off-Metal, or In-Metal. Compact form factors are available to fit blade servers, rack locations, and mobile devices. More options are available regarding memory, materials, and mounting options.
IT ASSET INVENTORY
Businesses resort to ITAM (IT Asset Management) to drive their operational performance and control the efficiency and costs of their IT infrastructure.
A strong ITAM system is built on a comprehensive inventory of all IT assets, inside the base network and outside, including mobile assets. RFID Systems provide advanced tracking features that can be deployed and automated across multiple locations.
They help organizations remain compliant, prepare for audits, and reduce the likelihood of security risks by simplifying and accelerating asset reconciliation procedures.
And with hardware details tracked throughout their life cycle, actionable data is created that can be leveraged to manage vendor contracts and purchase orders, as well as to forecast demand for new assets and maintenance services can leverage the same data.
IT ASSET LIFE CYCLE
IT Assets are mission-critical and RFID Systems help streamline their Life Cycle Management.
IT vendors offer their equipment tagged with RFID which helps automate several internal processes such as reconciling incoming equipment, provisioning, and deployment. Help desk support teams use data from RFID Systems to rapidly track down and identify equipment that requires maintenance services, upgrades, decommissioning, allowing for an active approach to power and heat management in the data center.
At the end of the equipment life cycle, RFID Systems will simplify accounting for hardware and the data they contain, ensuring seamless compliance for asset reporting and data protection.
DATA CENTER AUTOMATION
Data Center Managers rely on RFID systems to support critical functions such as IT Asset life cycle management, security, physical inspections, and compliance.
A medium-size Data Center will account for 1,000s of IT assets that require to be tracked, maintained, audited, and eventually disposed of, all in accordance with several regulations and standards, including Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), the HITECH Act, PCI, HIPAA.
Datacenter equipment comes now increasingly available from vendors with RFID capabilities embedded, paving the way for new performance and security standards.
