Web-based radio frequency identification facility management systems

Abstract

The operational life of a facility is extended through regular functional maintenance. The objective of this study is to enhance facility management efficiency using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. A data management module is first developed to collect maintenance records. A statistical module is then established to graphically display the collected data. Maintenance activities are sequenced using a scheduling module to ensure that the facility functions normally. A forecast module is developed using fuzzy neural networks to avoid facility malfunction before the next maintenance. These four modules are integrated into a web-based RFID facility management system. System performance is validated using an actual building. Two RFID apparatuses are invented based on operational needs when implementing the developed system. The validation results show that integrating RFID technology with a web-based system, database, scheduling theory, artificial intelligence and enhancing apparatuses can improve facility maintenance efficiency. This study is one of the first researches providing a comprehensive solution for enhancing facility management efficiency.

Keywords:

• facility management
• radio frequency identification technology
• web-based system
• scheduling
• fuzzy neural networks

Acknowledgements

This research was funded by the Architecture and Building Research Institute (Taiwan), whose support is gratefully acknowledged. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Architecture and Building Research Institute. The writers would also like to thank the investigated laboratories for supporting this study. Special thanks to the students who helped: Yu-Xian Lin, Guan-Jie Wang, Yi-He Lai, Wei-Jie Chang, Shi-Hong Wang and Qing-Yuan Ko.