IS change and RFID deployment protocol: a collaboration of two models

This paper presents our approach to explain information systems (IS) change in organisations and its applicability in the RFID (radio frequency identification) application management. It aims to investigate collaboration of these two models: an IS change model (Information System Maintenance/Replacement Model (ISMRM)) and RFID deployment model. Similar to other changes in business process and IT infrastructure, RFID deployment requires a business commitment, combined with a thorough analysis, planning and control to enable the organisation to obtain an optimal solution. To assist and guide an organisation in this activity a RFID Rationale and Deployment Methodology was developed recently. As reported in the literature, this methodology is divided into three phases and has phase transitional motivators that are utilised to support the decision making during the possible deployment of RFID technology. Meanwhile, the ISMRM model lends support and extends the decision making process, within the RFID Rationale and Deployment Methodology, so that decision to implement such technology can be approved with additional factors of productivity, error/failure rate, available support facilities, user feedback, system specialisation and maintenance. This exploratory research concludes that there is a considerable potential for further research including implementation, testing and validation of the true linkages and purpose of the melding of these models.