ALIBS: Automated laboratory inventory and borrowing system using RFID technology for the CPU ECE laboratories

Abstract

The Central Philippine University Electronics Engineering (CPU ECE) laboratories performs the inventory and allows the borrowing of laboratory assets. However, the traditional method of performing these tasks is still being done in the laboratories, which could result to human errors and ineffective time management. This research study aimed to design, develop, and test an automated laboratory inventory and borrowing system using RFID for the CPU ECE laboratories. The automated system consists of two major subsystems: (1) the inventory and (2) the borrowing of the laboratory assets. The RFID tags attached to the laboratory assets and embedded into the school ID cards were used as the identification of both the assets and students in the system. These RFID tags are crucial as these enable the students to borrow and return a laboratory asset. Admin users can perform the registration, updating, and removal of students and laboratory assets as well as the exportation of databases, which is basically the inventory part of the system. The system underwent the functionality test, RFID validation test, system integration test, and student perceptions survey to verify several parameters. Results show that the system is functional, the RFID tags for both the students and laboratory assets are valid, and the system is integrated when doing a transaction. The system was beneficial for the students and the laboratory technician as it makes the inventory, borrowing, and learning process inside the laboratories better.