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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is it better to hire RFID Sherpas than hire an RFID vendor’s internal consultants?
    There are several reasons:  
    • RFID Sherpas serves as the retailer’s advocate during the course of an RFID implementation, ensuring that the quality and timeliness of service remains high. We are often able to flag potential issues before they become actual problems, and we play a central role in devising solutions.
    • Since we have worked with a number of RFID technology offerings we are able to bring forth a much wider set of solutions and best practices than an RFID vendor’s internal consultants.
    • A vendor’s internal consultants have an incentive to promote the vendor’s own hardware and software offerings, even when alternative solutions might be better suited.
    • A key driver of success is the ability to create new behaviors in stores and at company headquarters. Our management consultants excel at doing this. Technology vendors do not.
    A successful program is dependent on more than just technology consulting. Our knowledge and experience spans all aspects of the RFID and Omni-Channel landscape, including Store Operations, Change Management, Inventory Optimization, Supply Chain and Program Management.
  • Why do we need RFID Sherpas if we have already decided whose software, hardware and tags we want to use?
    Vendor selection is only one of the ways that we assist our clients. As mentioned above, most of our work takes place following the Vendor Selection phase. (link to question 1).   Even if you know which vendors you'd like to purchase from, we can still be quite helpful. Collectively, we have helped save our clients millions of dollars. Our client’s Procurement specialists value the “subject matter expertise” we provide. Our firm has drafted and evaluated many RFPs, and we excel at helping clients negotiate effectively with their preferred providers. In addition to securing excellent pricing, our clients are often able to obtain favorable commercial terms in other areas, including: enhanced functionality, accelerated timelines, and free future Proof Of Concept pilot tests.
  • How long is a typical RFID Sherpas consulting engagement?
    The duration of our specific project workstreams vary considerably. Some can be completed in as little as 2 weeks. Others may take 6-9 months. It is not unusual for a client to choose to involve us continuously for several consecutive years as their programs continue to evolve.
  • Does RFID Sherpas sell RFID software, readers or tags?
    No. We do not sell software, readers or tags. We are a “vendor neutral” management consulting firm.
  • Does RFID Sherpas receive compensation from technology vendors when RFID Sherpas recommends their products to its clients?
    We do not receive any compensation from technology vendors when our clients choose to purchase their products. We work closely with our client to identify their specific requirements, and we then recommend the vendors and products that we believe will be the most performant and cost-effective solutions capable of meeting all of our client’s business and technical needs.
  • What specific areas of my RFID & Omni-Channel journeys can RFID Sherpas assist me with?
    We have experience working with our clients on all aspects of their RFID & Omni-Channel journeys. Our team of Strategy, Store Operations and Supply Chain consultants have worked closely with our retail clients in the following areas:  
    • Strategic Roadmaps and Financial Modeling
    • Requirements Gathering and Vendor Selection
    • Source Tagging Strategies and Implementation Plans
    • Process Re-Engineering and SOP Creation in:
      • Stores
      • Offsite Storage and Local Distribution Hubs
      • DCs
    • Change Management and Training
    • Technical Architecture and Integration Advisory Services
    • Project and Program Management
  • Does RFID Sherpas have experience introducing RFID capabilities in distribution centers?
    We have experience devising solutions for distribution centers of different sizes and at different stages of our client’s RFID and Omni-Channel journeys. In some instances, this is to support tagging for a specific set of stores or for a specific set of trading partners. In other instances, this is to provide the distribution center the capability to read incoming merchandise shipments and ensure that any unit in need of a tag receives one. Other functionality we have enabled within distribution centers includes audits of outbound shipments to ensure accuracy and completeness, supporting both pilots and full roll-outs.   We also have experience developing solutions for offsite storage locations that provide auxiliary storage for specific stores.
  • What types of retailers and brands has RFID Sherpas assisted?
    We have had the privilege of assisting a diverse set of clients, including prominent specialty retailers, mass merchants, mid-market department stores, luxury department stores, and luxury brands. We have also assisted Third Party Logistic providers and Factories.
  • Does RFID Sherpas support Retail clients outside of Apparel and Footwear?
    Yes. In addition to our work with Apparel, Footwear and Fashion Accessories we have done project work in the Book, Music, DIY, Electronics, Furniture and Automotive sectors.
  • When was RFID Sherpas formed?
    RFID Sherpas was formed in 2007. Some of our team members have RFID experience dating back to 1998.
  • Does RFID Sherpas support RFID outside of retail applications?
    While our team primarily focuses on supporting retail RFID and Omni-Channel initiatives, we have done work outside of the retail space.   Additionally, we have supported VCs and Investment Banks with due diligence and advice when they evaluate potential investments in retailers or in retail-focused technology companies.

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