Define the task first
Do you need to find one item, count many items or monitor movement through an access point? These scenarios require different workflows, devices and tags. The number of items alone does not determine the right technology.
When optical codes are useful
QR codes and barcodes identify a specific tag within the device's field of view. They are useful for sequential inspections and opening an asset record on a phone or handheld terminal. Print quality, tag accessibility and resistance to operating conditions all matter.
What radio-frequency identification offers
RFID supports radio-based reading, including reading several tags. Actual results depend on the object's material, positioning, tag and reader type, and the environment. Testing samples is particularly useful for metal, liquids and dense storage.
The record model matters more than the sticker
A tag should be linked to an asset record, custodian, location and history. The workflow should explain what happens if a tag is lost, a discrepancy is found or an asset is moved. ZOYD links identification to these operations. Hardware selection is discussed separately.