ABSTRACT
This study used a prototyping software model to design and develop a laboratory equipment monitoring and inventory system. Using a low frequency Radio Frequency ID (RFID), the device could detect and record all equipment borrowed and pulled-out in the laboratory. The study was pilot-tested in two laboratories. A questionnaire was used to determine the acceptability of the software. The quality of the software was measured in terms of ISO 9126 software quality criteria. Fifty respondents had high acceptability in the system in terms of functionality (mean = 4.70, s.d. = 0.497), usability (mean = 4.66, s.d. = 0.514), efficiency (mean = 4.53, s.d. = 0.611), maintainability (mean = 4.78, s.d. = 0.447), and portability (mean = 4.53, s.d. = 0.837). Reliability (mean = 4.40, s.d. = 0.793) got an acceptable rating from the respondents. Furthermore, it was found out that equipment could be detected within a distance of 5 inches from the device, the RFID reader is not affected by positional orientation of the RF card, and glass and plastic could not interfere with the RFID reading. Limitations and further study were presented.
