Whatever you read on latest Object Identification Technology in market you will
come to know about Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Technology. Surprising
fact is that it is not a new technology; it was first used over sixty years ago
by Britain to identify friend and foe aircraft in World War II and was part of refinement
of Radar.
RFID is evolving as a major technology enabler for identifying and tracking objects
(such as Goods, Asset, Persons, Animals). It helps organizations in locating critical
objects more quickly to improve process efficiency and accuracy and also promises
to enable new efficiencies in the supply chain by tracking goods from the point
of manufacture through to the retail point of sale.
How RFID guided Solutions works?
RFID guided solutions are reading of physical RF Tags on single products, cases,
pallets or reusable containers which emit radio signals to be picked up by reader
devices. These devices and software supported by sophisticated solution architecture
enables the collection and distribution of location based information on real time
basis.
RF Tags contain a unique identification number and additional necessary information
related to objects for organizations that needs to track the physical location of
objects. All Information stored on RFID tags accompanies items as they travel through
supply chain or organizational business processes. All information on RFID tags,
such as product attributes, physical dimensions, prices or laundering requirements,
can be scanned wirelessly by a reader at high speed and from a distance of several
meters.
Complete Solution combines technology of RF Tags and Readers with Database ensures
real time access to up to date information about relevant products/objects at any
point of time in supply chain/organizations.
Listed below are core benefits of using RFID technology in state of the art solutions.
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No line of sight needed.
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Allows check-out and check-in
several items simultaneously.
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Information directly attached
to product.
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Performing both identification
and antitheft in one single operation.
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Different shape and sizes available.
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Able to tag almost anything.
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Accelerate scanning and identifying.
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RFID tags are rugged and robust
and can work in harsh temperatures and environments.
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RFID Tags are Customizable according
to the application / usage
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RFID tags in Most applications
can be detected ”hands off”
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RFID tags can be placed inside
the packaging or even in the product itself
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Direct physical contact between
the tags and the reader is not required.
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Multiple RFID tags can be read
at the same time.
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Customizable Solutions, Integration
with other System also possible
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RFID technology is better than
bar codes as it cannot be easily replicated
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RFID Enabled solution increases
the security of the product
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RFID systems play a key role
by managing updates of stocks, transportation and logistics of the product, in product
supply chain
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The RFID system works at a remarkably
high speed, even in adverse conditions
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RFID Systems are able to reduce
the need of Human intervention and provides process automation
Problems with RFID Technology
Liquid media and Metallic Surface
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It is difficult for an RFID reader
to read the information in case of RFID tags installed in liquids and products having
metal surface.
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Problem is that the liquid and
metal surfaces tend to reflect the radio waves, which makes the tags unreadable.
Communication Media for on field Devices
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Interference becomes necessary
if devices such as forklifts and walkie-talkies are in the vicinity of the distribution
centers.
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The presence of mobile phone
towers has been found to interfere with RFID radio waves. Wal-Mart, the retail sector
giant, has installed billions of RFID tags in their products throughout the world
and they have encountered such problems.
Necessary to follow Global Standards
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The USA and Europe, for instance,
have different range of frequencies that allow RFID tags to function. This makes
it mandatory for international shipping companies and other organizations to be
aware of the working pattern of other nations also, which can be very time-consuming.
Privacy Concerns
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RFID technology has been referred
to as invasive technology. Consumers are apprehensive about their privacy when they
purchase products with RFID tags.
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Once the radio chips are installed
in the product, the customer can be tracked by the RFID reader. However, many stores
have a facility that deactivates the RFID tags after the product has been purchased.
Future of RFID Technology
RFID is said by many in the industry to be the frontrunner technology for automatic
identification and data collection. The biggest, as of yet unproven, benefit would
ultimately be in the consumer goods supply chain where an RFID tag attached to a
consumer product could be tracked from manufacturing to the retail store right to
the consumer's home.
Many see RFID as a technology in its infancy with an untapped potential. While we
may talk of its existence and the amazing ways in which this technology can be put
to use, until there are more standards set within the industry and the cost of RFID
technology comes down we won't see RFID systems reaching near their full potential
anytime soon.