RFID Technology and Asset Tracking “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.” Arthur C Clark
RFID – What is it? Radio Frequency Identification Three parts to an RFID implementation: Tag (chip and antenna) Reader Database & software Tag holds unique data – a serial number and/or other unique attributes of the item
Bar Codes on Steroids “Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are like bar codes on steroids; they're to traditional SKUs what Robocop was to your ordinary cop on the beat.” - CIO Magazine Fast No contact No line of sight Read time in milliseconds Simultaneous read of multiple items
Passive Tags EXAMPLE: “Traditional” tags used in retail security applications Tag contains antenna and a small data chip Tag is powered by the electromagnetic field generated by the reader
Active Tags EXAMPLE: Healthcare; military Battery Powered tags Greater range – 100m More information – Kbytes Can integrate sensors Temperature, GPS Shorter life span
Tags
Why use RFID Technology to track assets? HoardingLow Utilization“Hunting”Improper MaintenanceLoss