Motorola recently announced the introduction of extended-range (ER) scanning technology to their line of MC9090-G handheld RFID readers.  The MC9090-G RFID ER has all of the first-class features of the existing MC9090-G, but enables extended-range bar code scanning for increased flexibility.  In addition to reading 2D bar codes, RFID tags and capturing images, you’ll have the ability to capture 1D bar codes as close as 4 inches to as far as 40 feet away.  The MC9090-G RFID ER is so flexible it can be used across your entire enterprise to boost productivity.  And the MC9090-G RFID ER has the same rugged design as the entire MC9090-G family, making it perfect for extreme environments like the warehouse and loading dock.  You can check out this MC9090-G Crash Test Video from a previous post to see exactly what I mean.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about the new MC9090-G Extended Range Handheld RFID Reader.

Selecting the right RFID frequency will help you get the most value from your RFID solution.  Today I’d like to take a quick look at the different RFID frequencies and their capabilities.

Low Frequency (LF):

Low Frequency systems are typically 125 KHz and this band provides a shorter read range (between 0.5m and 1.5 ft.) than higher frequencies.  LF RFID systems can read tags on objects with a higher metal or water content and tend to be less sensitive to interference than higher frequencies.

High Frequency (HF):

High Frequency RFID technology operates at 13.56 MHz. and features a greater read range than LF systems, with a maximum approximate range of 3 feet.  HF has long been considered the frequency of choice for item-level tagging.  Some common uses for HF RFID include:

• Electronic ticketing
• Contactless payment
• Access control
• Sample tracking

Ultra-High Frequency (UHF):

Ultra-High Frequency systems offer a longer read range and faster data transfer rate than other frequencies, with an approximate range of 10 feet or more.  UHF is supported by numerous standards, including EPCglobal Gen 2 and has been commercialized between 858 to 960 MHz.  Common uses include:

• Compliance tagging
• Case/pallet Identification
• Work-in-Process tracking
• Asset management

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about end-to-end RFID solutions and which RFID frequency is best suited for your business.

In our Dec. 15th and 16th posts we went over some RFID basics, so today’s news is a great follow-up.

Motorola has announced the release of their newest handheld RFID reader-the MC3090-Z.  The Motorola MC3090-Z is the lightest high-performance handheld reader in its class and includes Motorola’s newly patented omni-directional antenna.  The MC3090-Z antenna enables orientation-insensitive data capture which offers a new level of read sensitivity and wider read ranges.  Equipped with the ability to also scan bar codes, the MC3090-Z is a versatile handheld RFID reader that is ideal for:

• Retail
• Healthcare
• Business environments

Click Here for more information about the newest addition to Motorola’s business line of RFID readers.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about RFID solutions.

In yesterday’s post I provided information about three different types of RFID readers and what they’re designed for.  As promised, today I’m going to provide some fast facts about the different types of RFID tags.  RFID tags come in several varieties with different abilities, memory and power requirements.  The following list provides a brief description of several different types of RFID tags:

Active RFID Tags - active tags have an embedded battery that provides power and a radio signal.  Although more expensive than passive tags, they possess greater data capacity and range.

Passive RFID Tags – passive tags don’t have embedded batteries like active tags, they get energy directly from radio waves transmitted by a reader.  Passive tags hold limited amounts of data and have a shorter read range than active tags.

Read-Only Tags – these tags hold data that is pre-programmed at the factory and cannot be changed.

Writeable Tags – these tags allow users to program, erase and rewrite data many times.  Many writeable tags are designed with a partition that defines a certain area of the tag to be read-only, this allows users to permanently encode data that is static, but utilize the writeable portion for changing data.

Many RFID tags are also designed to withstand harsh environments and challenging surfaces.

Let’s Get Mobile! Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about RFID solutions, RFID readers or RFID tags.

In our Dec. 4th post and Sept. 8th post we described two DecisionPoint RFID solutions.  DecisionPoint is no stranger to RFID and is a leading RFID solution provider.  Today I’d like to provide some fast facts about the different readers used for RFID solutions and tomorrow we’ll take a look at the different types of RFID tags.

RFID readers obtain information from RFID tags via low power radio waves; therefore RFID readers don’t require a line of sight between the reader and the tag.  RFID readers are grouped into three main categories:

Handheld RFID Readers – handheld readers provide a flexible means to not only read data in areas that fixed readers can’t reach, but allows the use of a single device to capture a range of data.  From RFID tags, to bar codes, to images, you have everything you need right at your fingertips.

Fixed RFID Readers – typically seen at receiving dock doors, fixed RFID readers automatically activate and read tags on pallets or cases while remaining stationary.

Mobile RFID Readers – designed for material handling equipment such as forklifts or mobile carts, mobile readers can be installed almost anywhere and are designed for true mobility.

Visit us again tomorrow to learn more about the different types of RFID tags.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for more information about RFID solutions.

Southeastern Container is a co-op manufacturing 70% of the U.S. bottle production for Coca-Cola.  DecisionPoint provided Southeaster Container with a plug-and-play EPC Gen 2 RFID system which was tested at its injection-molding facility in Enka, N.C.  The RFID solution is used to track reusable bins used to transport preformed plastic tubes (or preforms) produced at its injection-molding facilities to its blow-molding facilities, where the preforms are then blown into soda bottles.  Southeastern Container is now expanding the RFID solution to two other facilities. Eventually, the company will track up to 40,000 bins.

Southeastern Container decided to deploy RFID after replacing their cardboard containers with reusable plastic bins. The plastic bins offer a number of benefits, but are more costly that the cardboard containers so it’s important for Southeastern Container to confirm the plastic containers last as long as the manufacturer guaranteed.  Southeastern Container uses RFID to count the number of cycles each bin is used to ship loads.

The company affixed a permanent EPC Gen 2 M-Tag to the side of the plastic bins after the bin’s surface is heated using a blowtorch.  Depending on its size, a single bin can hold up to 20,000 preforms. When a tagged bin is packed with preforms, a worker applies a bar-code label to identify the type of preforms contained within. The bin is then moved through an RFID portal containing a Motorola XR440 industrial-class fixed RFID interrogator and an AN400 RFID antenna. As the portal reads the unique ID number from the bin’s RFID tag, an employee utilizes a Motorola MC9090-G mobile computer to scan the bar-code label. Asset tracking software then correlates the bin tag’s ID number with the products as identified by the bar code.  This data is then passed to Southeastern Container’s ERP system.

The bin is then transported to a warehouse and, from there, on to the blow-molding facility. When the bin is emptied, an employee scans the bar code, deleting the record in Southeastern Container’s ERP system.

Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about the various RFID solutions and whether this techynology can benefit your company.

DecisionPoint and dwellingLIVE partnered on the successful deployment of PatrolLIVE, a mobile patrol officer solution for security companies.  PatrolLIVE consolidates all functions on a single Motorola mobile device utilizing RFID technology.  One of the most significant benefits for customers is that they can see the patrol officers’ activities in real time through the PatrolLIVE Web-based customer portal.

You can read the full press release here.