It’s time for part 2 of our closer look at RFID frequencies and technologies.  Today I’ll be providing additional information about High Frequency (HF) Passive RFID.  13.56 MHZ HF RFID (passive) has the following characteristics:

• Read range: from approximately 1 inch to 3.28 ft.
• Reads multiple tags simultaneously
• Moderate memory: 256 to 16KB
• Penetrates most materials well, including water and body tissue
• Easily embedded in non-metallic items
• Not as effective as LF RFID in the presence of metal
• Not typically affected by electrical noise in an industrial environment
• Orientation of tags influences communication range-optimum range requires reader and tag to be parallel

Typical HF RFID applications include:

• Access control-ID cards and employee badges
• Asset tracking
• Retail security and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS)
• Patient and specimen tracking in healthcare
• Maintenance and inspections

Check back next week for part 3 when I take a closer look at Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RFID.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about the appropriate RFID technology for your application.

As mentioned in our Aug. 22nd post about selecting the appropriate RFID frequency for your application, today I’m providing the first in a three part series that takes a closer look at a few of the different RFID frequencies. Today we’re taking a closer look at Low Frequency (LF) Passive RFID. 125-134 KHZ LF RFID (passive) has the following characteristics:

• Read range: from approximately 1 inch to 1.5 ft.
• Reads one tag at a time
• Limited memory: 96 to 2,000 bits
• Penetrates most materials well, including water and metal
• Easily embedded in non-metallic items
• May be affected by electrical noise in an industrial environment

Typical LF RFID applications:

• Access control-such as contactless tags that are read to enter/exit parking lots or buildings
• Customer IDs via key fobs
• Animal tracking
• Legacy asset tracking

Check back tomorrow for part 2 when I take a closer look at High Frequency (HF) RFID.

Let’s Get Mobile! Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about the appropriate RFID technology for your application.

RFID solutions improve accuracy and overall operations across a wide range of industries by providing identification, location and tracking capabilities.  But RFID comes in many different frequencies, such as Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF).  All RFID technologies work in similar ways, but each has its own set of performance characteristics that determine the applications they’re best suited for.  Understanding these characteristics is important when selecting the technology for your RFID applications.  Motorola Solutions recommends asking yourself the following questions to help with the selection:

1. What is the minimum and maximum distance between tags and readers?
2. Do you need to read one tag at a time or many tags simultaneously?
3. Are you tracking items that are relatively inexpensive or high cost items?
4. How much information do you need to store on tags?
5. Do you need to conduct payments or other transactions with RFID-enabled devices?
6. Where do you need to read tags? For example, as assets move in and out of the loading dock for receiving and shipping? As assets pass through specific areas?
7. How sensitive is the data on the tag? What level of security will the data require?

Be sure to check back later this week as I take a closer look at each type of RFID technology and the typical applications they’re used for.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about end-to-end RFID solutions.

Last week, the news of 1 death and 77 illnesses were linked to salmonella-tainted turkey.  According to various media sources, this was the third largest meat recall in history.  Incidents such as this are prompting consumers to question where their food has come from and its safety.  Food traceability solutions help producers meet the demand for this information and provide full visibility into the source, destination and handlers of goods.   Bar code and RFID technology enable detailed traceability that minimizes the impact of outbreaks.  Recalls can be pinpointed to exact lot or batch numbers and facilities.  In addition to public safety, food traceability bar code systems also provide benefits such as:

• Improved order tracking
• Accurate lot control
• Streamlined warehouse operations

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about bar code and RFID traceability solutions.

Motorola Solutions recently announced the release of the MC75A HF RFID Mobile Computer designed to capture virtually any type of business data.  The MC75A HF combines the utility of seven devices in Motorola’s signature rugged design that can withstand drops, tumbles and exposure for reliable use day in and day out.  The MC75A HF combines a mobile phone, two-way radio, HF RFID reader/writer, mobile computer, bar code scanner, high-resolution camera and GPS in one reliable device.

The MC75A HF also enables businesses to take advantage of Near Field Communications (NFC), the next generation of convenient and secure payment technology.  HF RFID increases efficiency and accuracy, making the MC75A HF ideal for a variety of applications such as:

• Identity Verification, Security Screening and Access Control Applications-passports, identification cards and loyalty cards.
• Asset Tracking Applications-vending machine management, maintenance and inspections, specimen tracking and asset location verification.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about the Motorola MC75A HF RFID Mobile Computer.

According to an Aberdeen Group research report, best-in-class retailers that are utilizing item-level RFID on average are realizing:

• 92% inventory system accuracy
• 8.5% improvement in incidence of out of stocks
• 0.8% decrease in in-store shrink

In addition to the improvement areas above, the Aberdeen research report also showed that top performers realized operational improvements in other areas.  The use of handheld RFID readers also showed a significant increase in employee productivity, success of in-store promotions and a reduction in customer wait times.

The best-in-class retailers surveyed are achieving these results by using RFID to:

• Monitor customer activity and inventory accuracy
• Track inventory data in real-time and alert irregularities automatically
• Capture and analyze RFID data
• Produce regular, scheduled inventory, status and usage reporting

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about RFID solutions that improve the efficiency of retail operations.

I’m sure most of you are aware that passports are now issued with RFID chips to improve security and reduce tampering or forgery.  RFID technology enhances security for a variety of industries.  RFID-based smart cards restrict and permit access on a card by card basis and are more secure than standard cards.  RFID access cards only need to be placed within a reasonable distance of a RFID reader rather than swiped and are more secure than magnetic stripes because they’re embedded with anti-cloning technology. 

RFID tags also enhance the security of assets being moved within a location.  Items that are restricted to certain areas and cannot be moved beyond preset boundaries such as rooms or doorways are tagged and security is notified immediately of any violations.  Additionally, any asset that was moved to an unauthorized area can be easily tracked and located.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about RFID solutions that enhance security.

In our post yesterday, I provided information about rugged RFID tags and asset tracking in harsh environments.  Another popular use for rugged RFID tags is uniform and linen tracking in healthcare facilities and hotels.  Rugged RFID tags in flexible mounts can withstand repeated washings and boiling temperatures while still providing tracking.

Many hotels and resorts are using these flexible RFID tags for linens and can track inventory levels in each room, while also deterring employee and guest theft.  Hospitals are also using these tags for their garments that must be washed at high temperatures to sanitize for bacteria.  Large hospitals are responsible for managing a high number of work garments and RFID provides real-time tracking of garments as they move from the laundry to storage areas in the hospitals.  With RFID, hospitals and hotels are realizing improved stock visibility and management of their assets.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about RFID solutions for uniform and linen tracking.

Retail RFID tags like the type used for item-level RFID tagging are designed to operate under “normal” conditions.  For harsh environments, RFID tags used for asset tracking must be able to withstand exposure to a variety of conditions.  Rugged RFID tags are designed to endure chemicals, shock, dust, water, extreme temperatures and more.  Many rugged RFID tags are designed for specific industries and uses, such as tags designed for use on metal that provide a read-range of up to 10 feet and reinforced tag frames for especially harsh environments.  Ruggedized RFID tags are designed for industries such as:

• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Utilities
• Oil & Gas

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. for additional information about rugged RFID tags and solutions for harsh environments.

Tracking products throughout the supply chain is important to ensure food safety and implementing bar code and RFID technology provides the extra layer of protection needed in the event that food contamination or a food borne illness occurs.  The Produce Traceability Initiative (PTI) is already taking steps to develop a standardized approach to enhance the speed and efficiency of traceability systems.  Their vision is to create a course of action to achieve supply chain-wide adoption of electronic traceability of every case of produce by the year 2012.

PTI is leveraging GS1 bar code labeling to identify specific growers and the 14-digit Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) based upon the GS1 standard is used to identify each case of produce.  This traceability technology provides significant benefits to growers, distributors and retailers, such as:

• Full visibility into where a product came from to identify and isolate any problems
• Increased supply chain efficiency and improved operations
• Increased consumer trust

When companies receive or ship a case of produce and scan the bar code they will gain full visibility into the source, destination and all handlers of the goods.  Similarly, RFID tags can provide deep traceability without a line of sight requirement.

Let’s Get Mobile!  Contact DecisionPoint Systems, Inc. to learn more about bar code and RFID solutions that improve food safety.