Essay on Radio Frequency Identification

In its basic form, a typical RFID system has two major components, a reader and tags, as shown in Figure 3.1. These tags are made from a tiny chip, also called an integrated circuit (IC), that is connected to an antenna that can be built into many different kinds of tags including apparel hang tags, labels, and security tags, as well as a wide variety of industrial asset tags. The tag chip contains the product's electronic product code (EPC) and other variable information so that it can be read and tracked by RFID readers anywhere(Impinj 2015).

track the target once it is attached on an RFID tag. Passive tags are used to attach on the target object because they are much cheaper, long lived, lightweight and have a smaller foot print. The reader can communicated with host computer through RS232.

RFID systems are currently being used in manufacturing plants to track parts, stay informed of work in progress, reduce product defects, increase throughput, and manage production of given products. Big name retailers such as Best Buy, Metro, Target, Albertson’s, Hewlett Packard, and Wal-Mart are leading the way in implementing RFID systems. These retailers recognize the need to improve inventory efficiency, ensure products are available to customers as needed, decrease theft, and cut down on costs associated with tracking and processing inventory.

Using this wireless technology makes it harder to control the content viewed, especially when personal computers can access the network. RFID can typically be a more expensive technology than your normal barcoding system. You can choose between using active RFID tags or passive RFID tags. Passive tags are very similar to a barcode; however active tags can be activated to track movement and count in a quick manner. Active tags are more expensive, but certain types can be reused. RFID tags can also be larger than a regular barcode and can be more difficult to understand than a typical system. Also, “Some common problems with RFID are reader collision and tag collision.” (What is RFID?, 2012) These types of collision occur when multiple readers or tags are in one area making it difficult to pick up the correct signal.

The RFID is considered a significant improvement over the conventional barcode, which needs to be read by scanners in "line-of-sight" fashion and can be stripped away if the paper product labels get ripped or damaged. RFID can also facilitate inter-organizational E-commerce initiatives such as continuous replenishment or vendor-managed inventories (Smaros and Holmstrom, 2000).

The RFID technology consists of three kinds of tags i.e. active RFID tags, passive RFID tags, and battery

* 1. Understand business strategy and competitive environment. - There is plenty of room for growth of this market, only 5% of the market has been penetrated and Sensormatic is the leader in security surveillance system sales. To invest in throw away tags would be an innovative position relative to cost.

Today, RFID is used in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, travel, entertainment, etc. RFID increases efficiency of operations, decreases reliance on manual process, improves asset visibility and traceability, reduces operation costs, and provides useful data for business analytics. There are many different reasons why companies and firms are beginning to make the switch to RFID, some examples are: automating inventory and asset-tracking in healthcare, manufacturing, retail, and business sectors; identifying the source of products, enabling intelligent recall of defective or dangerous items; prevent use of counterfeit products in the supply chain; improve shopping experience for consumers; provide visibility into the supply chain

RFID technology can offer many advantages to suppliers, retailers, and consumers including “improved accuracy in managing inventory, improved visibility of orders and inventory, reduced costs for logistical operations, improved customer service, improved security, and improved efficiency of business operations” (Park et al. 2010, p. 684).

RFID consist of a tag made up of microchips or a reader with an antenna. The reader sends out some magnetic wave. The tag antenna then receives this waves. Then the RFID tag draws power from the field created by the reader and it use it to power the microchip’s circuit. The chip then modulates the waves back to the reader which converts the waves to a digital data. The cost of a RFID is not quoted because pricing is based on volume.

RFID (radio frequency identification) is a new technology that threatens to take the place of bar codes in the supply chain world. The technology uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. This innovation can provide many benefits in logistics and may revolutionize the entire industry. But, even though the technology provides many benefits it also has many drawbacks and may not be developed enough to become industry standard. The technology also may not be beneficial or cost effective for every business and will require a total overhaul of businesses infrastructure, which can be extremely costly. Furthermore, both bar codes and RFID technology have many pros and cons, also industry may not be ready to implement RFID into their infrastructure.

RFID, or radio frequency identification, is the new system that is replacing the use of barcodes. RFID tags allow users to more quickly obtain information from the object that the RFID tag

These Wearable tags alert the monitoring user about the other person’s whereabouts. Lastly the Attachable tags which can use both the active and passive RFID tags. The Attachable tag also refers to the bar code technology used within the ToolHound equipment and tool software mobile industrial assets, in other words items that are tagged like the tools and equipment and other parts can be found when needed, they can be tracked for maintenance and protected from theft, and loss which then insures maximum utilization.

RFID technology is not only used at gas stations, restaurants, and department but also at

• 1. Become familiar with RFID technology and its potential uses in Harley-Davidson’s supply chain using the information presented in this chapter and information you obtain through the Online Companion links, your favorite search engine, and your library. In about 400 words, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages for Harley-Davidson of replacing its bar codes and scanners technology with RFID.