Major Issues include: Effect of metal on RFID tags, RFID tag read distance, effect of materials in-between RFID tag and scanner, best tag type for readability, and importing tag information into database.
The effect of metal on RFID tags has been fairly well documented, but we have no idea what will happen in the environment. The metal attenuates signals from the RFID transmitter affecting the readability of the tag. If the tag is completely unreadable, we will have to redesign our entire system. RFID tag read distance will determine if the entire project works. A major requirement of the client is that the tags be readable from a distance that will mean that items won’t need to be removed from their shelves. If no benefit is seen from the RFID system over the barcode system then the new system won’t be used. The effect of materials between the transmitter and the tag have been decently documented, but in our environment we don’t know what the results will be. Many of the chemicals that need to be tagged will reside in metal cabinets. If the cabinets don’t need to be opened to scan the contents it will be a significant selling point for the RFID system. There are thousands of different types of RFID tags out there for different applications. We have cut that down to about forty different tags we would like to try, each with their own pros and cons. We need to test to see what tag provides the best performance at cost to see what we will use. The last important issue is
Given the facts in the case and as outlined in more detail in this case study, it is our recommendation that Mierdorf and Wolfram move to the case level RFID tagging process. The improvements up and down the supply chain in accuracy, inventory control, reduced labor costs are enough to at least continue with the RFID
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).
Passive RFID tag with low frequency range is used for this application, since it is economic. Here we need short ranged and economic tags for better results. LF range RFID is the ideal choice for this constraint.(Sariff, N., Buniyamin N.)
As RFID technology evolves and becomes less expensive, there will be an increase in the number of companies and vendors using the technology. Eventually, new applications will be developed and these systems may even be able to solve common or unique problems associated with business in today’s market.
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.
As we can see now RFID technology is becoming very popular around the world. However, in my opinion, I would like to say that RFID tags pose a risk to personal privacy. RFID tags easily to be stolen by hackers. They could steal your personal information such as your credit card or your passports. For example, now in some states of the U.S, the government allows the citizen to use RFID passports. However, many citizen still disagree to apply RFID passports because they think it contains many issued such as it is vulnerable to wireless attack by hackers (it can be read up to 30 feet away and copying without permission from the RFID owner). In addition, it is even more dangerous when the RFID passports can contain information that is corresponding to the photo of the RFID tags owner. So just think what will happen if someone hack your passports and what they can do with its information from that RFID passport? Therefore, even RFID tags is becoming popular and can be the next generation technology in the real world, but now, in my opinion, I would like to say that RFID still contains many problem that can harm to personal privacy.
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).
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
For this policy paper I have chosen Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology. RFID is able to provide a lot of advantages in the supply chain management, health care system, government operations. RIFD uses electronic magnetic fields for automatically identifying and tracking the tags attached with the objects. The tags contain electronic information. The RFID devices consist of an antenna which emits a radio signals for activating a tag and read and write the electronic data to those. The technology is able to provide a lot of advantages to the users but there are several ethical considerations associated with the use of this technology. Mostly the ethical issues are associated
RFID tags are much more efficient than simple barcodes because of a few key features. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags do not need to be on the surface of the object. This means that the tag does not need to be subject to the elements. RFID tags can also be read much more quickly than barcodes. Where barcodes need to have a device pointed directly at them to scan them, RFID tag readers need only be within range of the transmitting signal. This allows scanning process to be much more automated. Finally, RFID tags can be read almost simultaneously (mostly due to the high speed reading and use of different wave lengths) (What is RFID, n.d.).
Although using radio-frequency identification tags in airport baggage-handling operations can be costly, the advantages of implementing this system at the ATL airport will save the airport a lot of money in the long run. These tags do cost significantly more than the standard bar-code tags in which are in use at this time, but the overall fees and reimbursements that are being paid yearly will be significantly reduced if these tags are indeed implemented. While the bar-coding system is inexpensive, the efficiency of the system is its number one downfall. The barcodes often smudge, tear, and most importantly, the tags are set in stone once they are printed. There is no access to make corrections to these tags if a passenger’s destination changes due to, say, inclement weather, flight cancellations, or being re-routed. RFID tags on
RFID comes as an improvement over the previous technology that is barcode. The barcode technology even though it was very cost effective and
RFID technology is not only used at gas stations, restaurants, and department but also at
RFID Signal Penetration through Particulate SolidsABSTRACT:Radio frequency identification technology is an automatic identification wireless communication technology that integrates physical objects with the digital data. It is also becoming popular in supply chain management, which covers all processes in the flow of goods from manufacturing to customers, which includes manufacturing, distribution and transportation. This research paper focuses on the readability of RFID penetration in different particulate solid products with varying particle sizes. In addition simulation during transportation is performed on a conveyor belt at different speeds. Variable factors in this experiment were different types of particulate solids of different
Some of the disadvantages of the RFID technology are that it is expensive to install. Small and medium scale enterprises find it costly to use it in their firms and offices. In the case of Harley Davidson, getting products from many different suppliers’ would mean that the tags may have to be installed in liquid and metal products. The problem is that the liquid and metal surfaces tend to reflect the radio waves, which makes the tags unreadable. The tags have to be placed in various alignments and angles for taking proper reading. This is a tedious task when the work involves a large organization like Harley Davidson. Another disadvantage of the technology is that interference has been observed if devices such as forklifts and walkie-talkies are in the vicinity of the distribution centers. 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.