RFID Solutions
Common RFID Applications
The RFID applications receiving the most press these days are those associated with pallet and carton tracking in the supply chain. The following application examples indicate there are seemingly unlimited opportunities to implement RFID technology in a variety of markets and for numerous uses.
Supply Chain Management
Large corporations who wish to remove costs and inefficiencies in supply chain operations are driving much of the recent interest in RFID and smart label technology. The idea of scanning pallets as they arrive in distribution centers or back store docks and instantly updating the system with all of the contents of the pallet is appealing to many companies that are currently paying a small army of people to accomplish this task as a full-time job. Reallocating those personnel resources could potentially provide a substantial increase in productivity and efficiency for these operations. This is the area where current attention is being focused. This is because of the mandates from Wal-Mart and the Department of Defense to their top suppliers to implement RFID when shipping products to them.
Baggage Handling
Most airlines currently use bar coding systems in their baggage handling operations, but unfortunately baggage still arrives at the wrong location on occasion. Airlines are developing RFID tags embedded into the bar coded baggage tags to interact with the conveyance systems. These RFID systems ensure that baggage reaches its intended location the first time.
Library Information Systems
Libraries are using RFID systems for tracking books and other properties. Books are being tagged with a separate RFID tags to accelerate checkout, and they control theft. A book leaving the premises without being checked out will set off an alarm. Even if the book is not recovered, the system is automatically updated to show that it is not available for checkout.
Returnable Containers Tracking
By tracking pallets, totes and other containers with RFID, and building a record of what is stored in the container. Returnable Product Containers (RPCs) are used to package and transport produce. A grower packs and ships fruits and vegetables in RPCs for travel through distribution to a store's produce department. When the produce container is empty, it is returned for cleaning and reuse. The RFID tag is used not only to keep track of the location of the RPC, but also to document its cleaning history, from the date and temperature of the washing to the chemicals used.
Car Dealerships
RFID systems can be used to manage inventory of automobiles in new and used car dealerships and in rental car lots.
Rental Cars
For rental car companies, RFID would allow fast and easy access to maintenance and service records.
Inventory Control
With a RFID solution, inventory can be updated in real time without product movement, scanning or human involvement. The system allows inventory status to be determined, and could also trigger automatic orders for products that are low in inventory.
Hospitals
RFID can be useful in checking out and tracking expensive medical equipment. Placing an RFID tag on the diagnostic or monitoring machine could read these devices as they leave one area and enter another. This would allow quick and efficient location of these most important devices.
Animal Identification
RFID is being used in the cattle industry in the hopes of helping identify the source of disease and medical histories. Secure identification of cattle by means of a tag inserted into the stomach of an animal provides accurate records for automated farm management.
Point of Sale
An RFID-enabled ID card (Mobil/Exxon Speedpass) allows customers to pay for their gas by passing a card over an RFID reader at the gas pump. The system automatically charges the customer's credit or debit card with the expense
Toll Roads and Parking Garages
Electronic toll collection systems and parking garage access are other examples of point-of-sale applications. Having an RFID tag within your automobile allows frequent users of toll roads to simply drive through the toll stations. The tag will be read and they can be billed each month. The same could be true for charging for use at parking garages.
Utility Companies
RFID could be used to identify where buried cables, pipes, etc are located.
Security and Access Control
The movement and use of valuable equipment and personnel resources can be monitored through RF tags attached to tools, computers, etc. or embedded in credit-card-size security badges.
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