Radio frequency identification tags
Table of Contents
Benefits of RFID in the business. 5
Examples of organization using RFID tags. 6
Critical analysis of RFID tags. 8
Introduction
The RFID tags represent small devices, which are always electronic working within the radio frequency range to identify people or objects. In the use of the tags, there is no need for contact while it can also work without the effects of environmental conditions. Further, the use of tags is cheap, small while the wireless constituents makes to function in tracking inventories, identifying where objects occur and environmental monitoring (Chander, 2008, p 258). The passive ones derive their energy from signal directed towards them, to function while the active and the semi-active makes use of energy from internal power source which is always a small battery. The active RFID tags can function over longer ranges because of the assurance of energy from the small battery indifferent to the passive ones (Lou et al, 2011, p 186). The use of the RFID tags combines a series of interconnected processes whereby information from the tag obtain information from a slowly moving object which it then links to command center.
What is RFID?
RFID is an acronym for Radio Frequency Identification. RFID refers to the system that offers effective and efficient transmission of the identity of an object, image, or individual through wireless networking system. The wireless networking system that enables Radio frequency identification to transmit the identity of the relevant objects or images involves the application of radio waves. Radio frequency identification falls under the category of automatic identification technologies that are application in numerous cases, in the modern technological market. Implementation of the radio frequency identification (RFID) technology operates in the absence of contact and sight of the communication hence efficient in the provision of crucial services to relevant organizations. FID data can undergo extensive examination through the human body, non-metallic resources, and clothing.
How it works
The basic RFID device has at least three components: Antenna or coil, transceiver, and transponder. Transceiver possesses a decoder that enables it to perform its functions effectively in relation to the needs and preferences of the organization. Transponder component represents a Radio Frequency tag that undergoes electrical programming with application of unique information. Within the components, the antenna is crucial in the remittance of radio signals that initiate the activation process of the tag. This enables the tag to read and write information to the antenna (reader/interrogator). The emission of the signal by the antenna depends on the power of the output and radio frequency adopted by the organization. The reader has the ability to emit radio waves up to 100 feet or more in coverage. The detection of the antenna’s activation signal occurs when the RFID tag pass across the electromagnetic zone. The reader has the ability to decode data in the tag’s circuit and host computer (Ryu et al, 2011, p 780).
Retrieved from http://www.aimglobal.org/technologies/RFID/what_is_rfid.asp
Benefits of RFID in the business
Asset Tracking
Asset tracking represents one of the common applications of the Radio Frequency identification by modern companies or business entities. Implementation of RFID involves the application of tags on the assets to ensure that they are identified in cases of theft or misplacements. Adoption of the RFID tags would enable the organization to locate their assets in the moment of need. Implementation of the RFID tags on the asset can be in the form of real-time locating system that would enable the organization to activate the beacons on the relevant containers.
Manufacturing
Radio frequency identification in the manufacturing sector is a common event in most organizations or companies. The application of the RFID systems in the manufacturing sector enables the organization to track sections and procedures of the production process thus identification of errors, wastes, defects, and standards. This enables the organization to increase the throughput while managing its production systems in flexible manners. The business entity has the ability to apply RFID systems to monitor the production processes of the same product.
Supply Chain Management
Application of RFID tags in the business entities facilitates execution of activities in the closed loop supply chains hence the automation of the process of this sector of the company. Modern technologies allow companies to apply RFID tags in the process of tracking their shipments in relation to supply chain stakeholders or partners.
Retailing
Retailing organizations such as Tesco and Wal-Mart embrace the influence of RFID tags in the execution of their roles and interaction with clients. The main aim of application of the RFID tags is to enable organizations enhance their supply chain management. This is through improving the efficiency of the supply chain and ensuring availability of products at the disposal of the consumers.
Payment Systems
Payment systems also provide an opportunity to implement RFID tags within the context of business organizations. This is evident in the payment of the road toll thus reducing elements of stopping to make the payments. Most organizations also adopt RFID tags to initiate payments for their food products via the drive-through windows. This technology enhances efficiency in the level of services at the fast food restaurants.
Security and Access Control
RFID tags are also applicable in many organizations by determining individuals who can access the office buildings or other specific areas within the premises. Application of RFID tags in the security and control systems proves to be effective and convenient in relation to employees and relevant stakeholders.
Examples of organization using RFID tags
Some of the organizations that apply the use of RFID tags include Tesco, Wal-Mart, UPS, DHL, Best But, and Target. Application of RFID tags enables these organizations enhance the execution of roles and duties within the supply chain management. This enhances the ability to track the shipments through transportation partners. These organizations also apply RFID tags in tracking the procedures or process that relate to manufacturing. RFID tags enhance the ability the ability of the organization to identify wastes, defects, and errors hence the ability to obtain competitive advantage within the market and industry. Retailing organizations such as Wal-Mart also apply the RFID tags to ensure that products are available at the disposal of the consumers thus the ability to locate the goods on the shelves. These organizations also apply RFID tags to enhance security and access control. This determines the number of individuals who have access to the facilities and specific areas within the premises.
Advantages
The RFID tags are efficient in their use since they do not need the presence of line-of-sight in order to establish the target. The RFID tags are also efficient in the way that it tracks the target with subsequent delivery of information to the organization’s reader. This makes the involved organization cut down on costs for labor while also reducing the errors related to humans. Even though, RFID tagging may cost more capital compared to the barcode system it associates to satisfying return on investment (ROI). This arises because of efficiency in complimenting organization’s activities like supplies. The less susceptibility of the RFID tagging also make it preferable to most companies compared to the other security devices. The organization will only need to place the tag within a product thereby removing any suspicion of damage. This implies that the RFID tags can function in any environment type without regard of high temperature.
Disadvantages
It is always difficult to apply RFID reader when under liquids and metal materials because the latter has properties which interfere with the activities of the tag. Liquids and metal materials prompt the reflection of radio waves making it difficult to take reading from the tag. The use of RFID is also a subject to interference from other devices like phone towers and forklifts. The mobile phone towers cause a defect on the radio waves used by the RFID tags making the companies using this material to witness losses in case of the situation (Chongdeuk & Taegwon, 2011, p 5400). Different nations have unique frequency ranges that control the use of RFID tags. This implies that the use of the RFID tags also requires the involved organizations to be aware of the patterns used by other nations; thereby, contributing to its time-consuming nature.
Critical analysis of RFID tags
The article by Curt Hall, RFID Analysis Issues and Opportunities, asserts that the continued use of the device will result in an explosion of data (Hall, 2005). The article discourages the use of RFID tags because of the disadvantages it associates to it. Hall says that the organization making use of the device will have to find ways of managing the increased amount of data flowing in their operations. In this case, the article seems to discourage the use of the RFID technology since it will force users to look for other electronic product that can support the use of the device (Hall, 2005). This is not enough evidence to make organizations deviate from using the device because the aim of RFID devices is always to determine the shortest communication path. This makes the device reduce spending on communication by relevant organizations. This task is the obligation of the channel aware information routing device within the network of the RFID tag. The other ability to apply efficiency in the application of the RFID tags is the opportunity to exercise constant lengths of the hops.
The article also asserts that the output of RFID will be difficult to analyze because of the need of putting the device in all the organization’s product. This implies that the use of the technological device will bear many negative effects on its use; consequently, the organization should look for other security devices. The article is not right since the difficulty of analysis of information cannot compare with the benefits related to the use of the device. For instance, the use of RFID does not allow for its replication leading to the high value of security to the products. This is indifferent to the barcodes, which the third party can always replicate leading to a threat in its delivery of security. The RFID tag works within the range of radio frequency with the use of wireless radio communication to deliver automatically information about objects or people. The wireless communication allows the RFID not to make use of contact leading to its effectiveness for the security purposes (Chongdeuk & Taegwon, 2011, p 5400).
Further, Hall states that the need for the accompanying products will increase the cost of operating the RFID tagging, to the organizations. The products include memory capacity, tag type, software acquisition and maintenance. The article asserts that the total value of operating the RFID tag will be exploitative to the organization bringing the need for other forms of security devices. However, the article does not address this issue appropriately because once there is installation of the RFID tags the benefits that follow are always overwhelming. The use of RFID tags helps the organization to reduce the cost associated to various operations. RFID technology also plays a critical role in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain management in organizations (Sih-Ying et al, 2012, p. 59). Effective and efficient application of the RFID technologies in organizations enables business entities to provide accurate products and services to the potential consumers.
Conclusion
Radio frequency identification (RFID) represents a generic term used to explain a structure that transmits the identity of an object, product, or person wirelessly, via radio waves. Even though the installation will include the need for the accompanying products thereby increasing the cost associated to RFID tagging, this cannot bar the organization from enjoying the benefits. The RFID technology plays a critical role in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness of supply chain management in organizations. The organizations will only need to suffer the short-term effect of installation that afterwards will turn to be beneficial in all aspects. The deluge of data flow may also prove beneficial to the operation of the involved organization. The amount of data output by the RFID, which may seem to be much for the organization to analyze, can apply in determining the seasonality and the related trends of supply. The benefits associated to the use of RFID are far much overwhelming compared to the disadvantages that one may relate to its use. An organization will only need the initial cost while the rest of the cost will always prove lower compared to the use of other security devices like bar codes.
Bibliography
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