Frequently Asked Questions
How important is “RFID testing software” and hardware benchmarks when looking at the use of the technology in a specific application?
This category of software provides interesting data, but does not provide the complete picture. Although there is some merit in using hardware benchmarks to get course grain performance metrics for readers and tags, our experience is that only through robust use case testing can you determine the most optimum solution. Additionally, we have found that supportability issues in the field have implications on total cost of ownership, which often will out weigh any technical gains.
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What is the difference between line-of-business (LOB) application software and RFID infrastructure software? Why are both important?
RFID infrastructure software, or RFID middleware, is an essential piece of the overall technical stack for any complete solution. It is used to manage both the reader settings and the data that comes out of the reader before being presented up to the enterprise class LOB applications which are used to drive business transformation and value. Customer operations teams will find little business value in RFID infrastructure software, as they are looking for applications that are targeted at helping solve real business issues. Microsoft with its BizTalk Server 2006 R2 platform, has taken the most comprehensive approach to RFID by developing a partner network of device providers that have built an interface around a standard specification, similar how a printer company writes a printer driver for the Windows OS. This approach allows independent software vendors to focus on building software that brings value with LOB application, using RFID Framework help us manage the devices in the physical layer.
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What is the High Definition Enterprise™ Market? What is driving it?
Companies are continuing to strive toward new levels of operational and financial performance. The ever-changing competitive landscape is requiring them to create new offerings and deliver higher levels of customer service. All at an increasing rate of change. Many are finding that the current fidelity and timeless in their current systems, applications and processes are not sufficient to support these changes.
There are 3 trends in the High Definition Enterprise™ market:
- Critical “things” in the enterprise, both products and supporting equipment, are moving toward having unique identity. RFID is an enabler to help measure and monitor these “thing” identities with automation.
- The traditional boundaries of the enterprise, which have evolving to included entities outside of the four walls, are dissolving as customer and supplier networks are melding together to a much more transparent world. With the automated data collection that RFID enables, we can enable new processes and monitor the flow of “things” wherever we wish or need vs. deploying an army of people to scan items as they pass by.
- And lastly, there will need to be a new class of enterprise applications that augment, extend and add value to existing enterprise systems - providing new level of functionality. Our Clarity™ suite of applications are targeted at addressing market opportunities that have shown significant opportunity for value creation.
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What is the returs on investment that customers are experiencing using Xterprise applications?
Our customers have experienced returns verified across a broad range of categories, from the creation of new customer offerings to the reduction or elimination of manual labor associated with data capture into enterprise systems. With our RFID Strategic Assessment™ we address both hard and soft savings. Since most companies are experiencing the benefits of becoming a High Definition Enterprise for the first time, never having seen, understood, nor executed at the level of fidelity now available, we have found that these soft savings are often the most tangible benefit in the pilot and early solution roll out phases of our customer projects.
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RFID vs. Bar Code: which is better?
RFID and bar code both have their uses, in fact,
industry pundits anticipate that the use of bar code will continue for many
years to come. This is good news
to companies that invested in bar code technology to improve product tracking as
they will still benefit from its use.
There are, however, some limitations of bar code that
RFID addresses:
Line-of-sight: Bar code readers can only read bar codes within line of sight, which makes physical inventory of warehouses a major hassle. In overstuffed warehouses full of inventory, each box has its own bar code. But to find out the quantity, you have to open each box. RFID tags do not require line of sight, so you don’t need to break down a pallet to find out what’s inside. Each RFID tag inside the pallet transmits to the reader, allowing an accurate determination of what’s inside.
Product data only:Bar code only identifies the UPC, or uniform product code. RFID tags assign a unique number to each individual item. Also, read/write RFID allows you to update information about the item as necessary; this feature could be beneficial in tracking repairs on a part, identifying specific items for recall or managing products with a dated shelf
life.
Damage/removal: If a bar code label rips, becomes soiled or falls off, the scan ability is lost. Generally, RFID tags are not as susceptible to damage.
No unique identifier:Without a unique item or EPC number, it is difficult to track individual parts or items. For example the bar code on one perishable item – a meals-ready-to-eat, or a container of yogurt -- is the same as all other identical items. With a unique identifier for individual items, companies can coordinate distribution by expiration date, reducing spoilage.
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When should I use Active vs. Passive RFID technologies?
Generally, RFID tags are categorized as either active or passive. Active RFID tags typically have both read and write capabilities so tag data can be rewritten and/or modified. Active RFID tags can transmit specific data or instructions to a reader (where the tag has been or important information about the items in the container). A passive tag cannot actively send information — it is read only. Plus, active tags are powered by an internal battery which gives them a longer read range.
Passive RFID tags operate without a separate external power source and obtain operating power generated from the reader. They have shorter read ranges than active tags and require a higher-powered reader. Read-only tags are typically passive and are programmed with a unique set of data (usually 32 to 128 bits) that cannot be modified. Passive tags are lighter, have smaller form factors and are much less expensive than the more powerful active tags. New advances in passive readers from companies like Mojix, and battery assisted passive tags from companies like Power-ID, offer the promise of greater read ranges without the traditional high cost of active tags.
Active and Passive RFID are two fundamentally different technologies, each with unique advantages. While often considered competing technologies, we find they actually complement each other, balancing cost and capability, and offer tremendous potential for combined use within many applications, including air cargo and intermodal cargo management. Along with technical performance and regulatory issues, this opportunity for combined use must also be considered when selecting a frequency for Active RFID.
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