Understanding RFID
Understanding RFID requires knowledge of your business problem/need. If you understand
what you are trying to solve, the rest of the RFID rollout is really quite simple.
There are physics associated with each frequency due to the frequency itself, tag
size, antenna size and reader power. These factors come into play when deploying
RFID, but when you work with an experienced integrator such as Northern Apex, you
will not have to worry about all of the 'ins' and 'outs' of RFID. We have been deploying
RFID since 1998, and our experience has exposed us to thousands of RFID applications;
that along with our continuing education in the RFID field gives us the knowledge,
the tools and the experience to make your RFID deployment successful!
RFID in Business
For those of you who have researched RFID, you are well aware of the definition
and components of RFID, along with the components of the RFID tag and passive versus
active RFID technologies. If you need more information on the various aspects and
technology behind RFID, we would recommend you read,
"RFID+ The Complete Review of Radio Frequency Identification" by
Elaine Cooney. However, understanding the benefits of RFID from a business/consumer
perspective is much different than understanding the components of RFID and how
they work.
Technology is typically never adopted in any business setting where value is not
the objective unless forced by law or mandate. Any solid business transaction will
always be based on the value of the presented item gaining some reward for the specific
business, hopefully short term and absolutely for the long term. Value is simply
defined as saving money on each transaction, avoiding lost money in waste, retaining
money from litigation or gaining money through more possible transactions. But in
all cases, it comes down to the money and can the business save more money than
it will spend implementing RFID.
Bottom line, business will only implement a technology when the purchase is offset
by some reasonable level of return of that expense and an ongoing overall savings
as the technology matures in its environment. The term ROI was invented long before
RFID. Once ROI is understood and evident, RFID implementation is inevitable.
If you are considering RFID for your business, Northern Apex is here to help you
analyze your needs and help show you the ROI RFID can provide. Please
contact us.
RFID Frequencies
125/148 KHz - Low frequency - Passive technology - 0" to 12" read distance - Works
on thin metal & near/in water and people
13.56 MHz - High frequency - Passive technology - 0" to 30" read distance - Works
on metal if spaced off of it
900 MHz - High frequency - Passive technology - 1" - 30' Read distance -Works on
metal if spaced off of it
303/433 MHz - High frequency active technology - 1" - 1000' Read distance- Active
beacon
|
