 |
Fact Sheet -- SociaTec Inc. and RFID
What is RFID?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) uses tags affixed to containers, totes and vehicles to transmitaccurate, real-time information to warehouse, transportation and other supply chain applications. A basic RFID system consists of three components: •Antenna •Transceiver (transmitter/receiver) •Transponder (tag) Similar to a bar code, RFID encodes data into a medium which allows that data to be read from acarrier. The RFID tag responds to signals received from a reader (transceiver/receiver). In most cases a tag is associated with the item that it is attached to and provides identification for that item whenit’s captured. A step above the bar code, RFID offers non-contact, non-line-of-sight ability to gatherreal-time data and can penetrate to most non-metallic materials. MOBILITY APPLICATIONS can be embedded intotes, containers or even products without any adverse effects on the data capture requirements.
Active or Passive Tags Active Tags:•Catch the attention of the reader •Function with battery power (a battery is either connected to, or built into the tag) •Work over a greater distance and are usually more expensive due to the cost and size of thebattery Passive Tags:•Alert the tag to communicate through a reader •Communicate without battery power, giving them essentially unlimited life (without a battery, passive tags are generally smaller and lighter than active tags) •Derive power from the reader’s electromagnetic field The main difference between the two: A passive tag’s read range is generally shorter and much smaller than an active tag’s. However, in the case of a reusable container, a passive tag will last the entire lifetime of the container to which it has been assigned, without the need to change batteries orinterrupt the flow of the pooling system.
Frequency Ranges and Characteristics Frequency ranges also distinguish RFID systems. Low frequency 150 KHz: Short to medium read range — low reading speedHigh frequency 13.56 MHz: Short to medium read range — medium reading speedUHF frequency 868-920 MHz: Long read range — high reading speedMicrowave 2.4 - 5.8 GH: Long reading range — high reading speed and line of sight required
Possibilities for RFID Recent RFID deployment and many case studies thus far prove that RFID stands true to its testament. Industry experts predict companies that lag behind in RFID technology adoption will facesubstantial catch-up issues years to come. The early implementers of RFID systems will reap thebenefits of moving forward first.
The Future of RFID1) RFID technology will experience rapid growth in 2005-2006 and accelerate in 2012. Thegroundwork will take place during 2004.2) The majority of the industries using bar code technology will experience pressure to revolutionize to RF tagging systems — RFID technology will eventually replace the ever-present bar code as prices for RFID technology fall.3) International standards for RFID technology are progressing, but will take years to determine and agree upon. Early adopters are helping create those standards. 4) Environmentally demanding requirements include developing tags with the ability to withstand the heat of an automotive paint curing oven, the pressure of deep-sea immersion on oil rig drilling pipes and the rigors of keg cleaning and filling lines of the brewing industry. 5) The capabilities for RFID technology meet demanding requirements such as reading tagswhen mounted on vehicles traveling speeds of 200 mph.
The Cost of RFIDRFID costs are decreasing slowly, but will drop more rapidly as more companies adopt thetechnology. Standardization will bring the cost of RFID down drastically. The ability for the user tohave a choice of vendors for equipment and tags will result in more competitive quotes and will be amajor benefit. Despite the high cost now, experts are encouraging companies to do their research and then to give RFID a chance as soon as they can.
TrenStar and RFID RFID and container tracking technology are the core of TrenStar’s single-source solution for mobileasset management. TrenStar’s asset management, logistics services and supply chain technology arewrapped into a per-use fee that requires no up front fee. This allows companies to deploy RFID withlittle to no up front investment and with less risk than other RFID solutions. With our open RFIDtechnology, we help companies track mobile assets in real-time as they move through the supplychain. TrenStar’s global RFID user base has benefited from our award-winning RFID solutions.
About TrenStar TrenStar’s supply chain technology and services heritage has evolved into a pioneering RFID-enabled,“pay-per-use” model of mobile asset management designed to reduce transportation and operating costs for companies invested in containers that move raw materials, work-in-progress and finished goods through the supply chain. TrenStar’s three-part asset management, logistics services and supply chain technology solution, integrating RFID and container tracking software, is offered to qualified clients for no up front cost. This solution is intended to benefit multiple companies in anasset-intensive industry participating in TrenStar’s distinctive asset pooling operations. TrenStar and its affiliates focus on brewing, food & beverage, chemical, air cargo, automotive, healthcare, retail and other asset-intensive industries. Scottish Courage Breweries, Carlsberg UK, Kraft and Burberry use TrenStar’s products and services. Clients of TrenStar’s affiliates include Ford, Toyota, ExxonMobil, DaimlerChrysler and Dow Chemical. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado andrecognized as one of the top Denver-area software developers, TrenStar has offices in the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. TrenStar is privately held, and the primary shareholders are Trencor Limited, The Carlyle Group and the Leede Companies.
.
|
|
Brands
