The use of good tracking technology is fundamental to the security system of any place. As a matter of fact, the security industry was the first to put the RFID technology to commercial use. The technology has several applications from thwarting retail thefts to guard tracking. Here is a look at what this new age technology is all about, how it works and its applications for safeguarding your business interests
What is RFID?
RFID or radio frequency identification is a technology that uses electromagnetic waves to track a person, product or even an animal through a receiving terminal. A chip is used to transmit the data to the receiving station so that the object or being can be identified or tracked.
How does RFID technology work?
In order for this technology to be used, two separate devices are required. These are the tags and the receiving terminal. The tags essentially consist of a chip which is an integrated circuit that stores information, and an antenna which is necessary for transmitting and receiving signals.
RFID tags can fall into one of three categories:
Passive RFID: These rely entirely on an external electromagnetic source for signal transmission, in that they contain no independent power supply.
Active RFID: Because these tags come with their own independent power source, they're able to start transmitting a signal as soon as a receiver has been identified.
Battery assisted passive RFID tags: These tags have outstanding forward link capability, which in turn makes them perfect for logistics tracking. With that said, they are activated only when an external power source is available.
The use of RFID is regulated and standardized by several bodies such as
* EPCglobal * International Organization for Standardization * DASH7 * International Electronic Commission (IEC) * ASTM International
When can RFID technology be employed?
Apart from supply chain management, there are several other uses for RFID technology. Let's take a brief look at how this technology can be used in order to protect your business interests.
Logistics management: RFID technology can be used in yard management, freight distribution, shipping, etc. It can also be efficaciously used for managing inventory.
Animal identification: RIFD technology is widely used in ear tags in order to track and manage animals for conservation purposes.
Healthcare sector: The technology can also be used in hospitals to improve patient safety by incorporating RFID tags in sponges, disposable gauze, etc. The use of RFID helps to prevent the risk of unintentionally retained foreign objects in the body of the patient.
Libraries: RFID technology is slowly but surely taking the place bar codes on library books. Considering that libraries frequently stock rare books; RFID can help to keep track of such books. The tag can store all the relevant information regarding a book, such as the author's name, title, etc.
Tracking promotional products: While offering discounts and promotions is a good way to attract customer attention, manufacturers who sell their goods through retailers often cannot get the complete benefit of such a campaign because the retailers may buy products when the discount is in effect to lock their profits. They then sell it at a higher cost once the discount period is over. However, through the RFID technology, business men can keep track of when and to whom their goods are sold.
RFID also have several applications in the transportation sector, government offices, schools and universities, sports (for the measurement of race timing) etc.
More Information:
Bloodhound Technologies is an
RFID Technology Company found in Cape Town, South Africa. Bloodhound supply specialized RFID technology applications To find out a number of industries. To find out more information, go to
RFID Technology 
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