RFID labels, I hear the term but what does it mean and should I
be thinking of using it for my business? RFID is a radio
frequency identification. Every product is identified somehow.
A sign, a label, a barcode label and an RFID label are all
different ways to identify product. Which one should I chose? If
I own a lemonade stand chances are I'll make a sign to describe
what's in the pitcher. If I manufacture gum, chances are that my
label will have words to tell the consumer what it is, and a bar
code for the cash register scanner to identify the product and
price. RFID uses radio frequencies to transmit data to a reader
which captures the data. The reader takes the digital
information and downloads it to it's computer so the data may be
used and interpreted.
RFID tags or labels contain a micro chip which can store about
2KB of data. This allows you to store more than just it's SKU
and price. You can store other important information like which
manufacturing plant it comes from, the date it was manufactured
and expiration date to name a few. why do we want to capture
this information in this way. Business today is about profit,
streamlining and being the most productive you can be. If we can
capture this data instantly then we can analyze it and make the
right decisions quicker and more accurately. If we can reduce
manual operations, we increase efficiency and reduce the chance
for human errors, either by careless mistakes or wrong
assumptions.
This sounds like a great system so why isn't everybody using it?
It's not because it's a new technolgy because it isn't. Why the
change now? It has been around since at least the 70's and was
primarily used in the army. The reason it hasn't become the
accepted norm is the cost. The readers alone can cost $1000.00
each and the labels themselves are considerably more expensive
than bar code labels. Without mass acceptance and technological
advancements this technology was not thought of as a viable
alternative.
Why the change now? Basically it comes down to one word,
Walmart. Walmart has grown into such a huge company that to
manage it's logistics and supply chain it has become essential
to be the most efficient and streamlined as possible. Walmart
feels that this technology will help it control it's inventory
and procurement costs, thereby increasing it's profitability. It
has thus dictated that it's top 50 suppliers start using this
technology. This one decision has changed the evolution of RFID
labels. Money is now being spent to increase RFID reliability
and lower the cost for it's use. We now have second generation
RFID labels which are cheaper, more powerful and more reliable
than the first generation. Like personal computers this product
should become more powerful and cheaper as time goes on. Other
mass retailers are jumping on the RFID band wagon not wanting to
be left behind and be at a competitive disadvantage.
RFID is available at a limited amount of printers due to the
learning curve needed to manufacture these labels properly.
Solutions Ink is one of these few companies able to deliver RFID
labels and help answer all your questions. If you need more
information about your labelling needs email me at
steve@solutionsink4u.com or check out
www.solutionsink4u.comSteven Schneidman Solutions Ink
steve@solutionsink4u.com
www.solutionsink4u.com
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