ABI Research,offers quantitative projection and analysis studies for trends in worldwide networking and other technologies. Professionals tackle the job of ranking industries according to several requirements. Recently, their Vendor Matrix categorized Motorola at the top for passive UHF RFID handheld readers. Second and third place status went to Convergence Systems Limited (CSL) and Psion Teklogix, Inc. Vendors, such as Motorola, are ranked according to their positions in certain markets. They are evaluated on their innovation and implementation success specific to required matrix criteria. A focus is not on product performance, but creativity and customer usage. ABI Research developed the Vendor Matrix as an analytical tool to compare company developments in technological environments.
Motorola’s major strengths shined through with RFID, bar code scanning, and mobile computing. The union of such technologies helped increase handheld product innovation within the company. Combining mobility with computing enhances productivity within the work place. The implementation score addressed the needs of verticals reaching customer support capabilities and an approach to RFID.
Vendors were analyzed by ABI Research on implementation criteria such as pricing strategies, values, and marketing positions. The proportion of product value to dollar amount is an important consideration. Leadership and strength in the ever popular mobile workforce were studied for verticals and applications. Other criteria incorporated market presence, support capabilities, distribution options, partner strategy, and approach. Companies have to compete, but also need to be customer friendly.
Innovation under this particular vendor matrix inspected GUI with user configuration and handheld readers’ designs. Due to varying environmental usage, the technology should fit the customer adequately. Performance was also evaluated in the areas of wireless connectivity, antenna designs, and battery life expectancy. Mobile networking needs to be available at all times with few disruptions. A huge influence that ranked Motorola number one was a high ranking in leadership, engineering strength and comprehension. The professionals at all levels within a company need constant instruction for new trends and the ability to move forward with bold advances.
Industries should educate themselves with the technology companies ranked highest. The top seven vendors are charted according to ranking at http://www.abiresearch.com/research/1004741. The website is free to access with a required registration. ABI Research customers can view the profiles and statistics of each company. Other sites available include statistics on RFID Research Services at http://www.abiresearch.com/products/service/RFID_Research_Service and a full listing of ABI Research Vendor Matrixes at http://www.abiresearch.com/vendor_matrix_home.jsp.
Radio Frequency Identification or RFID is the procedure of utilizing a tag incorporated into or applied to an inanimate object for the purpose of tracking. The item is identified through the application of radio frequency. Some printers are now using the RFID technology to make work sites more efficient. The RFID printer is a new trend in writing data on an RFID tag and applying this to data for printing barcodes, labels, or graphics. The most widespread RFID printer uses thermal capability to publish smart labels. Most can produce labels four inches wide while others can create a six inch width. Chips are encoded into the RFID printer’s inlay and barcodes are then produced interpreting alpha numeric characters. The RFID printers change how a company functions by instantly improving supply chain visibility, accuracy, and efficiency. Many work site environments experience harsh conditions that would normally alter the performance of technology. The RFID printer has the capability to still provide error free data on an RFID tag while transmitting the information to a reader.
There are several top-rated RFID printers that customers can now access. Zebra is currently at the head of technology and offers printers with a variety of options. Companies in need of RFID encoding and desktop thermal transfer printing will appreciate the Zebra R2844-Z. Smart labels and RFID tags for small objects are the primary job for this printer. The most frequent company requests come from healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.
Businesses such as distribution centers and warehouses may need an RFID printer that is somewhat more rugged. The Zebra RZ400 is RFID compliant with logistical initiatives, but is comprised of metal. This reliable printer can meet the demands for four inch smart labels and encoding. If six inch labels are needed, the Zebra RZ600 takes the rugged capability of an RFID printer further. Depending on the work required, Zebra manufactures the R402, R140, R110xi and the R170xi.
Intermac has produced a reliable barcode RFID printer called the PM4i that demonstrates positive performance results. The first of its kind, the PM4i can encode frequency-supported UHF tags through the use of UHF Gen 2. Other supports include an integrated USB and interface standards for EasyLAN Ethernet, making this RFID printer a must need for EasyLAN wireless interfacing.
As a Software Advice survey points out, interest in tablet computers has been very strong across the healthcare industry, even though the iPad is devoid of certain significant features that physicians wish it had. The survey pointed out that more than half of the respondents were either very likely or somewhat likely to opt for a tablet sometime in the following year.
The physicians contacted by the survey expressed a wish to use the tablet for notes, prescription drug reference, lab orders, clinical decision support, medical image viewing, e-mail, e-prescribing and a host of other tasks. The number one reason for choosing the tablet turned out to be ease-of-use, closely followed by software and durability.
The iPhone operating system from iPad scores high in the ease-of-use factor. However, physicians have pointed out that the current App Store excludes comprehensive software required to manage electronic medical records (EMRs). We will have to wait to find out whether the additional capabilities that the iPad has promised lead to the developers creating a new utility in future. There are already a wider range of advanced software titles offered for the healthcare industry that are compatible with traditional notebooks, however traditional notebooks do not offer the ease-of-use and portability that the iPad and iPhone offer. The physicians who participated in the survey revealed that the second most important addition they desired was resistance to dust and liquids. The iPad, in its native form, does not have a high level of protection against rugged environments. That being said as with the iPhone third parties are already working to create accessories to accompany the iPad. A number of other important features, including barcode scanning, fingerprint access, integrated camera and RFID reader, are missing in the iPad.
It is a wasted effort to try to shoehorn a desktop OS into a tablet. This has already been attempted by Microsoft only to discover there just isn’t a market for it. A respondent to the survey also pointed out that a modal interface, like that of the iPhone, is more appropriate for touch-screen use which makes it more sensible for use in the healthcare system.
At this stage, when the market is yet to witness the arrival of the iPad, one can’t be certain how it is going to fare in respect to its competitors that are set for release later this year. According to analytical forecasts, the device expected to sell over 10 million units by 2011.
Even as the industrial, retail, logistics, automotive and other such industries have suffered fir to the financial crisis, the RFID industry is continuing to grow in the healthcare, pharmaceutical, airline, manufacturing and other similar sectors. The continued investment of RFID providers for these industrial sectors may have caused this continued upsurge in sales. Another reason is that newer opportunities are being discovered due to the search for new markets for the product by RFID providers. They are also concentrating on creating income as well as modernization. Modernization of the RFID product includes real-time tracking, potential use in manufacturing, storage, delivery and distribution. Due to enhanced features on their usage as well as a return on investment, buyers of RFID technology are optimistic. Another motivation is the allotment of frequency and standardization of the RFID band is given some importance by the governments of several countries. Interoperability as well as market integrity will be guaranteed. For instance, a national ID card system using RFID was given funding by the Chinese government; and investment in the military for the US; as well as passports for the British government. Furthermore, the fight against terrorism, crime and outbreaks of disease can be facilitated through the use of the RFID by the governments of different countries
TechNavio Insights is giving an estimate on the global RFID market for the period that started in 2008 until 2012. The market is divided into several geographic areas. The partitioning of the RFID market is done depending on the frequency and technology used. In addition, the report talks about the main market drivers according to their industry, the trend of the market, difficulties and potential for the Global RFID market, and a rundown on the main sellers in the market.
The reports from TechNavio Insights come from a market intelligence platform for the IT industry – TechNavio. It develops the reports based on the intelligence available from TechNavio and influences the custom research experience of the Technology Navigator. Years of experience in Infiniti Research in deep dive custom research and consulting for more than thirty Fortune 500 businesses and several large and middle size businesses has formed the basis for TechNavio.
RFID technology has provided technologically advanced solutions for organizations requiring high performance asset control systems. Access control systems have become increasingly important in organizations and it is for these that RFID proves to be most suited. Some of the reasons behind the need for access control systems include:
• Greater work place security in the workplace for employees
• Ability to keep track of employee activities
• Minimize losses and thefts
• Conforming to government security regulations after the 9-11 attack on the American World Trade Center
RFID technology is able to resolve all these issues and uses the latest cutting edge technology to provide them without leaving any scope for loopholes or deficiencies of any kind. Their cost effectiveness makes them the ideal solution for all applications.
It has been generally found that barcodes and magnetic stripes provide suitable results wherever it is a question of direct contact between the barcode, magnetic stripe and the scanner. However, the drawback of these traditional methods lies in the information being imbedded in the barcode with no scope for it to be updated at any point, and only one barcode can be read at a time.
RFID badges are in stark contrast because not only do they permit updating of information by overwriting and rewriting of information any number of times, they can also be read from a distance without the necessity of direct contact. This makes RFID a preferred choice for tracking solutions. RFID systems can read multiple badges simultaneously, thus providing the time advantage.
RFID systems can store information on employees like their identity code, attendance details, duties performed etc, and regular checks can be conducted. The access information can be attached with a Windows Active Directory or LDLAP. This is helpful in user authentication and be implemented in the organization’s authorized access control mechanism.
RFID helps resolve security worries with its innovative solutions offered to companies that make tracking easy and this enhances the efficiency of existing security systems. Los prevention apart, it helps companies meet the stringent security regulations stipulated by the government.
An efficient and performance oriented access control system has become a necessity for most of the organizations today. These kinds of systems serve various purposes in an organization. Some of the more important functionalities of the system include:
1) Better security in the workplace with defined level of security for employees in the office area,
2) An eye on employee activities,
3) Minimization of the threat of loss, and
4) Conformity to the security level recommended by the government keeping in mind the vicious attack of 9-11 on American Trade Centre.
RFID technology has been quite instrumental in developing scores of cutting-edge solutions, using advanced technologies. These solutions cater to the various needs of an organization. The access control systems that used to be deployed in the past used to have several remarkable deficiencies. These deficiencies have raised a question mark on the traditional solutions. An organisation can always rely on performance oriented and cost effective RFID access control solutions.
In most of the cases, barcodes and magnetic stripes give a better result when the user is either in contact with the badge or kept very close to the badge. Moreover, one can read one bar code at a time and the data which is embedded once cannot be updated. These are the limitations with the traditional systems that make the system unmanageable in many cases.
On the other hand, one can read RFID badges from much farther distances comparing any other traditional systems. Moreover, you can overwrite, not once but several times, the information in each badge that embedded electronically. The capability to read from a much farther distance makes RFID system proficient in important tracking facilities. Due to this, a surveillance camera can be activated to supervise an employee sitting in the close vicinity. In addition, you can read multiple badges at the same time in a RFID system.
In a RFID system, employee data, attendance record, duties performed etc can be easily recorded in a database and can be monitored regularly. One can also attach the access information with a Windows Active Directory or a LDAP that can be used for user authentication and thus can be implemented into an authorized access control mechanism for an organization.
RFID solution can be used to address a variety security and access related concerns of an organization. The solutions designed by the company are innovative, and aim at improving the security and employee monitoring. This makes the activity of tracking quite easy and is an efficient task.
Most RFID systems ensure the latest security compliance to an organization that is regulated by the government. The systems improve the loss prevention programs of an organisation. These features will surely have an immediate impact on security and efficiency of an organization and over time, they will significantly reduce or even eliminate losses.
A Radio Frequency Identification Device or RFID caters to human beings in several ways. The foremost advantage of a RFID is that it enhances productivity.
Managing materials effectively is of fundamental or secondary importance in industries nowadays. It becomes easier and faster to checkout books in libraries as the opening of books to have them stamped is not required. This leads to a remarkable reduction of the formalities while issuing a book.
For example in a completely RFID incorporated library, this technology can be substituted for a complex checkout procedure. The customer walks through the exit sensors which read the information from the smart card in the customer’s pocket and the books are checked out. There is no need to make contact with the person or commute with any type of station.
The RFID application also supports smart cards usage which enhances services to customers. Vital data like profile or any information important for checkout or other library service counters are embedded in the card.
The checkout system is more easy to use when the security addition is installed into the RFID application. The self checkout components can be used to checkout all library items since there is no possibility of emission of electromagnetic rays which can reduce or destroy the sensitivity of the delicate audiovisual materials and damage them. With this application we can do away with the barcode technology.
Apart from this, identification of items by reading the shelves, searching of misplaced items and all work regarding checking of shelves can be done easily with the help of portable readers. You have to scan the shelf with the reader and it will provide you with the information of what it contains and title of books. You don’t have to remove the materials from the shelves as a RFID reader can track them and make a list from the stacks. It also allows us to scan the shelves quickly, search or sort out items, locate any specific item, re-shelving and weeding.
Checking of books can be done more efficiently as baskets full of books can be passed through a huge reader for checking in. An entire truck loaded with books can also be scanned by a portable reader. This procedure reduces a lot of work wile managing returned items.
The RFID application facilitates an advanced degree of self-service in libraries. Since there is no need to search for scans line or no particular object orientation required, the patrons enjoy a very high auto-pilot success rate. The customers can browse through items and return them in the library simply and quickly without anyone’s help. High rate of self-service enables the staff to devote more time to personal client service.
A library should study the repute of a RFID application in the library industry before deciding to install it. How long has the company been associated with the library industry? Topics like number of customers, different types of products offered and promoted and whether they are UL- certified or not should be considered. Does the company have the flexibility to convert into a RFID application from barcodes? What are different types of guarantees? To know more about the RFID Active Tag, visit their website.
British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) since late 2008 has used Dunlop tyres for all participant racing cars. These tyres are embedded with RFID tags that track their usage by the team, thereby helping to know how many were used—without requiring the car to stop.
The tyres are tracked and evaluated to ensure that no team should take any unfair advantage over their counterparts by using better quality or more number of tyres. Earlier this tracking was done using a barcode system requiring the cars to stop for sometime. The RFID-based tyre-tracking system was developed by a collaborative group, including The BTCC, the Goodyear Tyre and Rubber Co.’s Goodyear Innovation Center in Luxembourg, Dunlop Tyres and Datalinx. The new tags not only enable the BTCC to electronically regulate tyre usage during races, they can also be used to track when the teams stop for maintenance, thereby allowing the race organizer to make information available online to the media and fans regarding the vehicles and the tyres used.
All competitors are allowed 16 tyres per race. By tracking each individual tyre, the BTCC ensures that each car utilizes the correct and allocated tyres at all times, and that all competitors adhere to the tyre related rules.
Prior to using RFID-tagged tyres, the race staff had to manually record every serial number of each tyre used in every practice session and race for each car, using pen and paper or bar-code scanners.
To make this system more efficient and eliminate any human errors, the group began developing the RFID system to replace the bar-code label that was scanned by employees when the vehicle was stationary.
The first trial was conducted in May 2008, at the Thruxton circuit in the United Kingdom. Datalinx, which had already provided software to the BTCC for the management of race data, integrated the technology into its race-tyre-management system.
The tags have been intensively tested, to ensure their tolerance against heat and pressure of the vulcanization process. Each tag is encoded with a unique ID number that can link to other data, such as the time of the tyre’s manufacture and shipping, as well as the team that will use the tyre once it arrives at the BTCC. The tags are first read after being manufactured, again when they enter the warehouse, then when they are shipped to the BTCC and also when they arrive at the race organizer’s facilities—all with handheld readers designed by the Goodyear Innovation Center using off-the-shelf components.
Dunlop also utilizes the data to monitor the supply chain, tracking each tyre’s date of manufacturing and shipment to the BTCC, its arrival at the race organizer’s site, its installation onto a car and, finally, its removal from that vehicle (based on the readings of a new RFID tag). Thus the system is reducing the manpower required by the BTCC to track tyre usage, and is also providing Dunlop with better visibility into its supply chain.
One challenge for Dunlop involved ensuring the tags could be read when cars pass at up to 40 miles per hour. That has been met perfectly.
Dunlop currently only tags its BTCC-destined tyres, while looking out for better opportunities.
At present, RFID transponders consist of a metal antenna, polymer substrates, and a silicon chip; the various layers are joined with adhesives. However, as these materials are not biodegradable, many concerns are now being raised on the disposal of these tags because tag use is predicted to increase considerably in the near future.
Therefore, before the use of RFID tags takes off in a big way, manufacturers want to develop an easily recyclable/biodegradable encapsulation materials and transponder substrates. Many leading manufacturers of RFID transponders are in the process of implementing of biodegradable production materials for RFID tags.
The exclusive rights to all patents for Smart Guard, a RFID enabled tag, has recently been won by Datamax. This tag can be inserted in the cover or spine of hard cover products such as books, CDs, DVDs, game boards, diaries, ledgers and other similar products during the manufacturing process itself.
The in line manufacturing process tag will save time, reduce theft and fraud while keeping a check on inventory and lead to further profits. It brings RFID technology to item level tagging for the book publication and entertainment industries.
Currently these industries use a manual method of putting tag on the hard cover products. These tags are also RFID enabled and are stuck on the products by hand when received. The disadvantages of such a practice are multiple. From being a thoroughly labour intensive one that makes it time consuming to human error in the form of missing out on putting the tags, not sticking the tags properly due to inferior quality of adhesive. Also, the authenticity of the data is lost if the product is not scanned properly and therefore not associated with the individual item. Tracking the products becomes difficult thus leading to increasing shrinkages. Inventory control is also jeopardised. The pirated market thrives while taking advantage of all these problems and loopholes of the original one thereby resulting in huge losses for the publication and media & entertainment industry.
At present, RFID transponders consist of a metal antenna, polymer substrates, and a silicon chip; the various layers are joined with adhesives. However, as these materials are not biodegradable, many concerns are now being raised on the disposal of these tags because tag use is predicted to increase considerably in the near future.
