Radio Frequency Identification

RFID operates according to the principle that each tagged assets transmits a radio frequency (RF) signal containing a unique identification code (RFID). This signal is picked up by any one of the different readers. The tags can be battery powered (active tag) or energized by the readers (passive tags). These readers can include area readers, access point readers, portable readers (belt or handheld), door or choke-point readers. The RF information (or scanner information) is fed via these various access points, over a new or existing network infrastructure, to a Data Collection Server that does initial collation and parsing of data. This data is then transported to the Technetium Database Server.

   

RFID as a technology is fast becoming the standard “vehicle” of choice to provide information regarding asset location and other crucial information regarding logistics industries in general, for the following reasons:

Efficient Asset Utilization

The speed of the asset lifecycle, whether it is for manufacturing or utilization is consistently increasing. As a result the information required to support this lifecycle needs to be available in a timely fashion. RFID supports this requirement improving the real-time ability to review “available-for-use”, promised delivery, physical state and current location for assets.

Visibility

RFID allows for effective tracking of individual assets/products, thus increasing visibility of the asset population as a whole. AMR Research states, “More and more, Supply Chain Visibility Solutions are providing users with real-time information for visibility into the supply chain. Knowing the movement and location of goods or assets lets managers respond to changing conditions”.

Security

With ever increasing focus on security, RFID ability to offer “hands free” operation, is a “natural” technology to address this problem.

Regulatory Compliance

RFID infrastructure supports the organizations efforts to comply with regulations regarding the manufacture/purchase/transports of assets.

From an administration / finance perspective the chief benefits of RFID are near real-time equipment management and tracking, asset security, short ROI cycles, minimum operator intervention, and improved flow management.

Technetium has developed a unique solution which incorporates our proven software tracking applications together with barcode scanners that are GPRS enabled. GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) is a high-speed digital data service provided by cellular carriers that uses the GSM technology. In other words the selected scanners use the cellular phone network to transfer data from the unit to a centralized computer from any where in the World provided there is cell phone coverage.