| There are two main area of applications,
defined broadly as proximity (short range) and vicinity (long range).
Long range or vicinity applications can
generally be described as track and trace applications, but the technology
provides additional functionality and benefits for product authentication.
RFID enables greater automation of data
collection process. Most companies spend considerable effort in knowing
what's in their warehouse. RFID will help them dig deeper and much more
easily, tracking to the detail of even each unit, long after it has left the
factory or warehouse.
RFID allows all this data to be transferred
securely. Companies use independent suppliers, data from each of them can be
carried on tags and uploaded to the Company's central system.
Imagine the control that the Company will
have on a product's life cycle. The creation of successes and defeats can be
better understood. There have been numerous instances when companies had to
recall the entire product due to a fault in a minor component. Imagine the
costs involved in recalling a whole car for a mistake in the AC system!
RFIDs can make such recalls much more focused.
There would be better data about post
production performance. A car could have individually tagged components.
Data could be collected everywhere, accident sites, repair shops, even the
garage. Even inside the factory, tags could enable faster and focused fault
tracing.
The Just in Time (JIT) practice followed by
many companies, where components are used when they are delivered and
delivered just before being needed, can lead to out of stock situations.
RFID will eliminate the problem.
The eventual aim of RFID in retail and
manufacturing — eliminate the intermediary. A perfect supply chain would
require no distribution center. Products would be delivered directly from
the factory to the retail center.
Some other areas where passive RFID has
been applied in recent past are:
- Person Identification
- Food Production Control
- Vehicle Parking Monitoring
- Toxic Waste Monitoring
- Valuable Objects Insurance
Identification
- Asset Management
- Access Control
Short range or proximity applications are
typically access control applications. Some main areas are:
- Access control
- Mass transit ticketing
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