RFID Introduction
Technologies that change raw data into information and information into knowledge are
shifting the way the organizations operate. An organization’s ability to do this
conversion efficiently and effectively does not only improve its business processes but
may also gain a competitive edge. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an electronic
tracking technology that promises improvements in convenience, efficiency, and
productivity for businesses. RFID provides the ability to track and trace objects in real
time.
RFID is a subset of automatic identification data capture (AIDC) technology. AIDC is an
efficient means of collecting data for the purpose of the management of information, and
information for management. In addition to RFID, other forms of AIDC systems in use
today include bar codes, optical character recognition (OCR), magnetic strips, voice data
entry, smart cards, and biometrics. Radio Frequency Identification has continued to
evolve since its first commercialized use during World War II. Since then new
technology, such as the Internet, continue to assist its evolution.
An RFID system consists of a RFID host and the RFID equipment. The host interfaces
and stores the data collected by the equipment, which consists of the tags and readers.
These tags contain small microchips attached to antennas that transmit and receive radio
signals reader that is one to six feet away. Tags come in two varieties. Passive tags do
not require batteries or additional maintenance to communicate with wireless reader. The
electric currents generated by the radio signals provide power to the tags. Because it
lacks a power supply, some passive tags are thin as paper and small enough to inject
under the skin, undetected, as in the case of those implanted in pets for identification
purposes. Conversely, active tags require batteries for power and are significantly larger.
Active tags also have more memory and greater storage capacity and a longer range.
Using RFID technology to identify or track objects is not a new concept, but thanks to
advances in technology, it is enjoying renewed interest. RFID technology is used
extensively throughout the course of everyday living. Today, radio waves make it
possible to track and identify pets and packages, grant keyless entry into cars, and allow
cars to pass through toll collection booths without stopping. The New York City
Marathon uses D-Tags embedded with RFID tags to track runners along the course,
display messages and pictures for runners and record their time across the finish line.
For our presentation, we will discuss and demonstrate the capability of RFID technology
in supply chain management (SCM) or in the creation of an electronic health record
(EHR).
If the group chooses EHR, the following information will be presented:
EHR and RFID
In respect to the health care industry, RFID technology is seen as an efficient and
effective means to promote interoperability among autonomous and isolated healthcare
systems and to improve the degree of data sharing and availability among healthcare
workers, emergency personnel, patients, and their families. There is currently a Kaiser
Permanente commercial running on television which features patients trying to recall the
details of their past medical history, previous prescriptions, and allergies. It is imperative
for such information to be accurate because inaccurate information can adversely affect
the quality of medical care and the treatment plans that are prescribed. Compared with a
typical paper-based system, using a RFID system to create an aggregated and
consolidated Electronic Health Record (EHR) can provide instant access to patient
information such as blood type, prescriptions, allergies, chronic and communicable
diseases, or other information key to lifesaving care; enhance the quality of care; and
reduce medical errors.
If the group chooses SCM the following information will be presented:
RFID and SCM
RFID has become an important tool to the retail, manufacturing, distribution, and defense
industries, and their respective supply chain processes. RFID is set to revolutionize the
retail and manufacturing industries, and it will reach its full potential when RFID brings
distributors and suppliers closer together to bring better value to the consumer through
improved supply chain management. In time, RFID tags and electronic product codes are
sure to become as ubiquitous as the bar code and the Universal Product Code (UPC).
RFID readers scan electronic product codes (EPC) instead of a UPC. An EPC is a unique
string of numbers assigned to every individual item in a pallet or case, thereby enabling
the tracking of every each item. Universal Product Codes simply identify products, and
then match them with their respective prices listed in a database. On the other hand,
electronic product codes have the ability to provide additional product information such
as the care or proper use of the item when linked to the Internet. An RFID reader
scanning an EPC on a tag can return up to 40 times more data than a UPC. RFID tags do
not require line-of-sight for reading. Since the reader does not need to “see” the ID tags,
the tags may be buried within pallets, boxes, and cases; signals can even penetrate a
variety of substances such as snow, fog, ice, and paint. Furthermore the system is
wireless. Bar codes scanners have proven ineffective in these environments. Multiple
RFID tags can also be read at remarkable speeds, in most cases responding in less than
100 milliseconds. Imagine going to the grocery store and pushing the cart past a reader,
flashing an automatic payment card, then walking out.