RFID is made of tiny computer chips that are linked to an antenna. When scanned with a reader device, the antenna picks up the electromagnetic energy and sends its unique identification number and stored information to the reader device.

The most commonly used frequencies are High Frequency (HF) and Ultra-High Frequency (UHF).

Uses for RFID

RFID can be used for automated processes such as:

•  Implementing a self-checkout system

•  Providing real time visibility into inventory status

•  Easy tracking of products (for example, to know the age of products, their serial numbers and so on)

•  Reducing manual operations where possible

•  Assisting management analysis of goods movement (for example, viewing Top 5 products with the fastest turnover )

•  Eliminating work duplication

RFID can be used in the following applications:

•  Inventory control

•  Access control

•  Ticketing (for example, theme parks entry passes, wrist-band entry passes)

•  Building security

•  Asset tracking (for example, real-time tracking of equipment/gaming machines)

•  Time and place data-logging (for example, automatic logging of time for shift work)

•  Laboratory analysis

•  Lap-counting (for example, automatic recording of the number of laps completed)

•  Vehicle identification (for example, Singapore’s Electronic Road Pricing System where cars are tracked on the road    when they enter restricted areas, and for car park charging)

RFID implementation flow

To implement an RFID system for any company, Honsen will run through a series of steps with the company to assess their needs accurately and ensure a smooth implementation process. The steps are:

•  Analysis of requirements

•  Design of system

•  Technology selection

•  Hardware selection

•  Software development

•  System configuration

•  System fine-tuning

•  RFID on-site implementation

•  Testing