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Case Upon - RFID System Planning – A Simple Overview
Today image is everything and consumers are demanding more from the companies they do business with. The Internet has been growing at an incredible rate over the last ten years and more and more people are getting online each day. Businesses need to start embracing the Internet and a key part to that process is bringing their online image into the 21st Century.Far too many businesses are still making do with amateur looking email addresses and websites and it is these very businesses which need to get their image branding in order. A car valet company called Soapy Joes UK was using soapy_joes_uk@aol.co.uk. as their email address and they didn’t have a website. The proprietor, Darren Worlock didn’t realise that he could have a professional looking domain name such as www.soapyjoesuk.co.uk with business quality email for under ?5 a month.Now Darren has a great website with professional email and has increased his customers by 25% from website enquiries and the feedback he’s had has been excellent.There are still thousands of small businesses and individuals who are not using professional looking email addresses. Why do small businesses go to all the expense of getting business cards printed and vehicle decals added with company branding without a website and professional looking email?There should be no excuses. A domain name with email and website builder is easily purchased from a wide range of Internet Service Providers from about ?60 per year.If you see anyone you know using an out dated ISP email address for their business the chances are they won’t own a website and could be missing out on thousands of pounds of extra income from the Internet. If you’re a business owner and the above applies to you then contact your ISP or someone who can advise you and ask them how you go about bringing you
Air interface protocol - The standards that govern how RFID tags and readers communicate.
Anti-collision - Anti-collision algorithms are used to collect data from multiple RFID tags at the same time from the same RFID reader without interference.
Auto-ID Centre - The original non-profit organisation that helped develop RFID system technology. This work is now continued by EPCglobal.
Backscatter - The communication method between a passive RFID tag and a reader. An RF signal sent by a reader is reflected back to the reader from the tag, which is modulated to transmit data.
Beacon - An active or semi-passive RFID tag that is programmed to wake up and broadcast a signal at pre-set intervals.
Commissioning - Writing data to an RFID tag for the first time. This can happen at the factory or later using a smart label printer.
Concentrator - A device used to gather data from multiple RFID readers at the same time. Contactless smart card - A credit card or buyer card that contains an RFID chip to transmit information without having to be swiped through a reader.
EPC – Electronic Product Codes
EPCglobal - The organisation set up to commercialise RFID technology, which has taken over this task from the Auto-ID Centre.
Far-field communication - An RFID tag that is located one full wavelength away from an RFID reader.
HHT – Hand Held Terminal – portable handheld RFID reader which operators can carry to manually interrogate RFID tags
Inductive coupling. - An RFID reader antenna and a tag antenna each have a coil, which together form a magnetic field. The RFID tag draws electrical energy from this field, which powers its microchip. The microchip then changes the electrical characteristics of the tag antenna. These changes are sensed up by the reader antenna and converted into a serial number for the RFID tag.
Interrogator - Another name for an RFID reader.
KPIs – Key Performance Indicators – used in performance benchmarking processes
License plate - A simple RFID system that only tracks RFID tag serial numbers and no other information.
Middleware - In the context of an RFID system, refers to software that is used to filter RFID data and pass on useful information to enterprise software applications for further processing.
Moores Law - The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled ever
Poor managerial performance is viewed more as structural rather than market factors. The mantra of the managements for increasing efficiencies and profitability is more often than not structural adjustments within the organization.Structural adjustments at best produce short term results. Many of the change initiatives fizzle out after the initial spurt in productivity while management grapple with sagging morale and bottom-line. Managements initiate more change for the sake of keeping the trend going resulting in further worsening of the situation and attritions.The major Change initiative needs to focus on the market forces and any internal change has to be specific to orienting the organization and its people towards the markets.Some key factors that need to be addressed for market oriented change initiatives:GlobalizationGlobalization has created a new scenario where capacity is no longer the constraining factor for any business. Huge capacities are available across geographical borders across product categories. Managements need to focus on the intangibles such as brand building and human resources rather than building capacities to expand markets. The phenomenal overcapacities available especially in high population countries with cheap labor creates price pressures which makes it detrimental for companies focused on capacity expansion.Globalization has also created new levels competitiveness where price advantages alone may not be able to create the market advantages. The customer value-benefits vary across the borders. Organizations need to create products which satisfy the diverse needs of global consumers demanding a certain level of ethnic and geographical adaptation to meet local expectations and needs. The products can no longer be uniform and mass produced. Customization
It is recognised that RFID will enable, (and already has in some cases), a new era of business optimisation, managing and increasing efficiencies throughout the supply chain. However knowing that it can assist your business, and understanding how it will do so, are different enough, let alone knowing how to actually implement a system that provides a sound return on the investment, whilst meeting your objectives.
The potential final cost of a fully integrated RFID supply chain operation would suggest that well planned objectives and a Pilot Scheme within part of the supply chain would be the prudent route to take. This ensures that a final system properly specified and implemented will actually produce the results that you both want and expect.
Business Drivers
The key driver for any investment of this type is the cost savings it will yield. However RFID technology provides additional advantages of real time and faster data capture, with a reduced human error factor. Unlike bar code-based systems, an RFID system can read the information on multiple tags without necessarily requiring line of sight and without the need for a particular orientation. The main business drivers throughout most sectors are as follows:
• Optimise asset and resource utilisation
• Optimise operational process & Manage supply chain exceptions
• Reduce transportation costs
• Reduce theft, wastage and loss
• Increase financial return on investments
• Optimise the labour force
• Manage KPIs and benchmarking
• Avoid congestion of assets and bottlenecks in the supply chain
• To reduce overall supply chain costs
• To assist in making informed decisions in respect of the logistics “loop"
Where do you start?
The range of technologies, standards and options for RFID systems are too numerous to list here, and there is a danger of over specifying the technology required.
Providing that the system objective is not forgotten during the specification and implementation stage, then a suitable system integrator will ensure that there is not an over investment, or too much needless information being produced. It is therefore crucial that the functionality requirements and objectives are well thought out and defined in advance of partnering with a suitable System Integrator, specifically in relation to the management information you wish to extract from the system.
It is widely acknowledged by all who have conducted pilot schemes and RFID implementation that the most crucial factor is to conduct a pilot scheme with partners that have a proven track record, and are not learning as they go along. Therefore a System Integrator with relevant industry sector experience is vital.
From experience it is preferable, in the early planning stages, to have an independent project co-ordinator / facilitator assisting your project team. This individual should be separate from the Integrator and individual system / hardware suppliers working together on the project, and not part of any individual departments within your business that may bias the direction and objectives of the team.
Your RFID project team should be kept as small as possible to reduce management time, training needs, misinformation, over analysis and to remain focused to the project objectives. Team members should then feed back to their own local departments and teams to facilitate the actions and objectives of the project team.
What are your hardware requirements?
The functional requirements of the system will dictate the hardware and software specifications, for example the read / write capabilities of the RFID tags will ultimately be dictated by the business objectives.
With the ability to write tags comes the ability to change data. This is considered by some to be a very important feature of RFID, specifically when it relates to the retail and warehousing industry where it is not just pallets and boxes, but also individual product items being tracked and replenished. These business operations, information needs, standards, customer requirements and other variables can all change rapidly over a relatively short period of time.
The RFID readers will be able to read tags at a rate of several dozen tags per second; however the speed at which that data is processed into the system is limited and dependent on the network and database. The amount of data held on a tag will affect the read rates. This therefore means that the middleware, back end processing and management reporting systems must be wholly compatible with the tags and readers supplied in terms of speed and capability.
It will be the results of the Pilot scheme that facilitate the specific “roll out” requirements for the full system. The exact specifications of the hardware requirements for the pilot scheme are to be specified during the site survey and process analysis by the system integrator. What are your system software requirements?
A key area for concern is handling the sheer volume and speed of data produced by an RFID system.
If you were to implement an RFID system by directly hooking RFID readers to the backend management and ERP systems, the results will be disastrous due to the massive volume of data directly entering the system.
What’s needed is the right system architecture, not only to maintain data accuracy and authenticity, but to make meaning of the vast volumes of data delivered by the RFID readers. Some estimates are that pallet, tote and item-level tracking, combined with data generated by RFID readers as items move within the enterprise, will increase the volume of data by 100 to 1,000 times today’s levels in most supply chains (source: RFID Journal).
Effective RFID implementations should follow the architectural principles developed for financial trading systems, process control and large-scale network management. Like RFID systems, these systems process huge volumes of data, correct errors in real time, correlate events, detect trends and patterns, re-organise and cleanse data and recover from faults – all in real time.
A role of the system integrator is to develop and implement an operational data management architecture that captures events at the “edge” of the enterprise, where operational activity occurs, rather than in the centre, where business-oriented transaction processing occurs. To achieve manageable data then the architecture will comprise of data concentrators and pipelines to route relevant data to the specific user systems that require it, thus not overloading any individual back end management system. For example:- container / pallet data to the asset management system, product and stock data to the ERP and MRP systems cost data to the financial management systems and so on…….
System compatibility in a Global Supply Chain is important, not necessarily for the pilot scheme, but if it is to facilitate a successful roll out across the whole supply chain. Global standards are progressing with the new systems created in compliance with the EPCglobal Generation 2 (Gen 2) standard.
Gen 2 creates a foundation on which to build interoperable RFID products and systems that will improve inventory management, logistics and retail operations around the world. However there will be significant performance and capability differences among Gen 2 compliant equipment. Gen 2 is a standard, and standards specify minimum performance requirements and will therefore not accommodate all systems, as standard –based equipment will not provide a standard performance.
Gen 2 specifies basic RFID communications performance required for common supply chain business processes. However, although companies within the same sector have similar information needs as their competitors and have comparable business practices, usage environments will be very different depending on age and design of the assembly / manufacturing facility, geography and culture. Gen 2 or any RFID technology won't provide exactly the same performance at any two facilities. That is why it is important to understand the difference between what Gen 2 specifies and the range of performance that Gen 2 compliant products can provide.
What next?
RFID does not need to be as complicated or as daunting as some of the industry players would have you believe. Just because the technology exists it does not need to be used to maximum capacity throughout all supply chains. The following factors are considered to be key when moving forward:
• Do not overcomplicate the technology; use what is suitable to meet your objectives.
• Ensure the correct partner (system integrator / provider) is engaged from the outset.
• Ensure that the systems chosen can move with technology
• The pilot scheme is just that - it will need development
RFID system planning is crucial to its success but can on its own be a major task. This combined with the fact that you may have little or no RFID expertise internally can prevent you from taking your first steps to deciding if RFID is suitable to you and your business. Gideon Hillman Consulting can assist you with knowledge and experienced based RFID system planning and help you design a project plan with specific focus on:
-Project Objectives & Scope
-Resource Requirements
-Project Stages and Timescale
-Project Milestones
-Integrator / Supplier Choice
-Regular Technical Reviews
Investment into planning and consultative project management at the outset can negate over investment and additional cost in the longer term.
RFID Terminology:
ASN – Advanced Shipping Notice – notification between vendor and customer of parts due or
to be delivered.
Agile reader - An RFID reader that can read tags operating at different frequencies or
different communication protocols.
Air interface protocol - The standards that govern how RFID tags and readers
communicate.
Anti-collision - Anti-collision algorithms are used to collect data from multiple RFID tags at
the same time from the same RFID reader without interference.
Auto-ID Centre - The original non-profit organisation that helped develop RFID system
technology. This work is now continued by EPCglobal.
Backscatter - The communication method between a passive RFID tag and a reader. An RF
signal sent by a reader is reflected back to the reader from the tag, which is modulated to
transmit data.
Beacon - An active or semi-passive RFID tag that is programmed to wake up and broadcast
a signal at pre-set intervals.
Commissioning - Writing data to an RFID tag for the first time. This can happen at the
factory or later using a smart label printer.
Concentrator - A device used to gather data from multiple RFID readers at the same time.
Contactless smart card - A credit card or buyer card that contains an RFID chip to transmit
information without having to be swiped through a reader.
EPC – Electronic Product Codes
EPCglobal - The organisation set up to commercialise RFID technology, which has taken
over this task from the Auto-ID Centre.
Far-field communication - An RFID tag that is located one full wavelength away from an
RFID reader.
HHT – Hand Held Terminal – portable handheld RFID reader which operators can carry to
manually interrogate RFID tags
Inductive coupling. - An RFID reader antenna and a tag antenna each have a coil, which
together form a magnetic field. The RFID tag draws electrical energy from this field, which
powers its microchip. The microchip then changes the electrical characteristics of the tag
antenna. These changes are sensed up by the reader antenna and converted into a serial
number for the RFID tag.
Interrogator - Another name for an RFID reader.
KPIs – Key Performance Indicators – used in performance benchmarking processes
License plate - A simple RFID system that only tracks RFID tag serial numbers and no other
information.
Middleware - In the context of an RFID system, refers to software that is used to filter RFID
data and pass on useful information to enterprise software applications for further processing.
Moores Law - The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the
number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled ever
Obviously, you can not know all of the things that will set off an individual person. But you can know and base your actions on far more specific information about them than you probably now are using. Even if the reaction of the audience cannot be known, try not to do anything that will directly cause him to react negatively based on what you know to be generally true.Most people are likely to become quite active in their reactions and responses, for psychologically, they are ego-defensive as well as subjective. Either consciously or unconsciously, they will actively try to counteract anything that they find aggravating or threatening. For example, if you seem superior to them in any way, they will attempt to block the imagined or real superiority, perhaps by not liking you or disagreeing with you, as their own internal justification. Something as simple as your looking like someone else they know (who perhaps once did them wrong), a stereotype, or a preconceived idea could greatly affect your attempt to train them.While this may seem to be just simple common sense it is easy for many trainers to lose perspective when speaking to a large group of people.
It is widely acknowledged by all who have conducted pilot schemes and RFID implementation that the most crucial factor is to conduct a pilot scheme with partners that have a proven track record, and are not learning as they go along. Therefore a System Integrator with relevant industry sector experience is vital.
From experience it is preferable, in the early planning stages, to have an independent project co-ordinator / facilitator assisting your project team. This individual should be separate from the Integrator and individual system / hardware suppliers working together on the project, and not part of any individual departments within your business that may bias the direction and objectives of the team.
Your RFID project team should be kept as small as possible to reduce management time, training needs, misinformation, over analysis and to remain focused to the project objectives. Team members should then feed back to their own local departments and teams to facilitate the actions and objectives of the project team.
What are your hardware requirements?
The functional requirements of the system will dictate the hardware and software specifications, for example the read / write capabilities of the RFID tags will ultimately be dictated by the business objectives.
With the ability to write tags comes the ability to change data. This is considered by some to be a very important feature of RFID, specifically when it relates to the retail and warehousing industry where it is not just pallets and boxes, but also individual product items being tracked and replenished. These business operations, information needs, standards, customer requirements and other variables can all change rapidly over a relatively short period of time.
The RFID readers will be able to read tags at a rate of several dozen tags per second; however the speed at which that data is processed into the system is limited and dependent on the network and database. The amount of data held on a tag will affect the read rates. This therefore means that the middleware, back end processing and management reporting systems must be wholly compatible with the tags and readers supplied in terms of speed and capability.
It will be the results of the Pilot scheme that facilitate the specific “roll out” requirements for the full system. The exact specifications of the hardware requirements for the pilot scheme are to be specified during the site survey and process analysis by the system integrator. What are your system software requirements?
A key area for concern is handling the sheer volume and speed of data produced by an RFID system.
If you were to implement an RFID system by directly hooking RFID readers to the backend management and ERP systems, the results will be disastrous due to the massive volume of data directly entering the system.
What’s needed is the right system architecture, not only to maintain data accuracy and authenticity, but to make meaning of the vast volumes of data delivered by the RFID readers. Some estimates are that pallet, tote and item-level tracking, combined with data generated by RFID readers as items move within the enterprise, will increase the volume of data by 100 to 1,000 times today’s levels in most supply chains (source: RFID Journal).
Effective RFID implementations should follow the architectural principles developed for financial trading systems, process control and large-scale network management. Like RFID systems, these systems process huge volumes of data, correct errors in real time, correlate events, detect trends and patterns, re-organise and cleanse data and recover from faults – all in real time.
A role of the system integrator is to develop and implement an operational data management architecture that captures events at the “edge” of the enterprise, where operational activity occurs, rather than in the centre, where business-oriented transaction processing occurs. To achieve manageable data then the architecture will comprise of data concentrators and pipelines to route relevant data to the specific user systems that require it, thus not overloading any individual back end management system. For example:- container / pallet data to the asset management system, product and stock data to the ERP and MRP systems cost data to the financial management systems and so on…….
System compatibility in a Global Supply Chain is important, not necessarily for the pilot scheme, but if it is to facilitate a successful roll out across the whole supply chain. Global standards are progressing with the new systems created in compliance with the EPCglobal Generation 2 (Gen 2) standard.
Gen 2 creates a foundation on which to build interoperable RFID products and systems that will improve inventory management, logistics and retail operations around the world. However there will be significant performance and capability differences among Gen 2 compliant equipment. Gen 2 is a standard, and standards specify minimum performance requirements and will therefore not accommodate all systems, as standard –based equipment will not provide a standard performance.
Gen 2 specifies basic RFID communications performance required for common supply chain business processes. However, although companies within the same sector have similar information needs as their competitors and have comparable business practices, usage environments will be very different depending on age and design of the assembly / manufacturing facility, geography and culture. Gen 2 or any RFID technology won't provide exactly the same performance at any two facilities. That is why it is important to understand the difference between what Gen 2 specifies and the range of performance that Gen 2 compliant products can provide.
What next?
RFID does not need to be as complicated or as daunting as some of the industry players would have you believe. Just because the technology exists it does not need to be used to maximum capacity throughout all supply chains. The following factors are considered to be key when moving forward:
• Do not overcomplicate the technology; use what is suitable to meet your objectives.
• Ensure the correct partner (system integrator / provider) is engaged from the outset.
• Ensure that the systems chosen can move with technology
• The pilot scheme is just that - it will need development
RFID system planning is crucial to its success but can on its own be a major task. This combined with the fact that you may have little or no RFID expertise internally can prevent you from taking your first steps to deciding if RFID is suitable to you and your business. Gideon Hillman Consulting can assist you with knowledge and experienced based RFID system planning and help you design a project plan with specific focus on:
-Project Objectives & Scope
-Resource Requirements
-Project Stages and Timescale
-Project Milestones
-Integrator / Supplier Choice
-Regular Technical Reviews
Investment into planning and consultative project management at the outset can negate over investment and additional cost in the longer term.
RFID Terminology:
ASN – Advanced Shipping Notice – notification between vendor and customer of parts due or
to be delivered.
Agile reader - An RFID reader that can read tags operating at different frequencies or
different communication protocols.
Air interface protocol - The standards that govern how RFID tags and readers
communicate.
Anti-collision - Anti-collision algorithms are used to collect data from multiple RFID tags at
the same time from the same RFID reader without interference.
Auto-ID Centre - The original non-profit organisation that helped develop RFID system
technology. This work is now continued by EPCglobal.
Backscatter - The communication method between a passive RFID tag and a reader. An RF
signal sent by a reader is reflected back to the reader from the tag, which is modulated to
transmit data.
Beacon - An active or semi-passive RFID tag that is programmed to wake up and broadcast
a signal at pre-set intervals.
Commissioning - Writing data to an RFID tag for the first time. This can happen at the
factory or later using a smart label printer.
Concentrator - A device used to gather data from multiple RFID readers at the same time.
Contactless smart card - A credit card or buyer card that contains an RFID chip to transmit
information without having to be swiped through a reader.
EPC – Electronic Product Codes
EPCglobal - The organisation set up to commercialise RFID technology, which has taken
over this task from the Auto-ID Centre.
Far-field communication - An RFID tag that is located one full wavelength away from an
RFID reader.
HHT – Hand Held Terminal – portable handheld RFID reader which operators can carry to
manually interrogate RFID tags
Inductive coupling. - An RFID reader antenna and a tag antenna each have a coil, which
together form a magnetic field. The RFID tag draws electrical energy from this field, which
powers its microchip. The microchip then changes the electrical characteristics of the tag
antenna. These changes are sensed up by the reader antenna and converted into a serial
number for the RFID tag.
Interrogator - Another name for an RFID reader.
KPIs – Key Performance Indicators – used in performance benchmarking processes
License plate - A simple RFID system that only tracks RFID tag serial numbers and no other
information.
Middleware - In the context of an RFID system, refers to software that is used to filter RFID
data and pass on useful information to enterprise software applications for further processing.
Moores Law - The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the
number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled ever
An event planning checklist is extremely important when it comes to organizing a baby shower. If you are in charge of hosting, there are many details so an event planning checklist is definitely the way to go.About six weeks before the baby shower, start planning the event and details so you the last minute is not a rush situation. On your even planning checklist for the shower, you can:1. Find a suitable location for the baby shower 2. Choose a date for this special event 3. Make up a guest list so you know how many people are invited and you do not miss anyone 4. Select the baby shower invitations 5. Plan the menu so you can prepare the food ahead of time 6. Select a baby shower theme such as teddy bears 7. Games should be decided uponAbout two or three weeks before the shower, you should put on your event planning checklist the following:- Mail out the baby shower invitations - Make your final choices and test your food menu - Purchase the materials for decorating - If you are making a baby shower cake, find a great recipe or if not, order your cake - If you are having party favors, make them nowYou are on event planning checklist countdown now at one week before the baby shower. If the shower is held in a hall, or somewhere else, double-check the reservations. Make sure you not only have the final guest list but also have enough seating for all the guests. Buy and wrap gifts you are giving for the shower.The day before the shower set up any table and seating needed, decorate, purchase the beverages and set out any supplies. Finally, on the day of the shower, your even planning checklist should have: pick up any food or cakes ordered, put out food, set out a notebook for listing gifts
It will be the results of the Pilot scheme that facilitate the specific “roll out” requirements for the full system. The exact specifications of the hardware requirements for the pilot scheme are to be specified during the site survey and process analysis by the system integrator. What are your system software requirements?
A key area for concern is handling the sheer volume and speed of data produced by an RFID system.
If you were to implement an RFID system by directly hooking RFID readers to the backend management and ERP systems, the results will be disastrous due to the massive volume of data directly entering the system.
What’s needed is the right system architecture, not only to maintain data accuracy and authenticity, but to make meaning of the vast volumes of data delivered by the RFID readers. Some estimates are that pallet, tote and item-level tracking, combined with data generated by RFID readers as items move within the enterprise, will increase the volume of data by 100 to 1,000 times today’s levels in most supply chains (source: RFID Journal).
Effective RFID implementations should follow the architectural principles developed for financial trading systems, process control and large-scale network management. Like RFID systems, these systems process huge volumes of data, correct errors in real time, correlate events, detect trends and patterns, re-organise and cleanse data and recover from faults – all in real time.
A role of the system integrator is to develop and implement an operational data management architecture that captures events at the “edge” of the enterprise, where operational activity occurs, rather than in the centre, where business-oriented transaction processing occurs. To achieve manageable data then the architecture will comprise of data concentrators and pipelines to route relevant data to the specific user systems that require it, thus not overloading any individual back end management system. For example:- container / pallet data to the asset management system, product and stock data to the ERP and MRP systems cost data to the financial management systems and so on…….
System compatibility in a Global Supply Chain is important, not necessarily for the pilot scheme, but if it is to facilitate a successful roll out across the whole supply chain. Global standards are progressing with the new systems created in compliance with the EPCglobal Generation 2 (Gen 2) standard.
Gen 2 creates a foundation on which to build interoperable RFID products and systems that will improve inventory management, logistics and retail operations around the world. However there will be significant performance and capability differences among Gen 2 compliant equipment. Gen 2 is a standard, and standards specify minimum performance requirements and will therefore not accommodate all systems, as standard –based equipment will not provide a standard performance.
Gen 2 specifies basic RFID communications performance required for common supply chain business processes. However, although companies within the same sector have similar information needs as their competitors and have comparable business practices, usage environments will be very different depending on age and design of the assembly / manufacturing facility, geography and culture. Gen 2 or any RFID technology won't provide exactly the same performance at any two facilities. That is why it is important to understand the difference between what Gen 2 specifies and the range of performance that Gen 2 compliant products can provide.
What next?
RFID does not need to be as complicated or as daunting as some of the industry players would have you believe. Just because the technology exists it does not need to be used to maximum capacity throughout all supply chains. The following factors are considered to be key when moving forward:
• Do not overcomplicate the technology; use what is suitable to meet your objectives.
• Ensure the correct partner (system integrator / provider) is engaged from the outset.
• Ensure that the systems chosen can move with technology
• The pilot scheme is just that - it will need development
RFID system planning is crucial to its success but can on its own be a major task. This combined with the fact that you may have little or no RFID expertise internally can prevent you from taking your first steps to deciding if RFID is suitable to you and your business. Gideon Hillman Consulting can assist you with knowledge and experienced based RFID system planning and help you design a project plan with specific focus on:
-Project Objectives & Scope
-Resource Requirements
-Project Stages and Timescale
-Project Milestones
-Integrator / Supplier Choice
-Regular Technical Reviews
Investment into planning and consultative project management at the outset can negate over investment and additional cost in the longer term.
RFID Terminology:
ASN – Advanced Shipping Notice – notification between vendor and customer of parts due or
to be delivered.
Agile reader - An RFID reader that can read tags operating at different frequencies or
different communication protocols.
Air interface protocol - The standards that govern how RFID tags and readers
communicate.
Anti-collision - Anti-collision algorithms are used to collect data from multiple RFID tags at
the same time from the same RFID reader without interference.
Auto-ID Centre - The original non-profit organisation that helped develop RFID system
technology. This work is now continued by EPCglobal.
Backscatter - The communication method between a passive RFID tag and a reader. An RF
signal sent by a reader is reflected back to the reader from the tag, which is modulated to
transmit data.
Beacon - An active or semi-passive RFID tag that is programmed to wake up and broadcast
a signal at pre-set intervals.
Commissioning - Writing data to an RFID tag for the first time. This can happen at the
factory or later using a smart label printer.
Concentrator - A device used to gather data from multiple RFID readers at the same time.
Contactless smart card - A credit card or buyer card that contains an RFID chip to transmit
information without having to be swiped through a reader.
EPC – Electronic Product Codes
EPCglobal - The organisation set up to commercialise RFID technology, which has taken
over this task from the Auto-ID Centre.
Far-field communication - An RFID tag that is located one full wavelength away from an
RFID reader.
HHT – Hand Held Terminal – portable handheld RFID reader which operators can carry to
manually interrogate RFID tags
Inductive coupling. - An RFID reader antenna and a tag antenna each have a coil, which
together form a magnetic field. The RFID tag draws electrical energy from this field, which
powers its microchip. The microchip then changes the electrical characteristics of the tag
antenna. These changes are sensed up by the reader antenna and converted into a serial
number for the RFID tag.
Interrogator - Another name for an RFID reader.
KPIs – Key Performance Indicators – used in performance benchmarking processes
License plate - A simple RFID system that only tracks RFID tag serial numbers and no other
information.
Middleware - In the context of an RFID system, refers to software that is used to filter RFID
data and pass on useful information to enterprise software applications for further processing.
Moores Law - The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the
number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled ever
Before you get mad at me for what I just said, please look now at one of your business cards and check the following:- Do you use the back side to generate more sales through a shocking offer or guarantee, loyalty or referral program, or any of the 11 best marketing strategies to attract new customers and retain your current customers? - Do you add a call-to-action on the back side to clearly tell your prospects what you want them to do so you can generate more leads and, therefore, close more sales? - Do you use a full-color artwork to add impact and differentiate from other business cards in your prospect's Rolodex? - Do you show your photo to remind your prospects who you are? - Do you have your slogan on the front, close to your business name or logo, to communicate what your business and positioning are? - Do you have a slogan at all?If your answer to two or more of my questions is NO, then sorry but… your business card sucks.Don't get mad at yourself now. It's not your fault. Business cards have been used for the last 100 hundred years not as a sales tool but, on the contrary, just as a formality and a way to give out your phone and e-mail.Still, a well-thought-out business card is one of the most powerful - yet inexpensive - sales tools you could use to boost your sales and profits almost overnight.To transform your business cards into a sales tool all you need to know is: How to Create and How to Use business cards that sell.HOW TO CREATE BIZ CARDS THAT SELL:You create the best Shocking Offer to promote your business and you print it on the back of your business cards.Do you know what a shocking offer is and how to create the one that's right for you?A shocking offer is so outrageously beneficial for your prosp
Gen 2 specifies basic RFID communications performance required for common supply chain business processes. However, although companies within the same sector have similar information needs as their competitors and have comparable business practices, usage environments will be very different depending on age and design of the assembly / manufacturing facility, geography and culture. Gen 2 or any RFID technology won't provide exactly the same performance at any two facilities. That is why it is important to understand the difference between what Gen 2 specifies and the range of performance that Gen 2 compliant products can provide.
What next?
RFID does not need to be as complicated or as daunting as some of the industry players would have you believe. Just because the technology exists it does not need to be used to maximum capacity throughout all supply chains. The following factors are considered to be key when moving forward:
• Do not overcomplicate the technology; use what is suitable to meet your objectives.
• Ensure the correct partner (system integrator / provider) is engaged from the outset.
• Ensure that the systems chosen can move with technology
• The pilot scheme is just that - it will need development
RFID system planning is crucial to its success but can on its own be a major task. This combined with the fact that you may have little or no RFID expertise internally can prevent you from taking your first steps to deciding if RFID is suitable to you and your business. Gideon Hillman Consulting can assist you with knowledge and experienced based RFID system planning and help you design a project plan with specific focus on:
-Project Objectives & Scope
-Resource Requirements
-Project Stages and Timescale
-Project Milestones
-Integrator / Supplier Choice
-Regular Technical Reviews
Investment into planning and consultative project management at the outset can negate over investment and additional cost in the longer term.
RFID Terminology:
ASN – Advanced Shipping Notice – notification between vendor and customer of parts due or
to be delivered.
Agile reader - An RFID reader that can read tags operating at different frequencies or
different communication protocols.
Air interface protocol - The standards that govern how RFID tags and readers
communicate.
Anti-collision - Anti-collision algorithms are used to collect data from multiple RFID tags at
the same time from the same RFID reader without interference.
Auto-ID Centre - The original non-profit organisation that helped develop RFID system
technology. This work is now continued by EPCglobal.
Backscatter - The communication method between a passive RFID tag and a reader. An RF
signal sent by a reader is reflected back to the reader from the tag, which is modulated to
transmit data.
Beacon - An active or semi-passive RFID tag that is programmed to wake up and broadcast
a signal at pre-set intervals.
Commissioning - Writing data to an RFID tag for the first time. This can happen at the
factory or later using a smart label printer.
Concentrator - A device used to gather data from multiple RFID readers at the same time.
Contactless smart card - A credit card or buyer card that contains an RFID chip to transmit
information without having to be swiped through a reader.
EPC – Electronic Product Codes
EPCglobal - The organisation set up to commercialise RFID technology, which has taken
over this task from the Auto-ID Centre.
Far-field communication - An RFID tag that is located one full wavelength away from an
RFID reader.
HHT – Hand Held Terminal – portable handheld RFID reader which operators can carry to
manually interrogate RFID tags
Inductive coupling. - An RFID reader antenna and a tag antenna each have a coil, which
together form a magnetic field. The RFID tag draws electrical energy from this field, which
powers its microchip. The microchip then changes the electrical characteristics of the tag
antenna. These changes are sensed up by the reader antenna and converted into a serial
number for the RFID tag.
Interrogator - Another name for an RFID reader.
KPIs – Key Performance Indicators – used in performance benchmarking processes
License plate - A simple RFID system that only tracks RFID tag serial numbers and no other
information.
Middleware - In the context of an RFID system, refers to software that is used to filter RFID
data and pass on useful information to enterprise software applications for further processing.
Moores Law - The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the
number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled ever
The world is dividing into two and customer service providers need to know which camp they belong to.I work mainly with retailers and the selling game is rapidly changing. Customers are either wanting to save time or savour time and your customer service will be judged on how you read your customers and which of the above two concept you adopt.Let me explain, generally, when customers are in their ‘save time’ mode, they are buying a commodity and price is a major issue. If I’m a commodity shopper, I’ll tolerate low customer service levels and often will expect it. Commodity retailers include supermarkets, department stores and large hardware retailers. If customers get good customer service when commodity buying, they are often surprised.When you and I are looking for an experience, we expect high levels of customer service and will complain if we are not receiving it. When experience shopping, price is not the key issue. We are savour time and the experience is the key issue.Remember, the product can stay the same. You can buy an apple as a commodity from the supermarket or as an experience at a farmers market. You can buy a coffee at a fast-food outlet or as an experience at Starbucks.The amount of input you put into customer service depends on where you see your business in the marketplace, but don’t get squeezed in the middle either, sell me a commodity or sell me an experience!
Air interface protocol - The standards that govern how RFID tags and readers communicate.
Anti-collision - Anti-collision algorithms are used to collect data from multiple RFID tags at the same time from the same RFID reader without interference.
Auto-ID Centre - The original non-profit organisation that helped develop RFID system technology. This work is now continued by EPCglobal.
Backscatter - The communication method between a passive RFID tag and a reader. An RF signal sent by a reader is reflected back to the reader from the tag, which is modulated to transmit data.
Beacon - An active or semi-passive RFID tag that is programmed to wake up and broadcast a signal at pre-set intervals.
Commissioning - Writing data to an RFID tag for the first time. This can happen at the factory or later using a smart label printer.
Concentrator - A device used to gather data from multiple RFID readers at the same time. Contactless smart card - A credit card or buyer card that contains an RFID chip to transmit information without having to be swiped through a reader.
EPC – Electronic Product Codes
EPCglobal - The organisation set up to commercialise RFID technology, which has taken over this task from the Auto-ID Centre.
Far-field communication - An RFID tag that is located one full wavelength away from an RFID reader.
HHT – Hand Held Terminal – portable handheld RFID reader which operators can carry to manually interrogate RFID tags
Inductive coupling. - An RFID reader antenna and a tag antenna each have a coil, which together form a magnetic field. The RFID tag draws electrical energy from this field, which powers its microchip. The microchip then changes the electrical characteristics of the tag antenna. These changes are sensed up by the reader antenna and converted into a serial number for the RFID tag.
Interrogator - Another name for an RFID reader.
KPIs – Key Performance Indicators – used in performance benchmarking processes
License plate - A simple RFID system that only tracks RFID tag serial numbers and no other information.
Middleware - In the context of an RFID system, refers to software that is used to filter RFID data and pass on useful information to enterprise software applications for further processing.
Moores Law - The observation made in 1965 by Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits had doubled every year since the integrated circuit was invented. Moore predicted that this trend would continue for the foreseeable future. In subsequent years, the pace slowed down a bit, but data density has doubled approximately every 18 months, and this is the current definition of Moore's Law.
Passive tag - An RFID tag without a power source or transmitter. Radio waves from an RFID reader are collected from the RFID tag antenna, which powers up the microchip in the tag. The tag is then able to send back information stored in the chip to the reader.
Phantom read - When a RFID reader reports the presence of a tag that doesn't exist.
RFID reader - A device used to communicate with RFID tags. The reader has one or more antennas, which emit radio waves and receive signals back from the tag. The reader is also sometimes called an interrogator because it "interrogates" the tag.
RFID tag - A microchip attached to an antenna in a package. An RFID tag contains a unique serial number at a minimum, but commonly contains other information about a product. RFID tags can be passive, semi-passive or active.
Semi-passive tags - Similar to active RFID tags, but the battery is used only to run the RFID chip - not to broadcast a signal to a reader.
Slap and ship - Placing an RFID tag on a case or pallet just before it is shipped from a supplier. Used to meet a retailer's requirements.
Smart label - A bar-code label that contains an RFID tag.
Transponder. A radio-frequency transmitter-receiver combo. Another term for a RFID tag.
Write-once, read-many (WORM) - A RFID tag that can be written to (changed) only once by a reader. Afterward, the tag can only be read.
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