What is RFID?
An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system typically consists of a radio-enabled device that communicates with or interrogates a tag or label, which is embedded with a single chip processor and an antenna.

The "interrogator" or RFID reader can be fixed or portable, just like barcode scanners. The tag itself is an extension of the bar code labels you see everywhere today, but with more intelligence.

The advantage of these more "intelligent " systems is that,unlike barcode tracking systems, an RFID system can read the information on a tag without requiring line of sight or a particular orientation. This means that RFID systems can be largely automated, reducing the need for manual scanning.

The RFID Selection Check List

Frequency Range
RFID products currently on the market operate at a variety of frequencies, with each frequency targeted for specific geographical regions, applications and performance requirements. When selecting a tag or insert,you must first consider the general performance characteristics and the regulatory requirements associated with the permitted frequencies for your region of operation. Intermec 's Intellitag ®integrated circuit (IC)possesses frequency agility, allowing for operation at 2450 MHz,869 MHz and 915 MHz with a single design. The actual frequency of operation for a particular tag or insert is determined by the tag 's antenna design, but the same IC can be used regardless of which frequency is desired. This allows Intermec and its partners to provide RFID solutions in any region of the world.

Read/Write vs. Read-only Technology
With the ability to write comes the ability to dynamically change data stored on the tag. Flexibility is key, especially as business operations, information needs, industry standards, customer requirements and other variables change over time. Once a read-only RFID tag is programmed,the data cannot be altered for the life of the tag. Therefore, Intermec recommends the use of read/write technology. This allows you to alter the data content of the tag according to your specific needs. And if desired, you can permanently lock the data on a byte-by-byte basis at the time and place of your choosing. All Intermec Intellitag tags and inserts utilize read/write technology.

Range Performance
A tag 's read range performance is usually considered the primary gauge of its suitability for a particular application. However, not all applications require maximum range. Many of Intermec's tag and insert designs, though optimized for maximum performance on specific materials, are often used with other materials for applications requiring less than optimal read range, or where greater range may actually be detrimental. Write range for Intermec's tags is approximately 70% of the read range.

Form Factor
While range performance is often viewed as the best gauge for a tag design, the tag form factor cannot be over-looked. The general rule of thumb suggests that larger tags provide better range performance. Yet large tags are not always suitable for every application and it often becomes necessary to balance your choice between the tag size and its range performance. Intermec has developed a portfolio of tag and insert designs that utilize state of the art materials to provide a wide range of options for combining size and performance.

Environmental Conditions
How and where the tag or insert will be used plays a significant role in determining the right tag for your application. Performance will differ depending on what materials are adjacent to the tag. Other environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity may also affect performance. Intermec's Intellitag tags and inserts are available in a variety of designs and use materials capable of surviving even the harshest environments.

Standards Compliance
As with barcode technology, standards play an important role in the selection of RFID technology. Intermec maintains an active presence within the worldwide RFID standards community and will continue to develop products that meet existing and emerging standards, including the expected EPC Class 2 requirements. This ensures compatibility and interoperability with other products meeting these standards and protects your investment against premature obsolescence. Intermec's Intellitag tags and inserts comply with all relevant adopted and emerging national and international standards. Tag Types & Specifications

Tag Selection Chart - PDF Format
Click on to learn about all the tags available and the read ranges.

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Reality Check: Debunking the 10 Biggest Myths of RFID

Updated: October 28, 2004

By Greg Gilbert, Director of RFID Solutions and Strategy, Manhattan Associates

This article was previously published in Retailspeak Magazine

With mass speculation and widespread news surrounding the evolution of radio frequency identification (RFID) standards, it’s little wonder that the topic has received a sensationalistic spin akin to Y2K. Frenzied companies, eager to adopt or comply, are scrambling for answers. Instead, they find themselves confused amid fast-breaking updates about electronic product code (EPC) standards and various companies’ latest compliance requirements.

It’s time to set the record straight and offer executives some truths about the reality of RFID. Debunking the myths, misconceptions and mysteries surrounding RFID will help put it in proper perspective and save wasted hours and euros searching for misguided answers.-

Myth 1: There Are no Set Standards for RFID Today

Truth: GTAG? ISO 18006.A? ISO 18006.B? Gen 2 EPC? The acronym soup has thickened into a murky layer of complexity, further complicated by some vendors’ claims of owning the standards. The fact is that there are several RFID standards today.

The major reason that the prior standards were never adopted on a broad scale was that the technology companies were the main drivers of these standards. They had a solution and were seeking a problem to address. EPC standards, however, were developed by end user companies to ensure that the technology developed addressed a specific business need.

Recent rumors regarding the Global Proposal verses the Freedom Proposal within the EPC community, along with company lawsuits, have added to the uncertainty. EPCglobal is helping to define the standards for next-generation technology, but the big players—Wal-Mart, Metro, the U.S. department of Defense, and select Fortune 500 companies—are aggressively moving forward on the RFID adoption curve, and many have already implemented current-generation EPC technology.

Smaller businesses will likely take their cue from the industry leaders as RFID standards continue to evolve, emerge and ultimately become more entrenched.

Myth 2: Replacing Bar Code-Based Processes with RFID Processes Will Achieve ROI

Truth: Feeling the pressure to incorporate RFID into their manufacturing and logistics operations, some companies will tend to implement technology for technology’s sake. Buyer beware: Implementing RFID does not instantly guarantee a fast path to return on investment (ROI). To impact the bottom line, the decision to implement RFID must be linked to a definitive business goal.

For most companies, it is cost-prohibitive to convert to RFID on a broad scale. And, in some cases, it doesn’t make sense. For example, if your warehouse is reliably scanning bar-coded cartons on a conveyor as they are loaded onto a truck, switching this process to RFID doesn’t really buy you anything. Why? Because the labor savings resulting from replacing an automated bar code scan with RFID simply don’t amount to much.

However, if every carton is currently scanned manually, changing the process to automate the data capture could reduce labor requirements and increase facility throughput. In addition, if there are areas in which data is lacking, adding RFID can increase visibility and accuracy.

The reality: RFID technology isn’t new. It has been around for the past decade, whereas bar code technology has surpassed three decades. The promise of achieving greater ROI with RFID is not time-sensitive as many may believe; it is application-dependent.

Myth 3: RFID Benefits Only Retailers, Not Suppliers

Truth: While the RFID spotlight has clearly illuminated major retailers (Wal-Mart, Tesco, Metro, Target and Albertson’s), several major Fortune 500 suppliers including Procter & Gamble, Gillette, and others are driving toward RFID implementation across the supply chain.

Suppliers might not achieve incremental ROI, but there are benefits to be gained. As the Wal-Marts and Metros of the world implement new RFID requirements, suppliers—in their efforts to comply—must be prepared to execute the right technology strategy to serve their own business.

Suppliers should view RFID compliance as a means to capture more detailed inventory information, increase visibility throughout the supply chain and reduce the number of claims. For the first time, suppliers can use shared data to gain new insights, better source products to meet demand patterns, take preemptive corrective actions to avoid claims and better satisfy their customers’ needs. More satisfied customers and increased stocks in-store lead to more business.

Myth 4: RFID is the Only Way to Automate Manual Warehouse Receiving Processes

Truth: In certain cases, RFID may be appropriate for warehouse automation, but it is not the only solution. In fact, one of the biggest paybacks of evaluating potential RFID uses in the warehouse is that this investigation actually helps uncover big savings opportunities that don’t require RFID technology.

Savings can be significant for manufacturing companies that are looking to eliminate their labor-intensive, paper-based processes by automating the receiving function. Tagging of cases can be done with bar code (versus RFID) technology and still yield tangible ROI because the company has eliminated the potential for manual intervention and thus human error.

Another example is a manufacturer that bar codes pallets and scans them onto containers. If the company discovers that it never sends the advanced shipping notice (ASN) to the receiving warehouse, they’ve identified a gap that can be rectified and this can therefore lead to improved customer service. This scenario does not require RFID; rather, it involves the addition of a simple step to close the warehouse receiving process loop—an especially important link for capable-to-promise (CTP) manufacturers.

Myth 5: The EPC is an RFID Replacement of the Current Bar Codes (GTIN/UPC)

Truth: EPC used in RFID tags and bar coding are considered complementary data-capture technologies. Even with large-scale adoption of RFID, there will be a continued need for bar coding to coexist with RFID in the future.

While current bar coding offers the same number for every case of a given stock-keeping unit (SKU), EPC is a standard way to serialize all inventory. The unique attributes of RFID enable improved visibility into supply chain movements and history. With RFID technology, the level of information is deeper, allowing inventory to be tracked and data to be more freely shared between suppliers and retailers.

While RFID has the potential to offer a closer technical fit as well as operational benefits in certain applications, it will not serve as a replacement for bar codes. Both types of technology have a place in today’s fast-developing business environment.

Myth 6: Adoption of RFID Won’t Require Facility, Equipment and Process Changes

Truth: Incorporation of RFID will necessitate a new look at existing business processes. As emerging requirements and technological evolutions arise, companies will be forced to revisit their standard practices if they expect to gain new efficiencies.

They will need to ensure that there is a high level of compatibility in the integration of RFID within the facility—how the physical layout is organized, how labor is deployed, and even how the equipment itself is constructed. For example, a forklift truck may block the RFID signal at the reader level. The company might have to move the position of the signal reader or adjust the truck itself.

The good news is that this level of change can prompt even better practices that otherwise would not have occurred without the company’s consideration of RFID.

Myth 7: Only Companies with Metal and Liquid Products Face Readability Challenges

Truth: While early use of RFID poses obstacles when used with metal and liquids, the technology is continuing to evolve and undergo more rigorous testing, both in the lab and in the field. Companies are carrying forward lessons learned and best practices by continuously applying the science of physics to the art of RFID implementation.

There’s no substitute for testing RFID with your own products in your own environment. You need to make sure that you get a consistent read rate that meets your needs when applying RFID tags to your products, packaging and pallets. Experiment early and thoroughly test applications before making a large investment in an RFID solution.

Myth 8: Consistently Reading Every EPC on a Pallet is Easy

Truth: While using EPC tags beats scanning, it is not foolproof. So many variables can interfere with accurate and reliable read rates. These might include the size of boxes, the number of cases, travel speed, types of tags, tag placement, reader/ antenna placement and even the product mix itself. Where the actual tags are read is a key consideration. Avoid the need to physically break apart boxes to reveal the EPC label. The goal is to eliminate any inconsistencies and increase read rates, not drop-out rates.

Myth 9: All RFID Tags Are the Same

Truth: All RFID tags are not created equally. There are different types of tags for different applications, depending on the environment where RFID will be applied. Pharmaceutical, food, and hospital RFID applications, for example, require pristine and sanitary conditions that are vastly different from uses for RFID in an automotive factory or steel plant.

Use the following checklist to determine which types of RFID tags are most compatible with your unique business environment:

•	Read distance required
•	Frequency at which RFID tags operate/clarity of signal
•	Price that you can afford and still yield ROI
•	Compatibility with temperature/humidity
•	Type of product to which RFID tags are applied—wood, liquid, plastic, metal
•	Orientation of building layout

Myth 10: EPC Technology Can Only be used for Consumer Goods

Truth: While early use of EPC technology by the Auto-ID Center is focused on the consumer goods value chain, the technology was designed to allow for easy expansion into other industries.

The EPC code, as designed today, includes a header section that instructs other systems on how to interpret the remainder of the data on the tag. There are 256 possible schemas with the current eight-bit header. Currently, only five are in use. This leaves significant room for the addition of different encoding schemas, from NDC codes in pharmacy applications to automotive parts.

Conclusion

Your unique business environment will dictate your RFID requirements. Don’t be fooled by the existing hype about RFID. Remember that RFID doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing proposition. It can be implemented in phases and applied to specific projects to accurately gauge ROI benefits.

Learn from the early pioneers who are testing the waters and charting the course toward universal RFID standards. Now is the time to research the possibilities and understand the challenges before you earmark funds for forthcoming RFID hardware and software investments. Starting conservatively will enable you to progress at a comfortable pace that is right for your business.