RFID is a term that has received a lot of attention in recent years, but what is RFID? In this article, we explain exactly what it is, how it works and why it is so popular.
RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification, and this technology consists of RFID tags that can communicate with each other via an electromagnetic field. An RFID chip can transmit and receive radio waves, allowing communication to take place. It is possible to put certain data on an RFID tag. This data can be sent when the chip is scanned. Some chips can even cover a distance of 8 meters. A popular form of RFID is NFC technology. This chip can only communicate at a short distance, about up to 10 centimeters. This makes this technology suitable for payment.
The technology sounds quite simple to the ears, but it brings enormous changes. Physical products can easily be linked via RFID chips, making all kinds of business processes more efficient. In the next paragraph, we zoom in on these possibilities.
The tag, which is often small and placed on a product or item, contains unique data that can be retrieved by the reader. The reader sends out a radio frequency signal and receives the tag's information over the same frequency. This makes it possible to automate the identification and tracking of products or assets.
RFID is also known as the new bar code. The technology has many similarities, yet is quite different. A barcode must be physically scanned from a short distance. It must be completely visible, otherwise the code cannot be scanned. In addition, you can only scan one barcode at a time. Finally, a barcode is easy to manipulate for people who want to do harm with it. An RFID chip, on the other hand, can be scanned at a distance of up to 8 meters. In addition, you don't have a tag, so the chip doesn't have to be visible during scanning. Also, multiple chips can be scanned at the same time and cannot be manipulated.
There are all kinds of applications possible with RFID technology. Below I explain some of the key applications:
RFID tags make inventory a lot easier. For example, you can tag all products. This is useful for checkout. A nice example is the Decathlon. They use RFID tags and self-scanning checkouts. All products contain a tag. At the self-scanning checkout, you put all the products in a large bin. Then the products are scanned simultaneously and you can checkout immediately. The store's inventory is automatically tracked by the system. As a result, you know exactly what is in the store and what is going out. Because you can monitor inventory exactly, you can easily identify and deter theft.
Do you have a business and want an easy way to track the hours of your employees without having to block them yourself? Then RFID chips offer the solution for you. Give each employee an RFID keychain and link a system to the chips. You can give the chips a special name. This way you can see exactly when an employee checked in and then checked out.
Also, RFID is perfect to use for security systems. With these chips, you can easily turn the alarm on and off. Or open a gate, for example. We see many gyms using RFID technology. To get through the gates you have to bring a pass or drop. Once the chip is scanned the gates open. This method is also commonly used at ski elevators.
Did you order something? Or do you want to ship something? Stick an RFID label on the product. Then you can accurately track the product. When the product arrives at the courier, this is registered in the software. Has the product arrived at the airport, this is also registered. So you always know where the product is and can estimate when it arrives.
For machines and cars, for example, it is very easy to keep track of maintenance history using RFID chips. As soon as maintenance has been performed, it can be recorded on the chip. This way you always have insight into when maintenance was performed and what exactly happened.
As you have read in this article, RFID has brought about many changes. These are just some of the important capabilities of RFID. Many more applications are possible.
Before you can get started with RFID, you need certain products. Obviously, you need RFID tags. These come in all kinds of varieties. Think key chains, labels, cards and tags. Keep in mind what you are going to attach the RFID tags to. This is because there are special tags with properties that are resistant to water and high or low temperatures. In addition, you will need an RFID reader. This allows you to read and write to the chip. Without an RFID scanner you cannot program RFID tags. If you have all this in house then you can get started.
Buy RFID tagsRFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and is a technology consisting of RFID tags that can communicate with each other through an electromagnetic field. An RFID chip can transmit and receive radio waves and this makes it possible to put certain data on an RFID tag. This data can be sent when the chip is scanned. RFID can communicate over a distance of up to 8 meters and NFC technology can only communicate at short distances, about up to 10 centimeters.
An RFID tag, which is often small and placed on a product or item, contains unique data that can be retrieved by the reader. The reader sends out a radio frequency signal and receives the tag's information over the same frequency. This makes it possible to automate the identification and tracking of products or assets.
RFID is also known as the new bar code. Both technologies have similarities, yet are quite different. A barcode must be physically scanned from a short distance. It must be completely visible or the code cannot be scanned. You can only scan one bar code at a time, and a bar code is easily manipulated by people who want to do harm with it. An RFID chip, on the other hand, can be scanned at a distance of up to 8 meters. No tag is required, and thus the chip need not be visible during scanning. Multiple chips can be scanned simultaneously and it is not possible to manipulate the chip.
There are a variety of applications possible with RFID technology. Examples of applications include inventory of products, timekeeping of employees, security and access to certain areas or systems and tracking of goods. For product inventory, it is possible to precisely monitor inventory and recognize and deter theft. For timekeeping, employees can be provided with an RFID key fob. Security systems can be operated with RFID chips, allowing alarms to be turned on and off. When tracking goods, RFID tags can be used to accurately track where an item is and where it is going.
This way we are more sustainable because we don't have to order 100's of paper business cards for our colleagues....
Matthee NiesingGreat customer service and beautiful end result. Talked to many colleagues about this and showed them how it works. I expect they will purchase the product as well 🙂 .
Marjet KappelleWe are very satisfied with our NFC business cards from NFC World. The dashboard is user-friendly and the cards are easy to use.
WesVery satisfied with the service of NFC World. They respond to email adequately, delivery is fast and service is good. Product is high quality as expected, can definitely recommend the product and company to anyone.
Tobias van RooijenGive your friends 20% off their next order. And we'll give you 20% off for every successful referral.
Invite friendsAll our products are subject to our terms and conditions. All prices include VAT and other taxes and exclude any shipping and service charges. You can read how we handle cookies in our privacy policy.