Understanding RFID and the Benefits of Implementing RFID for Industry

In industrial development, technology is needed to improve efficiency and automatic identification of operations. One of those technology is RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) which utilizes radio waves to store and retrieve data without direct contact. RFID Implementation will help you read data simultaneously in large quantities up to 100-200 assets.

Previously, in the identification field, barcode technology had existed before RFID technology, but in the study conducted by several business sectors, the RFID tags demand would be increasing much faster than barcode technology in RFID implementation.

For this reason, RFID and Barcode Technology have their respective roles and requirements, so we must tailor them according to the industry type and business processes.

The difference between RFID and Barcode is in the Identification process. RFID identification requires two devices, namely RFID TAG and RFID READER.

Based on its resources, RFID TAG is divided into:

  • Passive RFID Tags

Passive Tag is using a magnetic field generated by radio waves from the RFID tag reader as its resource and the information data transmission is shorter (< 20 meters).

  • Active RFID Tags Active RFID Tag is a Tag with a battery as its power source and the data information transmission can be further (+/- 100 meters).

RFID uses radiofrequency waves to store and retrieve data. RFID will be connected if it is on the same frequency as the tag. Currently, there are 4 types of frequency bands for RFID, namely :

  • Low-Frequency tags (between 125 to 134 kHz)

This frequency is usually used for animal tracking purposes, tracking an asset and access doors.

  • High-Frequency tags (13.56 MHz)

This frequency is generally used for access door purposes, payment instruments, and ID cards.

  • UHF tags (868 to 956 MHz)

This frequency is commonly used for tracking moving assets and pallet systems.  Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics permits UHF RFID at a 920MHz-923MHz frequency.

  • BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) at a frequency of 2.45 GHz.

Before implementing RFID in your industry, there are several tips that ACS Group summarizes in implementing RFID:

  • RFID is not a security tool

RFID tags have an add-on characteristic whereas they are affixed to the assets. This does not guarantee RFID accountability as a security tool unless the tag is planted within the product.

RFID will be more effective if utilized in a close loop area because it can be rewritten 100,000 times.

RFID must be used continuously. Single-use RFID results in expensive economic value.

  • Read distance of RFID Determining RFID quality cannot only be assessed from the reading distance. The effectiveness of RFID reading distance will also depends on the business process.

RFID implementation has become vital because its only need to use codes or tags for identification to retrieve data automatically without physical contact. Furthermore, RFID implementation will increase storing or tracking data information effectiveness. Companies can calculate all of their assets within a few seconds with RFID. It will save a lot of money and energy.

Contact us ACS Group as a pioneer of Auto-Identification and a leader in Auto-Identification solutions and barcode systems since 1991 for RFID Implementation to increase efficiency and productivity of your business and organization.

For more detailed information, please watch ACS Group’s youtube video “Perkembangan & Manfaat RFID dan Barcode Untuk Industri”