RFID helps reduce one of the least enjoyable aspects of customer experiences: standing in line at the checkout. In addition, it enables retailers to monitor shoplifting trends and build cases against thieves with authorities.
RFID tags don’t have to be in full view for scanning; they can hold more data and have longer read ranges than traditional labels.
They are easy to read.
Long checkout lines have long been one of the biggest complaints about grocery shopping, but that could all change with RFID tags as an alternative to UPC bar codes. These smart labels, known as radio frequency identification chips, communicate directly with electronic readers to ring up each item instantly in your cart almost instantaneously and track each one through its supply chain, telling you where it came from and who produced it.
RFID tags can easily be scanned from any angle without needing line-of-sight visibility, with greater data storage capacity and physical shielding protection against tampering. Furthermore, they can withstand the high temperatures an autoclave generates for sterilising laboratory tools and equipment.
RFID stickers can be an invaluable asset to retailers in helping prevent theft and reduce labour costs. By pairing asset tracking data with video footage, retailers can identify shoplifting trends and prosecute suspected thieves more efficiently – not to mention find misplaced high-value items, like computers or tools, more quickly!
Event organisers can use RFID technology to accelerate ticket fulfilment and get attendees into their venue more quickly. Staff can assign RFID badges or wristbands on-site, avoiding confusion for last-minute buyers and enabling them to begin enjoying the event immediately. They may also gain insight into how attendees navigate the event, providing opportunities to adjust future events accordingly.
They are durable
RFID stickers provide more reliable tracking solutions than barcodes due to their long lifespan and versatility of application—from retail inventory management and warehouse operations to tolling taxes collection on vehicles and tolling taxes calculation. Furthermore, unlike traditional barcodes, which must be read directly at close range using electromagnetic fields, RFID tags can be read remotely, allowing inventory tracking from manufacture through distribution and retail without touching an item every step of the way.
Not only are some RFID labels durable but they’re also certified for explosive environments. Certifications such as ATEX and IECEx show that these tags can safely operate in specific environments – for instance, medical sample vials may be stored under liquid nitrogen conditions and require tags capable of withstanding extreme temperatures.
Unlike barcodes vulnerable to damage, RFID stickers are designed to withstand harsh environments and heavy use without succumbing to wear-and-tear damage. Their small size and low weight make them suitable for curved surfaces; moreover, data can be encoded onto them. It enables quicker item processing while simultaneously decreasing risk.
They are affordable
RFID is an affordable technology that allows organisations to track, monitor and manage products, equipment and assets more easily while cutting labour costs and risk. RFID has quickly gained momentum across industries including retail, pharma, manufacturing and field service – as it helps prevent the theft of company-owned inventory or equipment.
There are various kinds of RFID tags. Passive tags rely on electromagnetic fields outside to trigger their integrated circuits, costing as little as a few cents each. Active tags that require batteries for power have a more extended reading range but may be more costly.
Some RFID tags can be printed with a Universal Product Code (UPC) or European Article Number (EAN). It makes them popular for tracking items in warehouses and supermarkets and vehicle and container transportation services such as highway toll pass cards or subway passes. Furthermore, RFID tags offer durability over barcodes by being read without direct contact being necessary.
Certain tags can be designed to withstand harsh chemicals or solvents, making them suitable for medical and scientific items such as test tubes and paraffin wax blocks. Pharmaceutical manufacturers, for instance, often employ chemical-resistant RFID labels in their products; these can withstand immersion into mixtures containing alcohols, xylene, formalin and methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). They’re also helpful in protecting data against tampering or accidental damage.
They are easy to customise
RFID labels may seem straightforward enough, but there’s more involved than simply printing on them. They require unique identifiers and product codes written directly into their inlay IC to create what’s known as encoding – which ALT offers as part of its complete label solution service.