In the early days of RFID, RFID tags were placed haphazardly on the cases and packages with no thought on how it would affect the read range.  Now we know better!

We now know that there are locations on every package that are hostile to RF and others that are friendly.  This is important to not only the individual package, but also when the packages are stacked or in a line.  Why does this happen?  Packaging material and item materials play a major role.  For example, if you have a case of liquid laundry detergent, the tag will perform better when away from the liquid.  There is software that shows you the RF-friendly locations (in green) and the RF-hostile locations (in red).

This is a small but critical step in any RFID solution.  After all the time, money and resources utilized in the design and implementation of an RFID solution, wouldn't it be a shame if the warehouse personnel placed the tag right in that big red spot?

Next time I will discuss the challenges of metals and liquids.

Looking for just the right gift for Valentine's Day for the technology-savvy person in your life?  Well, check out your local Ford dealership...they now have trucks available with RFID to keep track of your tools and other assets!

According to RFIDUpdate, The newest mobile RFID reader is more than six feet wide, 17 feet long, weighs a few thousand pounds, and is known more for its horsepower than its MHz. Ford's popular F-150 pickup trucks are now available with an RFID reader integrated in the bed to monitor cargo. ...Ford Work Solutions is a series of software and services for vehicle, worker, and asset management. It is targeted to contractors and other customers who use their vehicles for work. The applications rely on an in-dash computer now offered as an option for 2009 model year F-150 and F-Series Super Duty pickups and E-Series vans....Customers receive a supply of specially designed Gen2 RFID tags to apply to the tools, toolboxes, containers, or other items they want to track.

So, how cool is that?  Your truck can actually track your assets for you and before you leave a site you can check to make sure you have everything you came with!

If this is a little out of your price range, remember that flowers, cards and chocolate work well too!  Happy Valentine's Day.

This is a three part series covering the three main pieces to an RFID system: 

Three main Components:

Hardware (1/3)     
Middleware (2/3)     
Back - End Software (3/3)

Middleware (2/3):     {Getting the Tag ID and Reader info. to your system}

All systems need to be equipped with a middleware application.  Middleware is software that talks to the RFID readers.  It is this application that bridges the RFID system.  The middleware connects the reader to possible back - end software , while managing the system data and business logic

Most middleware programs are add - ons to an application server. 

“An application server (or app server) is a component-based product that resides in the middle-tier of a server centric architecture. It provides middleware services for security, state maintenance, along with data access and persistence.”          (Courtesy of Barry and Associates)

Price becomes a factor when choosing the right middleware to use.  Larger companies who are already using advanced applications may be able to find an add-on or tool-kit for their system; however, a smaller company may need to look into the open-source market.

Integrating the RFID middleware is an extensive project that may require software solution consulting.



A few examples of RFID middleware apps. (* signifies open source)

** Blue Bean offers RFIDSimpleware which is an easy way to connect quickly and effectively to your RFID reader, they can further deliver middleware needs as required **

SunRFID* - Sun Microsystems 
Microsoft - Biz Talk  - Article Covering Business Aspects
Oracle* 
IBM Websphere
Singularity*

Wow, we have covered lots of ground on the different parts of the RFID system the additional components.  Now, let's talk about software.

RFID software makes reading and retrieving the tag data easier.  Products like BlueBean's RFIDSimpleware, which comes in a few different version for different readers, allows you to easily retrieve tag data without having to write any code yourself (hey, is that perfect for us non-techies or what?)

Other software, such as Integral RFID's Hotspot assists the user in determining the best place to place the tag on your products to optimize readability.

Once again, although not a necessary component of the RFID system, it certainly can make RFID implementation easier.

Stay tuned for more non-techie RFID talk coming to a blog near you soon!

We’ve talked about the necessary components of the RFID system – the reader, tags and antenna.  Now, let’s talk about some other components that enhance this system.  First, the RFID Portal.

 

The RFID portal is commonly placed around doorways, dock doors and conveyors.  Many portals come complete with the reader and antenna which are mounted on the portal.   When the tagged items pass through the portal, the RFID antenna reads the tags and sends the info to the reader (sound familiar).

 

Portals make it easy to RFID-enable shipping and receiving functions in a company and allow companies to easily track assets.  Another great component for finding the blue bean!

 

Ready for software?  We’ll talk about it next time…in non-techie lingo of course!

This is a three part series covering the three main pieces to an RFID system: 

Three main Components:

Hardware (1/3)     
Middleware (2/3)     
Back - End Software (3/3)


Hardware (1/3):
The hardware is the RF - analog side to the RFID system.  It is here where the tag information will be read and sent to the interrogator for analysis.

Readers:

Readers handle the tags and also manage the power, number of reads, and also I/O's that may be added to the system.

Readers come in many flavors and the right reader is a preference to the application’s needs.

- - An ALIEN 9800 reader is being used for my RFID project - -

Tags:

There are many ways to read and represent an RFID tag, and the technology continues to grow and advance.  The fundamental ways to read a tag is to have the tags passively or actively perform.  The active tag is equipped with an internal power source as to transmit who it is when it is needed.  The passive approach may use power from the reader, or could also manipulate the readers signal as to distinguish its identity.  Class 1 Generation 2 tags are a newer more secure class for tagging.

- - Class 1 Generation 2 is being used in the project - -

Antennas:

Antennas are what send and receive the RF information.  Most systems use at least two antennas to handle the transmitting and receiving.  The pattern of the antennas transmission and reception is design to get the most reads for the amount of power being used; providing the largest reception band possible.  The most popular pattern is a circular pattern, to create a spherical zone of interrogation.

Recently I was an expert moderator for a 400 level RFID class at a university and a student posted an interesting question:

"How do you communicate to upper management the benefits of using RFID?" 

This is a very good question.  I typically break down the benefits into three categories:

1. Intangibles - benefits of implementing a RFID system where no dollar savings can be calculated (Better costing, improved charge audit capabilities, improved job satisfaction...)

2. Soft Savings - you can calculate a dollar savings but it will not be used as part of the ROI calculation (i.e. improvement in nurses productivity by improving out of stocks so the nurse doesn't need to search for supplies - 5% improvement * 40 nurses = $210,000/yr in productivity.  This is a soft savings because the number of nurses does not decrease.)

3. Hard savings - you can calculate a savings and it will reduce expenses or increase revenue (reduction in inventory shrinkage, reduction in headcount....)

It is important to note that for some projects the soft savings could be included with the hard savings to calculate a ROI for the project.  The other part of the ROI calculation is the cost piece...RFID Equipment, RFID Middleware, RFID Tags, Consulting & Design Services.

The RFID Antenna is the last of the three necessaray components (the other two we already discussed -- the RFID reader and the RFID tag).

To put it simply, the RFID antenna is what "connects" the tag to the reader.  When a tag passes by the reader it is the antenna that transmits the tag's signal to the reader.

There are a few different types of antennas.  Linear antennas are used if the tags always pass by the reader in the same way.  Circular antennas are used if the orientation of the tag cannot be controlled.

So, now we have covered the three necessary components of an RFID system.  We'll talk about some other add-on components such as RFID portals, software and RFID printers in upcoming blogs.

As I have previously talked about, branding and company name are very important.  You want a name that is easy to remember and one that tells a story. 
Of course, this doesn't mean that somewhere out there that someone else didn't think of the same company name or using something similar.  Sometimes when we say "BlueBean" to someone they think we are a coffee shop (that would be some funky blue cofffee) or exercise equipment (have you seen the infomercial yet...you could have lost 20 pounds already!)

When one of my colleagues was looking for BlueBean online, he came across this video on YouTube when searching under "BlueBean."

Now I could be wrong but I don't think this "Blue Bean" can tell you which RFID reader you may need or which version of RFID middleware would work best for you.  But it just goes to show that you never know when someone else may use your company name for something that is totally unrelated to your company's purpose.

 

I guess that's the one of the challenges of marketing.

Until next time...

In the midst of all the rumors indicating Wal-Mart was scaling back or slowing its RFID ambitions the retail giant sends a strong signal that their plans for RFID is alive and well.  To date Wal-Mart has been slow to penalize suppliers that were tardy implementing RFID but that has all changed.  For the first time a division of Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, will required its suppliers to apply RFID tags to pallets by Jan. 31  or face a service fee for every pallet shipped without a pallet tag.  The fee will be $2 per pallet starting Feb. 1 and increasing to $3/pallet on Jan 1, 2009.

Make no mistake that Wal-Mart has done exactly what it wanted to accomplish when it announce its RFID mandate.  At the time of its announcement RFID Technology was immature and very expensive.  Suppliers were upset and for a good reason.  100% read accuracy was very difficult to attain and the RFID passive tags were $.70/ea.  Wal-Mart knew that they needed to accelerate the development of the next generation of RFID hardware and create the demand so hardware providers had the economies of scale to quickly drive down RFID tag and RFID reader prices.  Fast forward to Jan 2008 and RFID tag prices are around $.10/ea and the Gen2 standard has become widely accepted.  100% pallet & case level readability is easily achievable. 

What’s next for the retail giant?  Well with RFID tag prices heading lower Wal-Mart is considering just when to push the RFID tagging requirement down to the item level.  That decision has already been made at Sam’s Club.  They will require suppliers to apply RFID tags at the item level for shipments to the DeSoto DC and related stores by Oct. 31, 2009.

Wal-Mart has executed its RFID grand plan with perfection and has shown why it has the most efficient supply chain in the world.

There are many form factors for Active RFID Tags. In the past there was typically a "one size fits all mentality" when it came to Active RFID Tags. The life and performance was also over promised and under delivered....that is until now.

There is a new generation of active RFID tags that finally lives up to the hype. Excellent battery life and affordable! Depending on the type of tag and quantity you can expect to pay between $15-$45.

The development tools have also improved.  For developers there are SDK's and middleware that eliminates the need to write low level software code thus reducing the time it takes to develop applications and solutions.

Domino Tag
		The Domino Tag is ideally suited for use on non-metallic assets for general tracking or movement monitoring purposes. The tag has a polycarbonate coated external antenna. The tag can incorporate a motion sensor and has an anti-tamper facility.

Frame Mount Tag
	The Frame Mount tag is suited for asset tracking and monitoring where the tag is required to be attached to tubular frames (including metal frames), such as roll cages, bicycles etc. The tag has an anti-tamper facility.

Personnel Tag
		For use with all personnel monitoring applications such as dynamic mustering and health and safety compliance. The tag can incorporate a motion sensor and has an anti-tamper facility. The tag can also incorporate certain access control card chips allowing dual functionality.

Key Fob Tag
		For use with personnel applications where the tag can be secured to a key chain etc. The tag also includes a push button that can be used to raise an alert in the event of an emergency or allow for user initiated transmissions.

Asset Tag
		The Asset Tag is ideal for use on all types of assets (including those made from metal) for general tracking and monitoring applications. The tag can incorporate a motion sensor and has an anti-tamper facility.

Industrial Asset Tag
		The Industrial Asset Tag is ideally suited for heavy duty or external asset or vehicle tracking and monitoring applications that require a rugged, waterproof tag. The tag is ideally suited for operating on metallic surfaces or on plastics containing a high metal content. The tag has an anti-tamper facility.

Small Asset Tag
	The Small Asset Tag is specially designed for use in asset tagging applications where a smaller tag is required, such as for tracking and monitoring laptops, IT equipment and transport media. The Small Asset Tag is ideally suited for operating on metallic surfaces or plastics containing a high metal content. The tag can incorporate a motion sensor and has an anti-tamper facility.

It seems like every other day their is an article or a news story about how a bank, retailer or some company had a notebook stolen or lost with millions of peoples social security and credit card numbers.  The question I would ask these companies is why haven't they invested in an active RFID system to help them manage this risk.

Active RFID solutions have recently become cost effective and the technology reliable.  BlueBean has recently been Active RFID Certified and have developed a framework for tracking notebooks.  This is much more then "asset management".  The RFID solution must provide real-time notification of events like when a unauthorized notebook is removed from an office or building.  The solution can also include a camera to take a photo each time a notebook is moved in or out of a doorway.

A typically notebook tracking solution has several key components:

1. Active RFID Tag	2. Active RFID Reader

3. Database
4. Application (Business Logic)
5. Real time notification engine (email, text message, log file...)

Active RFID Tag prices have dropped significantly over the last 12 months and the batter life can last 5+ years. 

The bottom line is this RFID technology is ready and the price point makes the solution affordable. So.......all you companies that have my private data please invest in securing your notebooks so I won't find out that I was charge $1000 for buying on some exoctic leather slippers that were shipped to some country that I have never heard of !!!!!!