Explaning RFID Is Not An Easy Task

There is no easy way to explain RFID but this is the easiest way I can think of in easy to understand for the common person that has no clue what RFID is.

RFID technology is used frequently today, but not many people know about, or even know what it is never mind understand it. RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification and is used to store and retrieve information. This information is stored and retrieved using RFID tags or transponders. These tags are small and can be incorporated into many products. The tags have antennas that allow them to receive and respond to radio-frequency queries from an RFID transceiver.

The RFID industry is currently undergoing speedy growth and orgasmic changes. Market research firms forecast the market for products and services will intensity to the $7 billion range by 2008. With mandates from both distinguished retailers and government entities, many more companies are ready to infuse on the RFID technology journey.

How Does It Work

RFID works off of a system that relies on tags, tag readers, tag programming stations, sorting equipment, circulation readers, and tag inventory wands. RFID is generally used in security, because security gates are programmed to read the RFID tags and then either open or close accordingly. The system helps the information be easily transmitted via an RFID device. Systems have evolved over the years along with Generation 2 chips. The hope is that it will one day be available to everyone (meaning consumers) because it will be more efficient and cost effective to implement RFID processes.

There are two types of RFID tags:

*Passive tags do not have their own power supply, but rather receive their power from a tiny electrical current present in the antenna that is induced by an incoming radio frequency scan. These tags are good for a short distance tracking solution.

*Active RFID tags have a power source and therefore are much stronger and can be used over larger distances and are therefore more highly effective. Active tags also have the ability to store more information than their passive counterparts. Some active tags have a battery life of up to ten years.

Where is RFID Used?

RFID can be found almost everywhere. It can even be found in your local Wal-Mart or other big brand retailers. The little alarm that sounds if an item has not been scanned is made possible by a chip. These chips are also found on car alarms,and even animal tags. One other use of this solution is to track and detect motion. This could be very useful in the coming years in terms of prisons. This technology will be employed in many states in the coming years.

Who knew that this technology was so simple to learn.

Wal-mart is still on board with RFID

I was just reading the finacial times and they had a large article talking about RFID and what companies are using this and if they are expanding or not.

It seems that since the price of generation 2 tags have come into play there is more and more merchants getting on the RFID bandwagon. They mentioned a few companies like Wal-mart, and Proctor and Gamble that have seen an increase in inventory tracking and planning on expanding.

The guy in charge of implementing RFID with Wal-mart was explaining how much better they got their shipments into their customers hands during the holiday season. With better tracking on their end in the warehouses they know when to order more items from their suppliers so their stores and order shipping can have the items in stock.