Radio frequency identification (RID) is one of the most promising and anticipated technologies in recent years. Magazine articles, television shows, analyst papers and the like are frequently trumpeting the potential benefits to users of RID. The stakes for RID implementations are high � for both expenditures and benefits. A company arming itself with a good understanding of the technology and important considerations can ensure that the decisions made will minimize any missteps and maximize your experience.
Manufacturers, retailers, logistics providers and government agencies are making unprecedented use of RID technology to track, secure and manage items from the time they are raw materials through the entire life of the product. Manufacturers can especially benefit from RID because the technology can make internal processes more efficient and improve supply chain responsiveness � for example, early RID adopters in the consumer goods industry reduced supply chain costs between three and five percent and increased revenue between two and seven percent because of the added visibility RID provided, according to a study by AMR Research.
Many drivers have seen RID in action at automatic toll collection stations used at bridges, tunnels and turnpikes. In business, RID is commonly used to identify pallets, containers, vehicles, tools and other assets; monitor inventory; and route materials through production processes.
Standards
To spell out a successful RID strategy, shipping executives should primarily concern themselves with what is happening with electronic product code (EPC) and the ISO. EPC was developed by the Auto-ID Center at MIT, and was recently transferred to EPCglobal, a new organization formed by the Uniform Code Council (UCC) and EAN International. ISO stands for the Brussels- International Organization for Standardization, the farthest-reaching and most respected standards organization.
Here is a brief overview of the EPC and ISO activity most likely to impact retail supply chain and in-store operations.
EPC
EPC is not a standard; it is the result of a private development effort started at MIT and is backed by many. Leading companies must provide EPC-compliant RID tags on merchandise shipments by 2005. An EPC is a 96-bit number that can uniquely identify consumer goods (and other objects) at the item level.
How the RID communication is handled is covered by several different specifications. Here is a brief overview:
� EPC UHF Class 0 specifies a factory-programmed (non-rewriteable) tag that operates in the 860-930 MHz frequency range.
� EPC UHF Class 1 tags are one-time programmable (OTP, which means data on the tag can be updated one time in the supply chain after the tag is initially programmed) and operate in the 860-930 MHz range.
� EPC HF Class 1 tags operate at 13.56 MHz and have the same data and programming characteristics as the UHF version.
ISO
By definition, ISO standards can be used anywhere in the world. Some ISO RID standards efforts closely parallel the EPC initiative, while others go beyond to specify how RID can be used for a variety of other logistics and security applications.
� The ISO 18000 series is a set of proposed RID specifications for item management that could be ratified as standards during 2004. ISO 18000-Part 6 solves the frequency problems associated with the original EPC Class 1 UHF specification. RID tags that comply with ISO 18000 specifications can carry information that follows the structure set forth in the EPC specifications, enabling users to take advantage of the EPC numbering system while enjoying the interoperability and protection that open international standards afford.
� Draft ISO standards 17363 through 17368 define how RID can be used to identify different types of logistics containers and packaging in addition to individual items.
� ANSI MH10.8.4 is a US national standard for returnable container identification that is compatible with the corresponding ISO draft standard, 17364.
� ISO 18185 is a draft RID standard that is used for electronic container seals for logistics security.
The different available frequencies, tag and reader designs give users many choices to consider when planning an RID application. Finding the right combination of features is fairly straightforward once users begin to plan their applications and develop an understanding of their needs and goals.
Dan Bodnar is director of Data Capture for Intermec Technologies, a leader in global supply chain solutions and in the development, manufacture and integration of wired and wireless automated data collection, Intellitag RID and mobile computing systems. For additional information, contact Intermec Technologies at www.intermec.com or call 800-347-2636.
