RFID Implementation

RFID Implementation

Once a company decides to use RFID, the most important step in the process is being able to successfully gather the data and manipulate it into meaningful information. Doing this as effectively and efficiently as possible requires a proper RFID implementation, which for many reasons, can prove to be the most difficult stage of the entire process. A company new to RFID will find that many changes have to take place to make sure the implementation is as successful as possible. Ensuring a successful implementation involves changes in all fundamental areas of the company, including their systems and products (Zebra Technologies). While these changes will prove to be difficult, many companies find that they can conduct business much more effectively after the implementation of RFID.

There are many things a company should consider before implementing an RFID system. It is important to determine the use of the system before it is put into place. For example, a company should set specific goals for what they expect the system to do for them once implemented. Determining this early in the process will help to pinpoint the most useful data once it is being gathered by the system. In addition, it’s important to map out requirements of the system over a set timeframe. It is helpful to have near-term goals just after the implementation, as well as long-term organization goals for the company about how the RFID system will help them over time (Implementing RFID). Since RFID implementation is very costly, it is also important to know the setup of the system before implementation. Knowing the setup involves understanding the key elements needed for the process. These include the tags, readers, sensors, and other software changes to make sure all existing systems are able to receive RFID generated data (Zebra Technologies). Another helpful thing to remember during implementation is to share implementation plans with the trading partners of the company. This way, any business partners will be ready to expect changes when dealing with the exchange of products and information (EPCglobal). Finally, one of the most important steps is to understand the importance of RFID middleware within the implementation process and its benefits for company.

Middleware

RFID middleware is responsible for filtering and managing the flow of data between tag readers and appl...

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...telligent Agents 101).

Intelligent agents are currently being used for a number of business processes today including electronic commerce, process and workflow automation, and in numerous Internet applications (Intelligent Agents 101). Known for their secure transfer of data, intelligent agents are becoming a valuable key to reliable RFID implementations. Not only will this technology allow for secure data transfers, but they can occur throughout all processes within the company and can interpret the large amounts of data being read by the system. In doing all this, the intelligent agents are also able to reduce the overall system load for quicker response time and produce results in a near real-time manner.

Bibliography

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Transponder News. Motorola announces BiStatix 125KHz RFID tag. 2 March 1999.

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UPM Refsec. Tutorial overview of inductively coupled RFID Systems May 2003.

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