There are two types of RFID tags: passive tags, powered by the electromagnetic energy from an RFID reader; and active, or self-powered tags. Both can be read at a distance. Passive tags can be read from 25 meters out and active tags can be read from a distance of more than100 meters. The tags can be embedded on or hidden within the asset, and multiple tags can be identified at once by a single reader. Ultrahigh-frequency RAIN RFID readers can detect upward of 1,000 tags per second.
These benefits explain why 52 percent of companies are increasing their investment in RFID sensors and automatic identification. Among those who don’t use RFID yet, 27 percent plan to adopt the technology by the end of 2023.
How Is RFID Used Across Industries?
RFID technology can be used in all types of organizations and industries, including aerospace, manufacturing and healthcare. RFID use cases generally fall within one of the following categories.
Tracking: Whether in a retail store, a manufacturing warehouse or a hospital, keeping track of inventory is essential to operational success. Inaccurate inventory tracking can result in erroneous reports about product performance; leave organizations unaware of employee theft or other shrinkage (a $94 billion problem in the U.S. alone); or, worse, stop a healthcare system from reordering lifesaving medicine. With easy, expansive and instant wireless tracking capabilities, RFID technology helps improve the accuracy and efficiency of inventory operations, eliminating the need for manual data entry (and the human error that often accompanies it) and providing real-time updates on the location and status of tagged objects.
Automation: Inventory tracking isn’t the only process RFID technology can automate. Have you ever used a contactless, near-field communication credit card for a tap-to-pay payment? NFC is actually a subset of RFID, and the technology has long been automating processes for consumers and producers.
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The tech can also be applied to self-checkout. Scanning products physically can be time-consuming, especially as barcode systems have an accuracy rate of only about 70 percent. By contrast, RFID can scan many objects all at once and guarantee up to 100 percent accuracy. With U.S. retailers losing an estimated $38 billion in annual revenue when potential customers choose to leave empty-handed rather than wait in long lines, this increased efficiency promises a high return on the investment.