Auto id

Applications integrating Auto-ID (Automatic Identification Technology), such as RFID, NFC and barcode are often used for supply chain management, inventory control, asset management, personnel management and safety and many other applications. Anywhere high volume of items gets processed, changes locations, gets received, shipped and stored. Auto ID technology has been in use for years and its importance rises as the Internet of Things expands. The applications within the IoT use RFID and NFC, sensors, the Cloud and the Internet to automate operations and increase efficiency.

However, the Auto-ID technologies provide raw data that must be properly translated for use by the ERP systems and standard device drivers and middleware often fail to do this seamlessly. Therefore, it is always a good idea to use a customized software application built by experienced team of developers that specializes in RFID and Auto-ID technology integration rather than a generic software development firm.

Auto-ID technology started with use of barcodes that have become very quickly a very popular method of tracking. Barcode labels are inexpensive, they do not contain any technology, only a label with adhesive and a printed barcode that can be easily generated by a simple application. Depending on the specific barcode type, 1D barcodes can have from 20-25 characters while 2D codes can go up to 2,000 characters. The main practical concern is that as you increase the amount of information in the barcode the bigger it will become. This is especially the case with 1D barcodes and therefore it is usually encoded only with 8 – 15 characters carrying an SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). In addition, you need a line of sight and specific orientation to read a barcode, which is impractical in high volume operations. This has become the claim to fame of RFID technology, that it can read tags in distances of few feet to hundreds of feet, without the line of sight and in high volumes. However, the tags are more expensive in comparison as they include chip and antenna and therefore are usually justified for higher value items, cases, pallets and returnable assets.

RUFUtech develops software applications that use Auto-ID technologies for deployment in industries such as healthcare, pharma, manufacturing, retail, government, event management, agriculture, construction, wearables and others. Let us know if we can help you with your application!