RFID tagging is an ID system that uses small radio frequency identification devices for identification and tracking purposes. An RFID tagging system includes the tag itself which contains a microchip, a read/write device, and a host system application for data collection, processing, and transmission.
Products are tagged with the read/write device. A pallet of goods can have a single RFID tag that contains a large amount of information about the pallet. This information could include:
- Details of the product
- The number of cartons
- The item number
- The origin of the goods
- The destination of the goods.
The main advantages of RFID tagging when compared to barcoding include:
- Information held on the tag can be updated or changed altogether
- Tags are less vulnerable to damage and cannot quickly be defaced
- Tags can be read with the read/write device from a distance and do not necessarily need to be in a line of sight
- It is possible for the RFID scanner to read the information on the tag through the packaging material removing the need for unpacking.
- A pallet holding mixed goods can be simultaneously read by one scanner.
Figure 9 shows a typical RFID tag.
Figure 9: An RFID Tag