Why RFID?
RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) offers greater flexibility, higher data storage capacities, increased data collection throughput, and greater immediacy and accuracy of data   collection. An increasing number of companies are embracing RFID technology to increase quality and quantity of data collection in an expeditious manner, a feat not always possible with barcoding systems.

Organizations like Wal-Mart, the US Department of Defense, Target and Albertson’s have all mandated that pallets and cases of product shipped to them from their suppliers must have RFID tags affixed to them. Wal-Mart has specified a starting date as January 1, 2005 with involvement in RFID pilots required of all vendors by the end of 2006. Other organizations are initiating similar mandates and timelines to begin the required use of RFID tags on products. There are already over 130 suppliers complying with Wal-Mart’s mandate with another group 200 currently working to comply.

The technology’s enhanced accuracy and security makes it an ideal data collection platform for a variety of markets and applications, including healthcare, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, transportation and retail.

Traditional bar-coding technology provides an economical solution for Automatic Identification Data Collection (AIDC) industry applications but has it's limitations. Each barcoded item has to be scanned individually, thus limiting the scanning speed. Extra costs are incurred through the use of manual labor or automating the scanning process. And when the scanning is manually performed, there is the added possibility of human error. As a result of these limitations, RFID technology has been making inroads in AIDC applications.

The RFID Tag
RFID tags are categorized as either passive or active. Passive tags do not have an integrated power source and are powered from the signal carried by the RFID reader. Active tags have a built-in power source, and their behavior can be compared to a beacon. As a result of the built-in battery, active tags can operate at a greater distance and at higher data rates in return for limited life driven by the longevity of the built in battery and higher costs. For a lower cost of implementation, passive tags are a more attractive solution.

The Solution
Action Packaging offers an easy, one-step, print-and-encode solution for your RFID problem. This solution is the fastest and most effective approach for a user to adopt RFID technology.  Action Packaging will print the label and program the chip inside the label simultaneously, with your requirements. These RFID enabled "smart labels" can be read even if the label is not in the line of sight of the reader, allowing reading operations to be done automatically, reducing labor costs and improving accuracy.  For more information, please contact our Sales Team or Request a Quote.

Information stored on the tag can be updated on demand

Large data storage capacity (up to 4k bits)

High read rates, Longer read range

Ability to collect data from multiple tags at a time

Data collection without line-of-sight requirements

Greater reliability in harsh environments

Greater accuracy in data retrieval and reduced error rate

Less labor intensive than individual barcode scanning

Less labor equals more savings

RFID can compliment your existing bar code based identification and tracking systems. It does not have to (and most likely cannot) replace what you are already using, but does add a higher level of security and accuracy.

Are you RFID ready?
Contact Action Packaging today to see how easily we can get you all the necessary equipment and labels to become RFID ready.