Transcript Slide 1
Agenda • About FILE Pty Limited. • What is RFID? • RFID in Records Management. • Demonstration of RFID Technologies .. • Questions About FILE Pty Limited FILE Pty Limited is an independent wholly Australian-owned Company, specializing in the open-shelf storage and management of “active files” (those requiring a high degree of reference and retrieval). Evolving Industry As traditional document storage companies grow older a larger percentage of records become inactive, forcing off-site storage companies to become efficient in deep storage. FILE Pty Limited has grown in the void that needed to be filled for the active off-site file storage. This inturn has included on-site file management systems. What is RFID? R ADIO R F ID IDENTIFICATION F REQUENCY • At a simple level, it is a technology that involves labels (Tags) that emit radio signals and devices called readers that pick up the signal RFID Reader RFID Tag The RFID System TAG’s or RFID Labels (transponders) Antenna Silicon Chip Server & Database Radio Waves Antenna Workstation & Software Application RFID Transceiver Transceiver/Middleware Network Communications e.g. Wireless, Ethernet Types of Tags • RFID tags can be either … – Passive – Semi-Passive (also known as semi-active) – Active. • Passive RFID tags have no internal power supply. • Semi-passive RFID tags are very similar to passive tags except for the addition of a small battery. • Active RFID tags have their own internal power source About RFID Tags • RFID tags are tiny microchips with memory and an antenna coil, thinner than paper and some only 0.3mm across. • RFID tags listen for a radio signal sent by a RFID reader. When a RFID tag receives a query, it responds by transmitting its unique ID code and other data back to the reader. Silicon Chip Antenna • Types of RFID tags… RFID History A technology that has existed for decades! 1948 Harry Stockman, "Communication by Means of Reflected Power 1950’s Early explorations of RFID technology, laboratory experiments. Transponder systems of "identification, friend or foe" (IFF) for aircraft 1960’s commercial use of RFID. Sensormatic and Checkpoint companies were founded 1970’s animal tracking, vehicle tracking, and factory automation. 1980’s Toll roads in Europe and America with RFID 1990’s Explosion of RFID development. Commercial applications of RFID enter mainstream. 2000’s Emergence of standards. RFID widely deployed. RFID becomes a part of everyday life. Adoptors of RFID Technology • Aircraft Transponders • Tolls (E-tags) • Security (most large retail outlets) • Warehousing • Libraries • Medical (pharmaceuticals, etc.) • Records Management (from FILE Pty Limited) Why RFID Doesn’t Work for Records Management. Price High Volume of Tags required for Low Value Items High Volume of Reads Reading 100’s or even Thousands of Items in a single ‘Scan’ Zero Separation Multiple Tags that have very little or no separation between them Discreet Doorway Readers Capable of reading multiple tags from several meters away via non-obtrusive readers Software Systems not available to cater for the specific business rules of Records Management What Industry Needs From RFID Tags. User Requirements Worldwide Compliance High Speed Reads Rewritable Non-volatile Memory Multiple Tag Reads > 100 Security Small Separation - ‘Stackable’ Tags Records Management? RFID Advantages in Records management • Simplification of business processes • Accurate knowledge of the inventory level by eliminating discrepancies between inventory record and physical inventory • Prevention and elimination of the sources of errors • “Sightless” identification removes manual reading • More than one item can be read at a time • Timesaving by automatic recording • Protection of staff from OH&S issues (e.g. RSI) • Allows staff to exploit their professional as opposed to their clerical skills, leading to increased job satisfaction • Immediate recording of file whereabouts Characteristics of a successful RFID Implementation • Designed to achieve measurable and verifiable goals • Installed to minimize impact on the organisation • Designed to be scaleable • Structured to validate a specific business activity Frequently Asked Questions Q. What is the advantage of using RFID technology? No contact or even line-of-sight is needed to read data from an item containing an RFID tag. Multiple tags can be read instantly. Q. How long will an RFID tag last? Passive RFID tags have an indefinite life. Active tags last up to 10 years. RFID technology also works in rain, snow and other environments where barcode or optical scan technology would be useless. Q. Will RFID hardware interfere with other electronic devices? RFID hardware will not create any interference with MRI equipment, security systems, PCs, phones or other electronic devices, nor will it affect magnetic media such as credit cards, video cassettes, etc. as per ISO 18000. Q. Are there any health risks associated with RFID? No. The system is not harmful to persons, including those with hearing aids or pacemakers. Q. Can a barcode scanner be used concurrently with an RFID reader? A barcode scanner may operate along with an RFID reader on the same PC. Q. Is there any limit to the number of items that can be read in a single stack? This is variable but, provided the tags are within range of the reader, FILE’s system permits hundreds of tags to be read simultaneously. Q. Will RFID replace barcode technology? Probably not, at least not in the near future. Different data capture and tracking technologies offer different capabilities. Many organisations will likely combine RFID with existing technologies such as barcode readers and scanners to achieve expanded data capture and tracking capabilities that meet their specific document management needs.