Transcript RFID - PBworks

RFID
Radio Frequency IDentification
the What and the Why
What is it?
 RFID was created
in 1948 by Scottish
physicist Sir Robert Wattson-Watt during
World War II as a refinement of RADAR.
It was used to identify enemy airplanes.
The first RFID gizmos were installed in
British and American war planes.
So What is it…. Really?
 RFID technology is a tag
and a reader
 The Tags are comprised of 2 parts. The
data chip and an antenna
Data Chip
Antenna
 The chip has no power source
 The chip can’t do anything without
a reader or a writer.
How is it being used?
 Auto fobs that lock and unlock your car
 Interstate toll payments
 Shipment tracking
 Inventory control
 Passport control
 Consumer checkout in Europe
Why Implement RFID Here?
 How is it better than barcodes?
 How does it save time?
 Whose time does it save?
 Is it secure?
 Does it work with everything?
 How will it affect me?
How is it better than a
barcode?
Technology
Barcode
RFID
Benefit of RFID over
Barcode
Line of Sight
Required
Not Required
No need to orient scanned
items
# of items that can be
scanned
One
Multiple
Very fast inventory scan
Automation &
Accuracy
Manual read errors &
prone to mis-scans
Fully automated & highly
accurate
Error free inventory count
Security
Provides no security
Contains a security bit
Eliminates secondary
security system
Capability
How does it save time?
 Check out multiple items in a single
instance
 Enables Automated Materials Handling
 Makes finding “lost” items more efficient
Whose time does it save?
 The Patron’s
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Self-Check is more accurate and reliable
Return check-in is immediate
Automated handling conducts sorts
materials by collection; identifies problems
Can be used to find “lost” items
Whose time does it save?
 Staff

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
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Items are automatically check-in
Items are pre-sorted by format, collection,
holds, problems, etc.
Mis-shelved items can be located by
waving an inventory wand
Collection Inventory is manageable
Circulation
1,600,000
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
APL Staff:
1998: 45.5 FTE (benefited)
2008: 45 FTE (benefited)
2006:
.6 FTE Volunteer hours
2008:
2.2 FTE Volunteer hours
2005
2006
2007
2008
What is
Automated Materials Handling?
Since the system
knows what the item
is, it can
automatically sort
items.
Staff focus on
exceptions instead of
handling every item.
Is it secure?
 The correct frequency will “wake up” the
chip and the chip will broadcast it’s data
 Library-style RFID tags’ broadcast range
is between 10 and 18 inches
 ALA and RFID systems vendors have
defined standards as to how the systems
operate and are finishing standards
defining how data is stored on the chip
Is it secure?
 Limit data stored to the barcode number
 The security bit set as the item is
checked out or checked in.
 Barcode number is meaningless without
access to the database.
 ILS doesn’t retain patron circulation
history.
Does it work with everything?
 The readers can not read thru metals.
 DVDs and CDs contain a thin layer of
metal between the two layers of plastic.
 Items could be wrapped in aluminum foil
to render the tag temporarily useless.
How will it affect me?
Circulation
 At Queens Public Library, NY
Front desk staff became customer
service representatives who interact
directly with the patrons on the floor to
demonstrate the checkout system and
answer circulation questions, issue
library cards, etc .
How will it affect me?
Public Service staff
 Items are shelved more quickly and
“lost” items are more easily found. Both
enhance your ability to satisfy patrons.
How will it affect me?
Technical Service Staff
 Requires the creation and insertion of
the RFID tag in addition to continued
application of the barcode for use by
other system libraries.
 About 63 weeks for 2 people to tag all
400,000 items
Questions?