The Garden Centre Group has successfully upgraded its existing mobile stock control infrastructure with a tailor made future proof enterprise mobility platform.
Automatic Identification/Datacapture, AIDC, RFID
Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) refers to the process of automatically identifying and collecting data about objects/goods, then logging this information in a computer. The term AIDC refers to a range of different types of data capture devices. These include barcodes, biometrics, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), magnetic stripes, smart cards, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and voice recognition. AIDC devices are deployed in a wide range of environments, including: retail, warehousing, distribution & logistics and field service. The first RFID solutions were developed in 1980s. It has since been deployed in a range of markets including Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) systems due to RFID's ability to track moving objects. RFID is also effective in challenging manufacturing environments where barcode labels might not prove resilient enough.
Datalogic Scanning announces the Gryphon LGD4300 reader
Jan 26, 2010
Datalogic Scanning has announced the Gryphon L GD4300 laser scanner as the latest member to join Datalogic Scannings Gryphon family of general purpose handheld scanners.
Rica Lewis partners with Tagsys RFID to optimise inventory and supply chain operations at major retailers
Jan 25, 2010
Tagsys, provider of item-level RFID infrastructure, has deployed its complete RFID for Fashion solution by Rica Lewis, supplier of jean products.
Belgravium and Equipment Tracking announce strategic alliance
Jan 20, 2010
Equipment Tracking will offer Belgravium RFID enabled handheld computers as a platform for its asset management software within the leading manufacturing, warehousing and logistics organisations.
CSL receives Frost & Sullivan's award for best RFID product
Jan 11, 2010
Convergence Systems Limited has been awarded the 2009 Asia Pacific Frost & Sullivan Product Differentiation Excellence Award for the RFID Readers Market.
honeywell AND sydion Announce solution for MOBILE h1n1 vaccine administration
Dec 07, 2009
Honeywells Dolphin 9900 and Sydions emergency management technology provide efficient H1N1 vaccination
Zetes' 3i Voice Solution helps Visionlab boost its productivity by 30%
Nov 17, 2009
Zetes Spain has been entrusted with a pioneering project to equip a Visionlab SAP-managed automatic warehouse with its voice technology.
Global Foods upgrades to BCPs Accord
Nov 06, 2009
Global Foods, the Cardiff based Cash and Carry wholesaler, has opted to replace its IT system with an Accord solution from supply chain solutions specialist Business Computer Projects Ltd (BCP).
Mercedes-Benz Dealership Deploys AeroScout Wi-Fi Asset Tracking Solution
Nov 06, 2009
AeroScout, working with Telefnica and Cisco, today announced that the Mercedes-Benz dealership of Valencia, Spain has successfully deployed AeroScouts Vehicle Tracking and Management solution.
RFID TagSource to distribute Tracient RFID readers
Oct 30, 2009
RFID TagSource and Tracient Technologies have signed a distribution agreement whereby RFID TagSource will distribute Tracients RFID reader products in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)
Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) refers to the methods of automatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directly into computer systems (i.e. without human involvement). Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include bar codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), biometrics, magnetic stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), smart cards, and voice recognition. AIDC is also commonly referred to as “Automatic Identification,” “Auto-ID,” and "Automatic Data Capture."
Barcoding has become established in several industries as an inexpensive and reliable automatic identification technology that can overcome human error in capturing and validating information. AIDC is the process or means of obtaining external data, particularly through analysis of images, sounds or videos. To capture data, a transducer is employed which converts the actual image or a sound into a digital file which can be later analysed. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is relatively a new AIDC technology which was first developed in 1980’s. The technology acts as a base in automated data collection, identification and analysis systems worldwide
In the decades since its creation, barcoding has become highly standardised, resulting in lower costs and greater accessibility. Indeed, word processors now can produce barcodes, and many inexpensive printers print barcodes on labels. Most current barcode scanners can read between 12 and 15 symbols and all their variants without requiring configuration or programming. For specific scans the readers can be pre-programmed easily from the user manual.
Despite these significant developments, the adoption of barcoding has been slower in the healthcare sector than the retail and manufacturing sectors. Barcoding can capture and prevent errors during medication administration and is now finding its way from the bedside into support operations within the hospital.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data. Unlike a bar code, the tag does not necessarily need to be within line of sight of the reader, and may be embedded in the tracked object. It can also be read only or read-write enabling information to be either permanently stored in the tag or it can be read-write where information can be continually updated and over-written on the tag.
RFID has found its importance in a wide range of markets including livestock identification and Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) systems and are now commonly used in tracking consumer products worldwide. Many manufacturers use the tags to track the location of each product they make from the time it's made until it's pulled off the shelf and tossed in a shopping cart. These automated wireless AIDC systems are effective in manufacturing environments where barcode labels could not survive. They can be used in pharmaceutical to track consignments, they can also be used in cold chain distribution to monitor temperature fluctuations. This is particularly useful to ensure frozen and chilled foods have not deviated from the required temperature parameters during transit.
Cost used to be a prohibitive factor in the widespread use of RFID tags however the unit costs have reduced considerably to make this a viable technology to improve track and trace throughout the supply chain. Many leading supermarket chains employ RFID insisting that their suppliers incorporate this technology into the packaging of the products in order to improve supply chain efficiency and traceability.
