According to new research from Barclays, 66 per cent of UK small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to hire Gen Z workers – those under the age of 252. The majority (51 per cent) are also worried that the younger generation simply isn’t interested in working for a SME.
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.
Judopay launches payment orchestration solution
Jun 07, 2023
Judopay, the mobile payments solutions provider, has announced that, following its acquisition by Fabrick S.p.A., it will be launching a payment orchestration solution for its customers, across a range of sectors, including mobility, hospitality, retail and eCommerce.
Transport Exchange Group launches ‘industry-first’ road transport data service to support dynamic freight pricing
May 31, 2023
Transport Exchange Group, the UK online freight exchange platform, is helping its members to operate more dynamically and competitively in a highly volatile marketplace with the launch of what it claims to be an industry-first load pricing data service.
Why is integration in Smart Lockers important?
May 31, 2023
Anthony Lamoureux, CEO of Velocity Smart Technology discusses how integration is having an impact on the smart locker industry.
New research: UK retailers boost tech investment as they face losing nearly one-third of customers as cost-of-living worsens
May 23, 2023
UK retailers expect to lose an average of almost one-third (29%) of their customer base as the cost-of-living crisis continues. This is according to new research from Ensono, the technology advisor, innovation partner and managed service provider.
Designing for Gen Z: What do digital natives really want in a mobile app?
May 22, 2023
As digital natives, Gen Z - those aged 10 to 25 - have been surrounded by technology, social media, mobile devices, and the internet their entire lives. With nearly 40% of mobile users being Gen Zers, they represent the largest consumer group for video content - making them key targets when it comes to designing a successful app.
How could retailers better use AI and automation to improve customer experience?
May 16, 2023
The introduction of ChatGPT at the end of last year has triggered a rush to use generative AI and related technologies, as reflected in the agenda at IRX & eDX 2023 at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham in late May
Cognosos unveils Bluetooth-enabled driver tags
May 16, 2023
Cognosos, a provider of real-time asset location solutions, has launched the Driver Tag, a new offering that delivers visibility into driver activity throughout the outbound logistics supply chain.
Paessler brings the worlds of OT and IT closer together with its first product extension for PRTG
Apr 26, 2023
Paessler AG has launched its first product extension to its monitoring solutions. Paessler PRTG OPC UA Server is designed for customers in the industrial sector – specifically teams in operational technology (OT) – who wish to receive valuable information from both IT and OT monitoring displayed in their supervisory and control systems (such as SCADA, MES, DCS, and others).
CSB apps help increase flexibility and efficiency
Apr 24, 2023
Food and drink IT specialist CSB-System has introduced a series of apps to enable customers to easily access their system at any time and from anywhere via smartphone, tablet or PC. This enables them to check the latest reports, approve process steps and carry out other tasks remotely or while on the move – which increases efficiency and convenience.
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.
