At IDTechEx, when we teach Radio Frequency Identification RFID, we talk of it being a ubiquitous enabling technology like the wheel or paper.
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.
The Path to Positive ROI from an RFID Initiative, According to a New Aberdeen Group Report
Nov 13, 2006
Firms that share design and implementation between business line management and IT enjoy a 26% shorter average time to positive ROI
Fnac implements innovative warehouse labelling system from inotec Solutions
Nov 08, 2006
When Fnac Logistique decided to extend their business by building a new warehouse in Wissous and refit their current warehouse in Massy, they approached inotec France
Zetes acquires PEAK Europe
Nov 01, 2006
A significant step in rolling out its growth strategy in the Goods Identification (Goods-ID) market
The Business Case for Active RFID
Oct 31, 2006
With the ability to track, locate and sense, Active RFID is being rapidly adopted around the World, often creating new markets.
Sirit's Automatic Vehicle Identification Solution Chosen by a Major Automotive Company
Oct 31, 2006
Sirit Inc., a leading provider of radio frequency identification ("RFID") technology, announced that it has signed a contract with a major automotive company to provide Sirit's IDentity MaX portfolio of readers and customized software suite to identify, track and secure its vehicles
Infosys Deploys SAP Solutions for RFID for CHEPs Global Track and Trace System
Oct 23, 2006
Infosys and SAP Working Together to Support RFID Value-Driven Processes
Identec Solutions Presented With Frost & Sullivan 2006 Product Line Strategy Leadership Award in the Active RFID Market
Oct 18, 2006
Frost & Sullivan honours Identec Solutions with the 2006 Product Line Strategy Leadership Award for its comprehensive product line in the active RFID market.
Sontec Selects EPC Gen 2 Silicon from Texas Instruments to Deliver Improved Mount-on-Metal RFID Tag Performance
Oct 16, 2006
Retail Supply Chain Management Solution for Consumer White and Electronics Goods
EPCglobal Inc Announces Successful Data Exchange Interoperability Testing
Oct 16, 2006
New Specification to Enable Companies to Capture and Share Electronic Product Code (EPC) Event Data; Expecting to be Put Forward for Ratification Later This Year
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.
