RAIN RFID systems help companies cut costs, improve customer service, reduce labor, increase accuracy and improve production throughput.
The technology does not require user interaction and line-of-sight efforts, thereby leading to greater productivity and data collection accuracy. In addition, RAIN RFID systems are flexible, allowing for integration with barcode systems and other mobile technology.
While RAIN RFID offers several benefits not provided by traditional barcodes (listed below), it is not necessarily always the better choice. Always consider your use case prior to diving into implementation.
Eliminates Line of Sight: RAIN RFID eliminates the need to position the laser of a scanner across the entire barcode, allowing the capture of data when the RAIN RFID tag is not in direct view of the reader. This allows users to track and read assets in a sealed container, embedded within the asset or underneath other products/assets in a stack. Barcodes need that line of sight to perform the identification task.
User Intervention: RAIN RFID readers can be installed to read all the time, eliminating the need for an operator to actuate the scan function. Whether installed by doorways, garage entrances, or in open areas on manufacturing floors, assets can be read as they are moved, without the user's action.
Speed: RAIN RFID tags can be read at high speeds. Asset inventory can be taken very quickly as one handheld reader can count hundreds of assets in the same time it takes for a single barcode scan. RAIN RFID cuts average inventory time by approximately 95%.
Authenticity / Anti-counterfeit Technology: Unlike barcodes that can be copied and re-distributed, RAIN RFID tags have a chip-specific ID (TID) value that can be linked with the user-programmable EPC value. Linking these values together eliminates the possibility of improperly duplicated tags or copied ID values. Product manufacturers, tollways, and retailers are embracing this characteristic and utilizing RAIN RFID to secure their products and services. Furthermore, some Gen2V2 compliant tags incorporate Crypto Suites (CS) defined by ISO/IEC 29167. These Crypto Suites can provide security services for tag authentication, interrogator authentication, mutual authentication, and authenticated communication.
Writeable Tags: After deployment, some data stored in the User memory bank can be written and changed without replacing the tags or removing them from the asset or product. This can be performed using RAIN RFID handhelds or fixed readers. These tags can be “locked” and “unlocked” with passwords to eliminate unauthorized write operations in the field and protect the integrity of the system. Barcodes must be reprinted and replaced in order to change the value once deployed in the field.
It is important to note that while RAIN RFID offers several advantages over traditional barcodes, it may not be the right solution for your particular application. Always consider your use case prior to diving into implementation.
Was this article helpful?
That’s Great!
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry! We couldn't be helpful
Thank you for your feedback
Feedback sent
We appreciate your effort and will try to fix the article