The two forms of automated data collection used today are barcode systems and RFID systems, both with advantages and disadvantages.

RFID, or radio frequency technology, uses a tag applied to a product in order to identify and track it via radio waves. The 2 parts that make up the tag are an integrated circuit and an antenna. While the circuit processes and stores information, the antenna transmits signals to the RFID reader, also called an interrogator, in order to interpret the data in the tag.

In contrast, a barcode is an optical representation of data that can be scanned and then interpreted. The data is represented by the width and spacing of parallel lines, and are often used in POS applications, in addition to tracking objects throughout the supply chain.

Advantages of RFID
RFID technology is more comprehensive than barcode technology, allowing tags to be read from a greater distance. In addition, RFID tags can be read much faster than barcodes because barcodes require a direct line of sight, whereas about 40 RFID tags can be read at once.

Advantages of Barcodes
The greatest advantage seen by most companies is that barcodes are cheaper than RFID technology. Barcode tags are also much lighter and smaller than RFID tags, making them easier to use.

While barcodes and RFID technology currently co-exist, many speculate as to whether RFID technology will overtake the barcode. Personally, I don’t think that will happen any time soon, but what do you think?

The month of July is full of great events for the ADC industry, many of which Intermec Technologies will be present. Intermec Technologies is a leader in the ADC industry and has helped thousands of companies achieve the greatest return on their investments. If you’re interested in attending one or more of the following events, be sure to stop by Intermec’s booth in order to receive information on how your company can streamline their operations and more! Learn more about Intermec here. http://www.barcoding.com/partners/intermec.shtml

Supply Chain Asia 2009
When: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 – Thursday, July 9, 2009
Where: Sheraton Hotel Singapore, Singapore
Description: Supply Chain Asia is an informal networking forum that encourages open exchanges of information with panelists and delegates. Please visit Intermec at this event to gain knowledge on the latest mobile computing, bar code printing, and scanning solutions.
Target Industries: Transportation, Industrial Goods, Consumer Goods, Ligistics, Manufacturing
For more information, and to register, learn more here.

Cincinnati Technology Seminar
When: Thursday, July 09, 2009
Where: Marriott North Cincinnati, West Chester, OH, USA
Description: Intermec invites you to a complimentary educational seminar. Learn about new 3G innovation, experience hands-on demonstrations, and enjoy an “ask the experts” networking lunch.
Target Industries: Consumer Goods Manufacturing, Logistics, Public Sector, Transportation, Industrial Manufacturing, and Healthcare.
Register here.

Austin Technology Seminar
When: Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Where: Marriott Austin North, Austin, TX, USA
Description: Intermec invites you to a complimentary educational seminar. Learn about new 3G innovation, experience hands-on demonstrations,
and enjoy an “ask the experts” networking lunch.
Target Industries: Consumer Goods Manufacturing, Logistics, Public Sector, Transportation, Industrial Manufacturing, and Healthcare.
Register here.

Indianapolis Technology Seminar
When: Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Where: Renaissance Indianapolis North, Carmel, IN, USA
Description: Intermec invites you to a complimentary educational seminar. Learn about new 3G innovation, experience hands-on demonstrations,
and enjoy an “ask the experts” networking lunch.
Target Industries: Consumer Goods Manufacturing, Logistics, Public Sector, Transportation, Industrial Manufacturing, and Healthcare.
Register here.

How Smart Printing Powers Profitability
When: Wednesday, July 22, 2009 3:00 PM EST
Sponsor: Intermec Technologies
Presenters:

• Tom Lawton, managing director, Istari Systems (Auckland, New Zealand)
• Ed Weber, vice president Sales and Marketing, ToolWorx Information Products
• Karl Perry, senior manager Printer Software, Intermec Technologies

Description: Smart Printing technology puts the power of a personal computer into the printer, streamlining control of peripheral devices and enabling applications to be hosted directly on the printer. Attend this webinar to find out how a growing number of customers from around the world are improving both productivity and profitability by leveraging the power of their “smart” bar code printers and the error-proofing applications written for them.
Register here.

Fed Fleet 2009
When: Tuesday, July 28, 2009 – Thursday, July 30, 2009
Where: Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Description: FedFleet 2009 will include the GSA Automotive Federal Vehicle Standards breakout sessions and vendor presentations. This comprehensive collection of fleet management, automotive procurement and aircraft related educational sessions truly makes FedFleet 2009 a one-stop experience for Fleet and Aviation Management professionals.
Target Industries: Public Sector
For more information and registration, learn more here.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like inside a warehouse—how so much inventory is accounted for so accurately and efficiently? If this question has boggled your mind, then you’re in luck. Under Armour’s warehouse, located in Baltimore, MD is opening its doors in conjunction with Barcoding Inc. and Motorola’s “Mobility Solutions” Truck tour.

At the event, you will be able to see how Under Armour is successfully handling the economy through increased throughput via their automated solutions. Motorola and Barcoding Inc. will also explain why it is so important to adopt the latest in enterprise mobility solutions, products and services. Since many companies are concerned about changing their current procedures, Motorola and Barcoding Inc. will also demonstrate just how easy an automated data collection implementation can be.

This unique event will provide a first-hand look up at the latest enterprise mobility solutions and how they can be implemented in your business. In addition, you will have access to Motorola’s Mobile Briefing Center, which profiles industry solutions across a broad spectrum of verticals.

Mobility experts will be on-site to answer any questions you should have, in addition to sharing their knowledge of successful retail and warehousing implementations.

This FREE event is a one of a kind opportunity to view a successful warehouse implementation and speak with experts that can help all of your warehousing needs become a reality.
Find out more about this unique event and register here.

Customers can now easily monitor food temperature, shelf life, and freshness of perishable goods with Freshtime, from Infratab. The system, in conjunction with Intermec rugged mobile computers and passive UHF RFID readers allows for easy tracking and traching throughout the supply chain, in addition to real-time decisions based on the products current status in relation to expiration date.

Distribution managers and mobile workers alike are able to receive real-time alerts regarding the quality of the perishable goods and easily identifies whether items have expired. By adding increased visibility to the supply chain, Intermec and Infratab are able to help customers control waste, monitor temperatures, simplify data collection, and provide consumers with the highest quality of products.

By using RFID technology from Intermec, Infratab is able to easily integrate their solutions into enterprise resources and quality assurance systems. Since perishable goods are subject to a change in temperature throughout the supply chain process, Freshtime semi passive RFID tags are pre-programmed with high and low temperature thresholds of the goods so that tags can record data throughout the distribution process. Because of this, it is easy to determine the remaining shelf life of items, and alerts can be created in order to notify distribution managers and workers if an item is deteriorating faster than anticipated. Once the item arrives at its destination, its tags are read by Intermec mobile computers equipped with handheld RFID readers that provides information, such as the tags temperature history and the length of travel, to the recipient.

With a solution such as this from Intermec and Infratab, manual intervention, labor, and errors are reduced due to real-time asset tracking through RFID technology.

Learn more about tracking your assets in real time.

If you’re company is still using a paper-based system for inventory tracking purposes, then you could be missing out on working most efficiently. Since paper-based systems leave large margins for error, it’s common to have inaccurate data, which could ultimately result in negative customer feedback depending on the inventory situation.

Over the past decade, companies have been switching from paper-based systems to automated ones. While this is a huge change for the company and all of its workers, automated systems have always proven to be an excellent ROI and a much more efficient, accurate way to work.

Since automated material handling minimizes manual intervention, companies often find fewer errors, increased productivity, and reduced overall costs. Automated material handling also minimizes the amount of heavy lifting performed by workers, keeping workers happy and allowing materials to move at a faster speed. With the increased popularity of just-in-time delivery, automated material handling is crucial to the survival of the business. In addition, making the switch from a paper-based system to an automated on requires a lot of documenting of the manufacturing process; perfect for earning an ISO certification.

While switching to an entirely new, automated system may seem like a drastic change, it is necessary in order to thrive in today’s market. If your company is still using a paper-based system, I would definitely recommend upgrading to automated material handling in order to keep workers happy, cut costs, and become more efficient as a whole.

If you would like more information on how your company can start integrating automated material handling, then find a solution for you.