The Active Shelf System, available from Barcoding Inc., is an affordable method of keeping track of inventory in retail stores, stockrooms, pharmacies, libraries, and warehouses, allowing automated asset tracking in libraries, document storage facilities, and data tape archives. Basically, anything that can be placed on a shelf can be tracked using the Active Shelf System, but let’s take a closer look about how it works.

The RFID Enabled Active Shelf System works by placing RFID antennas on each shelf to monitor signals from UHF Gen 2 tags that are placed on each product. The antennas then send information through the hybrid multiplexer that transmits the data to a central RFID reader. This RFID reader is connected to your database through a hard-wired connection or wireless infrastructure, making the inventory levels available through a web interface or XML feed from the system.

In order to keep track of all of the items on the shelf, all shelves are read sequentially whenever an RFID scan is initiated, and the software generates a list of unique asset tag numbers read. After this, the system queries the asset database, retrieving detailed information relating to the corresponding asset and displays a list of base asset information such as tag ID and title.

Once asset ID tags are read, the Active Shelf System has the ability to connect separate devices at the edge of each shelf, such as a light or sensor that can detect motion near the shelf and have inventory levels monitored. If an item is placed in the wrong location, a light will turn on, alerting workers that something is out of place. In addition, the RFID Active Shelf can be set-up to read High-Frequency or Ultra-High Frequency RFID tags.

Overall, the system offers:

• Automated tracking of item-level inventory and asset locations (eliminates manual asset counting and improves record accuracy)
• Reduced labor costs
• Increased customer satisfaction
• Increased security

Learn more about the RFID Active Shelf here.

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.

As you know, the tiger population has been sadly but steadily decreasing throughout the years. In order to keep better track of the tigers, the Chinese have adopted RFID technology. Microchips specifically engineered for the tigers have been injected into tigers at the King Palace Zoo.

With the microchips, Zoo officials will be able to access information on the tigers, including age, gender, name, species, blood type, birth place, and DNA, by using a scanner. Once more zoo’s adopt the RFID implants, it will be easier to keep track of, and better care for the tigers.

In addition to Tigers, the State Forestry Administration is requiring all zoos to implant the chips in a variety of different precious animals such as pandas, golden monkeys, and swans.

Do you think it’s a good idea to implant endangered species with RFID chips?

Earlier, we wrote about Microsoft Tags as an alternative to QR codes. Now, Microsoft has recently announced that users of the Microsoft Tag will be offered advanced customization options. Now, branding and design can be incorporated directly into the barcode, making the Microsoft Tag the ideal platform for marketing materials, packaging, posters, business cards, or any time a unique design is wanted. In contrast, most 2D barcodes, or QR codes, are black and white and often don’t fit the look and feel of the marketing message.

In order to create a custom Microsoft Tag, users simply log on to http://tag.microsoft.com and save their Tag graphic file using the Custom Tag option, and then bring the file into Powerpoint (for beginning users), or anther design program such as Photoshop (for more advanced users) to create a customized version of the tag. With Microsoft Tag, users can:

• Easily create custom Tags in seconds
• Verify custom Tags for Windows Mobile and Symbian S60
• Preserve the original symbol integrity, maximizing readability

Below are some examples of exactly how personalized Custom Tags can get!

Learn more about Microsoft Custom Tags here.