Ask the Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) Expert: Scheduling Assistance
 Asked on Dec 19 2005 9:48:08:000AM | Q | Dear Sir,
We are interested in RFID solutions in our shopping centre but we experienced "tag doesen't read" errors from 70 cm distance. Which solution is better for our application?
Best Regards Davood Sayin, Monza, NA |
| A | On your primary question, what tag types have you had difficulty reading at 70 cm? Given current standards for tags, operating between 860 & 930 MHz, 70 cm should not be problematic -- unless the tags are incorrectly affixed to liquid or metal products. More to the point, no one in the U.S. is currently using RFID at the checkout counter or on the retail shelf except in pilot test applications. Major hurdles remain tag cost and performance. Although consumer package identification programs are underway in the pharmaceutical industry, most retailers are focusing on shipping carton and pallet identification. You may wish to take a look at the Metro Super Store in Germany to get an idea of how one retail chain is approaching RFID technology assessment. Note that Metro has also been testing an RFID-enabled version of NCR's Fastlane checkout system. But, even Metro says "Smart Chips on individual articles -- this is still the distant future today." You may also want to take a look at the EPCglobal website. The organization is a key source for the information you?ll need to initiate a program. |
|
|
|
|
|
|