Radio frequency identification chip is a system that assists retailers in transmitting items or peoples identity through wireless radio waves. The transmission makes use of unique coding to ensure the identity of the sent package is safe and confidential.
Most of the retailers prefer it for security purposes, as there is no need for contacts or physical encounters for the communication to take place (Harley, Jacobsen and Shai 89). The data sent through Radio Frequency Identification is not cumbersome to read as one can do it through human body or any non-metallic objects.
The simplest Radio Frequency Identification system consists of three major parts; an antenna, a transceiver whose main component is a decoder, and a transponder that has a program of an exceptional message.
The Radio Frequency Identification has assisted large retailers in transmitting data safely, to be read by the intended receiver and then processed accordingly. RFID helps large retailers to transmit the information of a certain object in a confidential manner such that the price details, cash transaction, and even the colors of the item are decoded.
Large retailers have made use of RFID for many years because of its ability to follow any load on transit. Moreover, some of its added benefits to the users include asset tracking (National Research Council 12). In large companies there are a list of the objects that are likely to be lost, the objects that are used occasionally, and those that are hard to obtain when in need. Large companies take the advantage of RFID to place some tags on such objects.
For instance, NYK Logistics has used RFID to track its containers. In manufacturing companies, RFID has assisted in several occasions like following up the ongoing process and in reducing imperfections during the process of manufacturing. Through this, the manufacturing companies experience an increased output as it is in a position of producing products of different versions.
Some of the famous retailers like Wal-Mart and Tesco are among the major users of RFID whereby their supply chain is more advanced and efficient. Through this system, they are also able to ensure that all the products that the customers may require at any time and in any quantity are available in their stores (National Research Council 23).
These retailers can now serve their customers better by the use of this system and enjoy an increased output from their businesses. The RFID has also served as a suitable payment system especially for road charges without necessarily stopping.
In many countries, this system is helping customers to pay for their services in big restaurants through the windows for quick and convenient services. Another major benefit of using RFID is for security purposes of homes, offices, and other buildings.
This system also serves as an electronic means to manage the accessibility of areas where security is essential. For the big companies, their employees make use of this system to open the gate and the doors by just holding a badge with minimal tear and wear because there is no contact required (Harley, Jacobsen and Shai 105).
Although Radio Frequency Identification is associated with many benefits, several disadvantages come with it. The major disadvantage of RFID is its cost because its tags range between 8 and 18 cents, making it more difficult to implement. In terms of cost, most of people prefer using bar codes. In addition, the RFID chips are attached to the item by use of adhesive tape that can easily be detached encouraging theft.
Anyone with a reader can take advantage of following up the items with RFID. Competitors can trace company’s product movements because there is no need for sight-to-sight communications when decoding the data. During the rainy seasons, tags can spoil. Readers sometimes make common mistakes when several tags are read at the same place. At times, reader may skip an object or account for an object that does not exist in the package.
Works Cited
Harley, Connie, Lynne Jacobsen and Robkin Shai. Radio Frequency identification handbook for librarians. London: Libraries Unlimited, 2007.
National Research Council. Radio frequency identification technologies: a workshop summary. New York: National Academies Press, 2005. Web.