"RFID" Technology Demonstration - Auto ID Solutions in the Supply Chain and Manufacturing Processes - Tom Wengler, CGW, Inc.
A
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Demonstration was presented by
Tom Wengler and
Greg Newsom, from CGW, Inc., a
Many people are
aware that some parking garages and office buildings use passive RFID tags for
security at entrances. There are
two types of RFID tags being used on supply chains—active tags and passive
tags. Active tags include a power
source, allow a greater operating range, but have a higher cost and shorter life
(5 to 7 years). Passive tags have
no power source. Their energy comes
from the radio frequency field produced by the RFID reader. Passive tags last longer and cost less
than active tags.
An example of
an active tag is the plastic patch on boxes of some cold medicines at the drug
store. Mr. Wengler explained that
drug stores had been plagued by theft of some items. Certain items were more likely to be
stolen from one store and returned to another store for cash. These active tags carry with them
inventory information to allow drug store owners with an RFID reader to
determine if the item being returned had ever been purchased. The chips to store information can be as
small as glitter, but the power source in an active tag may make the patch
protrude slightly.
