Applications
Asset Tracking
One of the most common uses of RFID. Companies can put RFID tags on assets that are lost or stolen often, that are under-utilised or that are just hard to locate at the time they are needed. Just about every type of RFID system is used for asset management.
Manufacturing
RFID has been used in manufacturing plants for more than a decade. It's used to track parts and work in process and to reduce defects, increase throughput and manage the production of different versions of the same product.
Supply Chain Management
RFID technology has been used in closed loop supply chains or to automate parts of the supply chain within a company's control for years. Real-time inventory by automated registration of items in a warehouse or store-room
Retailing
Retailers such as Best Buy, Metro, Target, Tesco and Wal-Mart are in the forefront of RFID adoption. These retailers are currently focused on improving supply chain efficiency and making sure product is on the shelf when customers want to buy it.
Payment Systems
RFID is all the rage in the supply chain world, but the technology is also catching on as a convenient payment mechanism. One of the most popular uses of RFID today is to pay for road tolls without stopping. These active systems have caught on in many countries, and quick service restaurants are experimenting with using the same active RFID tags to pay for meals at drive-through windows.
Security and Access Control
RFID has long been used as an electronic key to control who has access to office buildings or areas within office buildings. The first access control systems used low-frequency RFID tags. Recently, vendors have introduced 13.56 MHz systems that offer longer read range.
Animal and Specimen Identification
Implanted RFID tags in animals for tracking and linking the animal to food and locations. This is applicable to farming as well as exotic breeds in zoos.
Airline Baggage Handling
RFID enables airlines to track each item throughout the carrier’s baggage-sorting operation and onto the plane, then through any transfer airports for connecting flights and finally onto the baggage carousel at the passenger destination. Adding RFID to baggage means full visibility into all of the airlines operations
Medical Applications
Links a patient with key drugs, personnel giving the drugs and biometric measurements.
Case Studies
