Did you know that one of the first RFID systems was used in World War II? Known as Identify Friend of Foe (IFF), the system was used to help British radar operators distinguish between friendly and enemy fighter planes and bombers.
Today, RFID solution providers offer advanced RFID technology to industries such as pharma, retail, logistics, travel and agriculture. But to get the best use of the technology for your particular requirements, it’s essential to choose the RFID solution provider that aligns with your business needs. A provider that understands your industry-specific requirements can help you choose the right solution for your business, whether it’s hardware, software, or a complete end-to-end RFID system. The first thing you should do is determine your specific needs. Accurately defined problems are easier to explore and solve, saving you time and resources. Then you’ll be able to determine what RFID tag, reader, software and solutions you’ll need. And MSM Solutions can help.
RFID is available in three frequency types with their own limitations and benefits. The right RFID solution provider will help you navigate these options to select the best fit for your business needs.
Low Frequency (LF) RFID operates at 125-134 kHz. While exceptionally short range (about two inches) isn’t good for product tracking, it is excellent for access control and works well with liquids.
High Frequency (HF) ISO/IEC 18000-3 standard operates at 13.56 MHz. The range is better at five inches but can be boosted to almost three feet with the right equipment. It’s a good solution for small items in automated lines. The same frequency is used for the NFC standard that operates financial payments within 10 cm read range.
Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) or RAIN RFID operates between 868 – 950 MHz with a range up to 10 feet at ISO/IEC 18000-63. Due to its long reach, UHF is commonly used for inventory management. The UHF RFID frequency is the primary technology MSM Solutions uses for customers.
| A Guide to RFID Frequency Types | ||
| RFID Frequency Type | Frequency Band | Applications |
| Low Frequency (LF) | 125-134 kHz | Access control Animal Tracking Pet Identification Car Immobilizers |
| High Frequency (HF) | 13.56 MHz | Access Control Public transport Ticketing Passports Card payments Medical surgical tools Healthcare Chemical Processing |
| Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) RAIN RFID | 868 – 950 MHz | Access Control Air baggage and cargo Inventory management Logistics Laundry Medical Devices Pharmaceutical Labels Retail Asset Tracking Waste management |
| Active Tags | 433 MHz – 5.8 GHz | Fleet Tracking Asset / Inventory Logistics / Container Tracking Personal Tracking Animal Monitoring Toll Tags |
RFID Tags and Readers
Once you decide on the type of frequency that best suits your needs, you need to determine if you want your RFID tags to be passive or active. The main difference between the two is the power source behind the RFID tag.
Passive tags lack a dedicated power source and rely exclusively on the RFID reader’s signal to power it. Because of this, they can be designed to be incredibly thin (like the label on a package) and are much cheaper to manufacture. Most passive tags run between $0.05 to $1.00 per unit depending on the special features of the tag like size, performance, printing, adhesive, and special materials integrated to help the tags work on metals and hard to tag items.
Active tags are typically much larger and more expensive. Costing between $5 and $100, Active tags range from 433 MHz – 5.8 GHz, contain built-in batteries that extend their range, the speed at which they can be scanned, and ability to be a beacon tag providing real-time location status (RTLS).
Regardless of frequency or power source, RFID tags don’t work unless you have a device to scan them. From handheld devices to fixed units and antennas, MSM Solutions has a RFID reader for every job. Handheld devices combine the convenience of mobility with ease of use and connectivity. Fixed readers are built to work in a variety of environments delivering extremely high-performance read capabilities. RFID reader antennas play a critical role in any RFID application. Good for indoor, outdoor, near-field or far-field use, they can scan single devices or entire pallets packed with items.
RFID Software
When selecting RFID solution providers, it’s essential to consider the software they offer. Managing your inventory with RFID tags and readers is only effective if you have the right software to process and analyze the data.
MSM Solutions’ PortalTrack RFID Software is recognized as one of the leading RFID software solutions, as featured on Technology Evaluation Center’s (TEC) list of top RFID software.
Deployed globally and trusted by the world’s largest organizations, PortalTrack software empowers you by tailoring your RFID applications for real-time monitoring and reporting.
- Give your inventory individual identities so they can account for every item.
- Track items quickly and efficiently so you can ensure everything is where it’s supposed to be.
- Perform inventory counts so you know what you have in real-time.
- Customized reporting, metrics, dashboards and facility mapping give you verifiable data.
- Access PortalTrack through any web browser for easy access anywhere you go.
The MSM Service Solution
When choosing among the many RFID solution providers, it’s important to evaluate their expertise in providing custom solutions, tailored hardware, and dedicated software. While some RFID service providers are happy to sell you the equipment and software and send you on your way, at MSM Solutions, we believe in partnerships. We take you through the process step-by-step. That’s why we meet with you to determine your needs and requirements before we do anything else. Then we determine the goals you need to meet to find success and develop a phased project plan to bring them to fruition.
To get an understanding of what this process looks like, check out how we helped Randa, the world’s largest men’s accessories company, get real-time visibility in their fulfillment center so they could better manage their inventory during peak seasons.
You can also download our comprehensive guide on The Power of RFID Software.
By partnering with one of the leading RFID solution providers like MSM Solutions, you can get the technology, software and services that will solve your RFID challenges and satisfy even your most critical requirements. To find out more about how we can help you find the right RFID solution for your business, contact MSM’s RFID solution providers today.
