RFID vs.

Barcode (ICA Assignment) – Muddasir Ali Soomro

Bar Code:
A barcode reader, also called a price scanner or point-of-sale ( POS ) scanner, is a hand-held
or stationary input device used to capture and read information contained in a bar code . A
barcode reader consists of a scanner , a decoder (either built-in or external), and a cable used
to connect the reader with a computer. Because a barcode reader merely captures and
translates the barcode into numbers and/or letters, the data must be sent to a computer so that
a software application can make sense of the data. A barcode reader works by directing a
beam of light across the bar code and measuring the amount of light that is reflected back.
(The dark bars on a barcode reflect less light than the white spaces between them.) The
scanner converts the light energy into electrical energy, which is then converted into data by
the decoder and forwarded to a computer. Barcodes are popularly known for their use in
supermarket checkouts, however they are used across industries and throughout the world to
manage and track inventory.

There are five basic kinds of barcode readers -- pen wands, slot scanners, Charge-Couple
Device scanners, image scanners, and laser scanners.

 A pen wand is the simplest barcode reader. It contains no moving parts and is known
for its durability and low cost. A pen wand can present a challenge to the user,
however, because it has to remain in direct contact with the bar code, must be held at
a certain angle, and has to be moved over the bar code at a certain speed.

 A slot scanner remains stationary and the item with the bar code on it is pulled by
hand through the slot. Slot scanners are typically used to scan bar codes on
identification cards.

 A CCD scanner has a better read-range than the pen wand and is often used in retail
sales. Typically, a CCD scanner has a "gun" type interface and has to be held no more
than one inch from the bar code. Each time the bar code is scanned; several readings
are taken to reduce the possibility of errors. A disadvantage of the CCD scanner is
that it cannot read a bar code that is wider than its input face.

 An image scanner, also called a camera reader, uses a small video camera to capture
an image of the bar code and then uses sophisticated digital image processing
techniques to decode the bar code. It can read a bar code from about 3 to 9 inches
away and generally costs less than a laser scanner.

 A laser scanner, either hand-held or stationary, does not have to be close to the bar
code in order to do its job. It uses a system of mirrors and lenses to allow the scanner
to read the bar code regardless of orientation, and can easily read a bar code up to 24
inches away. To reduce the possibility of errors, a laser scanning may perform up to
500 scans per second. Specialized long-range laser scanners are capable of reading a
bar code up to 30 feet away.
 RFID vs. Barcode (ICA Assignment) – Muddasir Ali Soomro

Advantages:

Improve Operational Efficiency

Since barcodes permit faster and more accurate recording of information, work in process can
move quickly and be tracked precisely.

Save Time

Depending on the application, time savings can be significant.

Reduce Errors

Clerical and data entry errors can be a significant source of costs and related problems: extra
freight costs, unhappy customers, and time spent to track down problems are just a few
examples.

Cut Costs

Barcodes are effective tools that can be used to address specific, localized problems or
integrated into organization-wide information systems.

Benefit from Customer or Regulatory Requirements

Regulatory agencies or your customers may impose labelling requirements that you must
meet. While these requirements may be a necessary part of doing business, you can save time
and money by utilizing the barcodes within your own operations.
 RFID vs. Barcode (ICA Assignment) – Muddasir Ali Soomro

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)

RFID is the reading of physical tags on single products, cases, pallets, or re-usable containers
that emit radio signals to be picked up by reader devices. These devices and software must be
supported by a sophisticated software architecture that enables the collection and distribution
of location-based information in near real time. The complete RFID picture combines the
technology of the tags and readers with access to global standardized databases, ensuring real
time access to up-to-date information about relevant products at any point in the supply
chain. Tags contain a unique identification number called an Electronic Product Code (EPC),
and potentially additional information of interest to manufacturers, healthcare organizations,
military organizations, logistics providers, and retailers, or others that need to track the
physical location of goods or equipment. All information stored on RFID tags accompanies
items as they travel through a supply chain or other business process. All information on
RFID tags, such as product attributes, physical dimensions, prices, or laundering
requirements, can be scanned wirelessly by a reader at high speed and from a distance of
several meters.

RFID components include:

Tag or Transponder—An RFID tag is a tiny radio device that is also referred to as a
transponder, smart tag, smart label, or radio barcode. The tag comprises a simple silicon
microchip (typically less than half a millimetre in size) attached to a small flat aerial and
mounted on a substrate. The whole device can then be encapsulated in different materials
(such as plastic) dependent upon its intended usage. The finished tag can be attached to an
object, typically an item, box, or pallet, and read remotely to ascertain its identity, position, or
state. For an active tag there will also be a battery.

Reader or Interrogator—The reader—sometimes called an interrogator or scanner—sends

and receives RF data to and from the tag via antennas. A reader may have multiple antennas
that are responsible for sending and receiving radio waves.

Host Computer—The data acquired by the readers is then passed to a host computer, which
may run specialist RFID software or middleware to filter the data and route it to the correct
application, to be processed into useful information.

Advantages:

RFID technologies are grouped under the more generic Automatic Identification (Auto-ID)
technologies. Examples of other Auto-ID technologies include Smartcards and Barcodes.
RFID is often positioned as next generation bar coding because of its obvious advantages
over barcodes. However, in many environments it is likely to co-exist with the barcode for a
long time. Rather than using light to collect or read a number from a bar code, radio waves
are used to read a number from the RFID tag. RFID therefore does not need line-of-sight to
operate. Using radio means that the tag no longer has to be visible on the object to which it is
attached; the tag can be hidden inside the item or box that is to be identified and still be read.
 RFID vs. Barcode (ICA Assignment) – Muddasir Ali Soomro

This minimizes or eliminates the need for a person to have to present the reader to the tag, as
it can now be fixed to a wall. The real benefits of RFID can be summarized as follows:

Line of sight not required

Durability
Range
Data volume
Multiple read–Speed
Read/Write–Update

RFID vs. Barcode

Radio Frequency Identification is a data collection method that utilizes low power radio
waves to send and receive data between tags and readers. RFID eliminates the need for a
direct line of sight to the tag in order to read it, which offers numerous benefits that a bar
code is incapable of providing. RFID tags have far more capability than bar codes and an
average RFID tag has a capacity of 2KB of data. But RFID won’t be the end for barcodes; in
fact the two technologies can work together to improve business. Companies who already
operate with bar codes or other types of auto-ID can use RFID to enhance operations. RFID
still has a wealth of untapped potential that integration with other technologies and software
can draw upon. Currently RFID technology is capable of increasing efficiency, providing a
high level of data integrity, lowering costs, delivering goods faster, increasing accuracy and
providing inventory visibility. All of these benefits support supply chain efficiency,
something companies strive for and one of the determining factors of success in today’s
competitive business environment. Even with all of these benefits, adoption of RFID is
moving slowly, but one must remember the business world went through a similar process
during the adoption of the bar code.