Operational envoirnment affects all identification techniques. There are different types of RFID tags which are suitable for different purposes.
The limit on tags is in the thousands. I know of use cases where entire truckload are scanned at once.
RFID need not be in the line of sight to work. They can work within suitable distance ranges for example, toll tax collection works using RFID's and sensors are capable of identifying vehicles as the pass the checkpost.
And you are absolutely right that a RFID based solution needs to consider all pros and cons before it is actually implemented.
@Barbara: You are absolutely right. Tagging is one of the ways for authenticity control and with proper scanning counterfieting can be identified easily.
@hm: Your point about the cost is of primary concern to the manufacturing sector. They need to come up with a plan to balance the cost with benefits. Hence, tagging everything might not be possible given the price tag a product has.
Dave, I agree with you on the fact that the technological infrastructure is a pre requisite for implementing any auto identification technique. I am sure that the infrastructure in the developing nations is not at par with that of the US or Europe. But I can assure you things here are not as gloomy as they might look.
Even in the developing nations paper based environments are being discouraged and enterprises are opting for ERP systems. One key factor for this is because it becomes easier to communicate with the suppliers and the customers. EDI (Electronic Data Exchange) is getting popular in this region. Therefore, RFID or any other identification technique can be deployed.
@Nemos, RFID is not an improved bar code scheme. It is a completely different auto-identification technique that is being used in the industry to identify products.
@hm: Tagging is one of the ways the electronics industry believes will stop counterfieting. If every item is tagged, then a simle scan will authenticate the product. Unfortunately, becuase so many single components are used in a product, tagging each becomes prohibitively expensive.
Is there need for tagging everything? Many product will become costly and conusmer may not like to pay for it. Tagging at final product level or at module level may be worth experimenting.
The supply chain in developing countries in which the article mentions many issues with inventory management will require some fundamental upgrades before RFID can be used.In many cases, the processes employed in these countries are extremely manual and paper based.Supply chain systems in general will need to be implemented with regular barcode scanning.RFID can be looked at once the fundamentals are in place to take advantage of other technologies in these countries.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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