What is RFID?
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is made up of three components: a transponder or tag, a reader or exciter and the necessary supporting infrastructure such as communications hardware and software. The RFID tag, which in most cases, consists of a chip and antenna mounted onto a substrate or an enclosure. The chip is composed of a processor, memory and radio transmitter. These transponders/tags communicate via radio frequency to a reader, which has its own antennas. The readers can interface through a wired or a wireless medium to a main computer. Transponders/tags are also known as smart or radio tags.
Isn't it expensive?
The two primary types of RFID technologies are active and passive. Active RFID transponders are self-powered and are more expensive than passive. Self-powered active tags have greater communication distance and usually larger memory capacity than passive tags.
Passive RFID transponders have no internal power source and require external power to operate (Figure 1). A transponder/tag is powered in one of two ways: inductive coupling or back-scatter. Low-frequency and High-frequency tags are powered using inductive coupling where an electromagnetic signal is transmitted from a reader. The signal received will charge an internal capacitor on the transponder, which in turn, will then supply the energy required to communicate with the reader.
How long has it been around?
RFID is not new, one of its original uses being the identification of friendly aircraft during the Second World War. Until recently the technology was viewed as being too expensive and too limited in functionality for most commercial applications. Advances in technology have both reduced the cost of individual system components and provided increased capabilities, to the point where numerous organizations are either using or considering using RFID technology. In fact, some organizations, notably Wal-Mart and the US Defense Department, have mandated the use of RFID by their business partners.
What's in it for my business?
The beauty of the Lygase unique business intelligence solutions lies in the ability to produce meaningful data reports and dashboards that will create the insight needed to make pro-active decisions related your business. Efficient processes result in improved bottom lines. By understanding the real-time traffic patterns of consumers and assets we allow industries of all types become more responsive to businesses internal needs and the needs their customers. As we enter into a new era, companies are researching cost efficient methods, to:
- Maintain Competitive advantage
- Instant ROI / Increased Profits
- Reduce time and labor cost
- Pro-active response to consumers needs
- Accountability/ Audit ability
- Reduce carbon foot-print through Green solutions
Lygase develops custom web-based, business intelligence applications that will equip business with the insights that are needed in order to make more quantitative, fact based business decisions. This understanding is only made possible through analysis of the data. We offer a solution that not only enables business to capture real-time data, but delivers this data in a meaningful way through customized reports and dashboards. The Lygase application framework is hardware agnostic which makes it possible to offer our clients sensor based technology options (i.e., RFID, Ultra-wide band, Zigbee, mobile and Wi-Fi). Our intent is not to peddle hardware, and is our goal to whenever possible leverage the clients existing infrastructure.
The ability to collect data in real-time and report these insights in a meaningful way is where Lygase differentiate ourselves from the competition offering RTLS solutions. Lygase web-based business intelligence solutions provide our clients the insights through careful analysis of your data captured using sensor technology. Custom reports determine dwell time and location of their assets or people, which can provide insights to your business never before possible. Our application framework features the ability to apply business rules, customize on demand, and create rules based alerts will empower business of all industries with the insights necessary make adjustments and respond swiftly to ever-evolving changes that impact the way business is done as the world turns.
The Lygase suite of Smart solutions is web-based applications developed to address the need for efficiencies made possible through real-time location systems (RTLS). The possibilities are endless in terms of how our software and hardware solutions can be applied. Contact us today to learn of a Smart solution that can be customized to fit your business needs.