Q: What is RFID?
A: RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. This technology has been around for a long time, since the 1940’s at least. Without boring you, there are several different types of RFID tags. Two common types are ‘Passive’ and ‘Active’ tags. You can contact us at IDALLOGY for more tag types and or more info, however a simple breakdown of the two listed above are: Passive tags collect energy which is transmitted from an RFID reader or ‘interrogator’ and use this energy to respond with its own signal. ‘Active’ tags have their own power source such as a battery and can simply emit a signal quite often from much further away. RFID solutions can read tags which are not within line of sight, making them a valuable time saver/solution on most use cases.
Q: How is RFID different from barcodes?
A: Really simplified, both RFID and Barcoding are meant to accomplish the same basic results. Track your assets and add some form of process to keep things organized. Barcodes require humans to perform certain actions like physically ‘scanning’ things in order for this ‘process’ to work, while RFID allows the same information to be entered without the same requirement for human action. IDALLOGY’s RFID solution simply allows the person(s) to continue going about their everyday duties, while strategically placed ‘portals’ are set up to automatically retrieve important information. These portals are antenna and reader combinations that automatically send out and then receive RF signals from any tags within range which have been placed on items and /or people, completing the asset track and reporting process. Barcodes require a ‘line of sight’ whereas RFID does not.
Q: How expensive is RFID?
A: This depends on the assets you have and the solution required. i.e. the ‘development’ required vs. readily available, and the size and scope. Generally, RFID requires a reader and some antenna’s along with the associated cables and power supplies so keep this in mind. Then there is the tag considerations. Which tag depends on the surface of the asset, the temperature and environment, the ruggedness required (same goes for equipment used to scan the tags) as well as humidity etc etc etc.
IDALLOGY focusses on the ‘tracking’ of assets, equipment as well as evidence. We would establish all of the above to ensure that the solution is customized to your needs.
Think of what you want to track. Valuable? Expensive? Life Safety? ‘Valuable’ comes in different contexts so when you compare saving a life with an AED that has not been left in a vehicle overnight in the cold, OR if your valuable is a fleet of portable 2way radios worth 6k apiece OR if your requirement falls into any category that means you continue to do the work that is assigned to you without risk of legal or reputational damages, then no, our solution in particular is very reasonably priced. When comparing the overall cost to the hours wasted searching for or replacing valuable assets and or the audit costs that will invariably be required among a host of other unfortunate results of not properly managing your assets, IDALLOGY’s Quartermaster solution has you covered.
Q: Can I use passive tags vs active for my equipment room?
A: Passive tags are less expensive than Active tags. Generally speaking, many manufacturers do not even recommend Active tags for low to medium value assets due to the cost associated. If readers are utilized within properly configured ‘portal-styled’ solutions such as IDALLOGY’s ‘Quartermaster’ equipment sign-in/ out solution, then passive tags are actually the preferred choice for your solution and IDALLOGY would be providing a cost effective and very efficient ‘passive’ family of tags specifically designed for the surface areas of the items being monitored.
Q: Can RFID be used with Barcodes?
A: Yes, RFID tags be associated to an existing barcode solution. The RFID tag can display a human readable barcode on it (if there is enough realestate) OR the RFID tag can simply be scanned and associated to an existing barcode with IDALLOGY’s handheld software solution. Both solutions are read with the associated technology and paired into an existing database.
Q: What is the best RFID solution for first responders and public safety equipment as well as any asset sign in/out requirement?
A: IDALLOGY’s ‘Quartermaster’ solution is the way to go. Automatic sign in and sign out as well as the IDwitness option ensures that not only will your service men and women take personal accountability for your assets, but your assets will be returned on time, you will know where they are, or at least who they were with last, and can systematically determine weaknesses whether in the assets, the users, or the process in short order. Add in our notifications based on rules that apply to your processes and you will have real time tracking and accountability good to go. When the time comes for you to audit your system or equipment and assets, Quartermaster does that too.