ProScan Systems, specialist in barcoding, data collection, wireless networking and mobile technologies, recently deployed its radio frequency identification (RFID) strategy in SA, starting with its channel partners during June with plans to reach the end-users in the supply chain by the fourth quarter of this year.
ProScan is the sole distributor for Intermec Technologies in southern Africa. Intermec is one of the leading providers of data collection and RFID products, technologies and solutions in the US and Europe, with an advanced family of RFID Intellitag products.
An Intermec team, headed by Stuart Scott, Director of Marketing and Business Development for EMEA, recently visited SA to assist ProScan to implement its RFID strategy.
According to Scott, SA is six to nine months ahead of Europe as it operates on the same ultra-high frequency of 915MHz as the US, whereas Europe operates on a lower frequency, which still awaits ratification.
Intermec`s family of RFID Intellitag products support both frequency ranges all the way from 862 to 928MHz and meet all existing and emerging RFID item management standards established to date.
Andrew Fosbrook, Managing Director of ProScan, said that one of the key inhibitors to the effective take-up of RFID in SA is the transfer of knowledge. "For this reason, we`ve adopted a dual-prong approach to the deployment of RFID. Firstly, a handful of data collection channel partners, who`ve had years of experience in the field and are skilled in Intermec products, have been selected to undergo comprehensive sales and technical training on all aspects of RFID - from how to correctly sell RFID, site inspections, how to design a system, how to configure the hardware and select the best tags and readers for the job.
"We`ve also chosen application-specific channel partners, such as warehouse management experts, and will match them with our newly trained RFID specialists to implement this aspect of the data collection installation.
"Secondly, we recognise the need to assist our channel partners to drive RFID to end-users in the retail, transport and logistics, fast-moving consumer goods and industrial industries. For this reason, we`re putting together a marketing campaign, which also comprises a series of focused workshops and seminars for large corporates to review their current technology and assess how RFID can enhance their supply chain."
According to Fosbrook, there are two types of RFID systems operating in SA. "The first one is the closed loop, where RFID technology is cost-effectively used to track and trace larger items within an organisation. For example, a leading medical waste disposal company and packaging producer use Intermec tags and readers to track items through their lifecycle. These tags are then rewritten to and reused.
"The second type of RFID system that will occur in the near future will be driven by compliance tagging. As tagging is adopted by large retailers in the US and Europe, South African exporters will be forced to use RFID track and tracing systems on a pallet level in order to comply with their customers` requirements."
Fosbrook believes that RFID-enabled systems complement rather than replace traditional barcode-based data collection systems. "For the foreseeable future we do not see RFID replacing the barcode, but in fact working along side it. As the cost of RFID tags drops, they will be used at pallet and case level. However, we believe the barcode will still be used at item level for many years to come.
"Barcode and vision systems rely on optics and require a relatively clean and moisture-free environment. RFID tags, which do not use optics, doesn`t require a clean environment or direct line of sight. RFID handles dirty, oily, wet or harsh environments. As RFID tags and readers have no moving parts, they require no maintenance. RFID tags can be read and write, are intelligent, and carry larger amounts of data compared to other identification systems. Unlike barcodes, RFID tags are virtually impossible to copy or counterfeit.
"In addition, RFID is fast as the tag can be read and communicate back in milliseconds. RFID systems can also read multiple tags at once, much faster than barcode," said Fosbrook.
Fosbrook likens the current state of RFID to barcoding in the late 1970s and early 1980s. "We have the early adopters who`ve benefited from the advantages of RFID technologies within their operations for the past few years. Compliance demands and industry standards are the key drivers that will take care of the other inhibitors, such as costs and compatibility issues, to bring it to the current sophisticated levels of the barcoding industry, but in a much shorter time."
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