Chapter - 8

FUTURE SCOPE

RFID provides a way for organizations to identify and manage stock, tools and equipment (asset tracking), etc. without manual data entry. Manufactured products such as automobiles or garments can be tracked through the factory and through shipping to the customer. Automatic identification with RFID can be used for inventory systems. Many organizations require that their vendors place RFID tags on all shipments to improve supply chain management.

RFID is used for item level tagging in retail stores. In addition to inventory control, this provides both protection against theft by customers (shoplifting) and employees ("shrinkage") by using Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS), and a self-checkout process for customers. Tags of different type can be physically removed with a special tool or deactivated electronically once items have been paid for. On leaving the shop customers have to pass near an RFID detector; if they have items with active RFID tags, an alarm sounds, both indicating an unpaid- for item, and identifying what it is.

In Access Controls, RFID tags are widely used in identification badges, replacing earlier magnetic stripe cards. Tags can also be placed on vehicles, which can be read at a distance, to allow entrance to controlled areas without having to stop the vehicle and present a card or enter an access code. RFID is used in intelligent transportation systems. In New York City, RFID readers are deployed at intersections to track E-Z Pass tags as a means for monitoring the traffic flow.