RFID, or Radio-Frequency Identification, is a method of storing data and retrieving it via radio waves. Much in the same way a barcode can store information about a type of product, RFID tags contain unique identifiers that correspond to inventory database records. Switching to RFID in your logistics chain offers some significant advantages over traditional inventory control methods.

WIRELESS SCANNING

One of the major advantages of RFID in logistics is how quickly RFID tags can provide information compared to barcoding or other systems. With a barcode, you have to pass each code over a scanner to register the item. RFID works wirelessly, so you can point a scanner at a box of items and register each one without having to take them out first. A powerful enough RFID scanner could inventory entire rooms at once, making inventory tracking a much faster process.

UNIQUE TRACKING

RFID tags contain a microchip or other storage device that can contain a large amount of information. This allows you to place individual identifiers on products, rather than using a single barcode for an entire class of items, and to follow individual items through your logistics chain, instead of needing to extrapolate that data from inventory numbers. This also allows you to track a defective item back to its source in a much easier manner than with other tracking methods.

REAL-TIME UPDATES

Because scanning and inventory control is much faster with RFID than with other forms of management, the system lends itself to integration with wireless communication systems and real-time inventory management systems. This allows you to query the database at any time and find out exactly how much of a given product you have on hand, instead of getting numbers that may be days or weeks old. RFID scanners built into the entrances of warehouses can even scan crates as they enter and leave, providing instant updates of inventory totals that can propagate to other users across the company network.

INTEGRATION WITH OTHER SYSTEMS

The same RFID tags that provide inventory information can also provide other services as well. Security scanners at building exits can let your system know instantly when any product leaves the premises, allowing you to spot theft or misdirected shipments quickly and correct the problem. Likewise, scanning RFID tags at entry and exit points allows confirmation of shipping and delivery of goods, allowing you to trace a shipment as it moves through your logistics chain, and provide accurate estimates of arrival to customers or other business units.
 

It is not a new story that RFID applied into the access control sector. The earliest RFID technology that emerged in Access control setor shall turn back time to mid 20th century, And it was first introduced at low frequency of 125 khz, with a unique ID number inside the chip. EM4100 chip, as one of the most typical chips, emerged in this stage. It brought a hurricane to the traditional access control sector, which the traditional physical keys were gradually replaced by a piece of card. It not only brings convenience but also maintain high security.

Glory of ATT5557 chips in access control system

While as technology developed, the traditional EM4100 chip is no longer worked well, because the ID number could be easily duplicated, which make its safety severely be doubted. Then ATA5557 chips emerged in the stage, it is a chip with pin code embedded, which allow user to set up the password for safety concerns. To better protect the password, this T5557 chip also adopt a interesting settings, which if the password misread for over 3 times, the chip will permanently locked and can not be used any more. The market’s response is so appreciated that access control systems based on T5557 chips rapidly occupy the market.

Lord of chips for NXP Mifare 1k s50 chips

Time turns to 21st century, NXP mifare 1k chips, which worked at high frequency of 13.56 Mhz whipped up a thunderstorm. It was no longer merely bear UID code or passwords, it extended the multiple functions, up to 1kB memory organized in 16 independent sectors, each sectors could sets an application and its passwords. It is amazing function, which make multiple applications in one card possible, beside it contains a logical counter, which allows it able to conduct plus and deduct algorisms. It was so popular as if all the RFID cards bear this Mifare 1k chip in one night. It is still the most welcome chip in the market.

New Emperor- NFC mobile phones and bio technology in access control

Early at year 2005, Nokia have published its NFC mobile phone, which could conduct the same functions as Mifare 1k s50 chip does. This emerged NFC technology though is fantastic, it is not accepted by user’s then. In 2007, Apple launched innovative Iphone, which completely overturn the whole phone sector. And this impact also affect the newly born NFC technology, the Andriod Mobile phone is the first mobile that publicly support NFC technology. By using this technology, NFC that used in Access control is gradually into reality.

Advantages of RFID in access control

Contactless identification with limited read distance. Just a simply touch will the card be indentified.  Limited read range also provide user protecting their user’s data and prevent  unwanted operation 

Access control data management. RFID technology help users more efficiently manage visitor’s access data, such as vistor’s profile, password and access authority through relevant RFID software. Time attendance system is based on this idea. 

Security . RFID provides reliable security features either by its unique ID and password or by its encryption algorisms. Especially when advanced DES and 3DES encryption algorisms introduced, user data by nowadays technology is impossible to break.