What are RFID systems? RFID stands for radio-frequency identification. It uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify, track, and assess tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically-stored information. There are two types of tags: Passive and active which has different solutions. Passive tags collect energy from nearby RFID reader’s interrogating radio waves. Active tags have a local power source such as a battery and may operate hundreds of meters from the RFID reader. Unlike a barcode, the tag doesn’t have to be within the line of sight of the reader, so it may be embedded in the tracked object. RFID tags are used in many industries including: Manufacturing, Data Centers, Law Enforcement, Education, Healthcare, etc.
Benefits
- Increase productivity
- Load empty carousels in the correct sequence for proper load balancing
- Maximize available storage space
- Designate storage areas for specific departments or clients
- Manage storage allocation across multiple carousels
- Quickly and easily locate items in High Density Storage Systems
- Create pick and return lists for efficient item storage and retrieval
- Generate reports for carousel, tray, or drawer
BSC offers customer-driven, dependable, and user-friendly asset and item tracking within the market in all surrounding Southeast states. Our RFID systems are easy to install and are powerful in providing needed information to the user to meet management and regulatory requirements. You can simplify your workflow and have critical item and asset information and location right at the palm of your hand.
Going back to the industries that commonly use RFID tags; let’s talk about each one individually to give you an idea of the importance for each.
Medical Tracking
Medical supplies often involve numerous components, all of which require sterile environments and FDA regulation compliance. Check-in, check-out, and reliable tracking are all commonly used when thinking about the sterilization phases within the healthcare facility. BSC can complete all medical asset tracking while increasing productivity. RFID within the healthcare industry allows users to not only frequently audit their assets in a fraction of the time of normal methods, it also provides a chain-of-custody report for each asset from inception to disposal. These assets are processed in a way that makes you aware of how the asset has moved within each room of the facility. Because HIPAA and HITECH are requiring healthcare organizations to implement comprehensive and efficient systems to manage patient information, RFID could really benefit the productivity and time management within your healthcare facility.
Education Tracking
Unfortunately, theft does occur within the school’s facility. Chromebooks, iPads, computers and printers being stolen was causing major loss for the entire district both of financial resources and of time to replace. Loss reports indicated that 6-10 devices went missing, costing the district more than $20,000 a month. An efficient way to quickly get inventory count was needed to address the significant cost of asset loss at each individual school building. The system combines subtle, passive RFID tags and its software as well as an advanced, low-profile handheld scanner to inventory the real-time location of each device at the school down to the room they are located in, taking only minutes to complete. This in turn, can save so much time and money for every school district.
Law Enforcement
Whether police, fire, or other emergency services, BSC can help you manage and control any specific assets stored in your facilities using our tailored PSAP asset tracking program. Our barcode and/or other RFID solutions can provide the right tracking and management system to bring accountability to your organization. Designated storage locations and validated put-aways ensure you always know where your items are and who has them in hand. Check-outs and check-ins can be configured over-counter, in-person, or hands-free without supervision using RFID. BSC can be used with barcode equipment to scan the badge and code on each item, or hands-free using RFID, without having to stop and sign anything out, which in turn, speeds up your daily productivity.
Essential Features of Asset Tracking
- Scalable to your needs
- Quick return on investment
- Tracking and auditing
- Intuitive functionality
- Configure and manage zones and sub-zones
- Barcode and RFID systems
- Software enhancements
- Flexible hardware options
- Function specific kiosks
To learn more about asset tracking contact a local BSC representative at 205-988-3300.