The concept of electronic tagging originated back during the World War II days with a device that was designed to transmit audio information for espionage purposes. The device was not created to be a tracking tool, but its concept is embedded in the sphere that, today, is called rfid technology. RFID (radio frequency identification) technology uses electromagnetic fields to wirelessly transmit and transfer information concerning an item that has been tagged. The technology is widely used in industries such as manufacturing facilities. These companies will take advantage of a process to track their product from the time it leaves the assembly line to when it reaches the warehouse and customers across the country. Although similar to barcoding, an RFID tag does not need to be where a person can see it and may actually be located inside the product or object.
Obviously, radio frequency identification raises serious issues of security as it would not be easy to identify the presence of RFID. Since an RFID tag could be attached to items such as cash, cell phones and other personal items, the issue of being able to secure personal information is also of concern. However, the technology is here, and it is useful. The idea is to learn to use it most effectively.
Currently, RFID is employed in processes such as access management, in airports to track luggage and other items in the baggage department, in toll booths that do not require a manned operator, tracking products and other consumer goods, and even tracking people, such as the bracelets placed on prisoners in halfway houses. Other processes where RFID is useful include hospitals and other health care facilities, enabling staff members, doctors and nurses to track data in real time that is related to a specific person or task. Libraries use the RFID in the place of barcodes for their library resources. In countries such as England and Japan, schools are taking advantage of RFID by putting the tracking chips in school uniforms and backpacks, allowing them to keep up with their students.
The technology of RFID has been estimated to have drawn more than $20 billion dollars since the beginning of 2014. Stay tuned to internet news and other media for more on RFID successes.