We have all heard about RFID tagging of animals and pets now chipping is happening to fishes.

RFID is certainly going places, recently in Singapore it has gone under water. The Singapore Underwater World recently announced the latest RFID enabled sea aquarium exhibit. Several species of fish - Arapaima, Alligator Gar, Flower Ray, Pacu, Redtail Catfish, Shovelnose Catfish and Walking Catfish are implanted with RFID. In the past, visitors would have to match fish by their shape and colour to static information wall panels to figure them out. After a couple of tanks, it gets too tedious to find which is which - I know because I was there too.

NOW, when a fish moves within the vicinity of the RFID reader, the information about the fish runs up on the touch-screen display. And of course the visitor can interact further with the device to learn more information about the fish - its really something!

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My first post in 07. I had been absent and bogged down with a ton of projects. Finally getting a chance to catch up after quite a while I must say.

I saw the keynote address by Steve Jobs on iPhone on the Internet. The iPhone is truly revolutionary, multiple counts in breakthroughs. Except for a few unfathomable questions in my mind, it is still a must “BUY” - at least for me. Hopefully by then, some of the technology capabilities in my wish list will be built in when it is shipped to Asia in 08.

What I find most puzzling is - why did he not build 3G capabilities into it?! The other thing is, I can imagine with its cult status building into a frenzy, RFID may just go mainstream into widespread consumer usage if it had been considered for the device. I did not hear Jobs once mentioned the word “RFID”.

Imagine waving out iPhone to get on the transit. Firstly, that is one less card out of that bulky wallet crying out for space. And of course, you get to enjoy that egotistical experience of flashing the WOW-toy every once more often.

Varying RFID standards could be the issue. In places like Hong Kong, Singapore, China (Shen Zhen), India, Bangkok-Thailand Metro, RFID in transits are using Sony Felica hardware. This technology is different from other RFID hardware standards that follow ISO 15693. It is probably too risky to assume any one standard such as Felica to be the defacto in mass market adoption albeit it is by far the only large scale mass usage that affects nations of people. Check out the article by Andy Kowl - RFID - Are we there yet?

Well I am not qualified to answer any of this, however should mainstream consumer-RFID happens there is another reason to make iPhone2

ADDED ON JAN 18
I just saw a video on CNN.com titled “iPhone is so yesterday” which is exactly what I talked about on my last post. In the case of the Japanese, they use their cellphones to buy magazines, beverage fix from the vending machine, pay for transit charges and all that which makes iPhone almost Stone Age. Jobs, in his address commented that the “killer app is making calls”. Well that is like 10 years old, everybody knows that.

Today the key emerging technology enablers such as 3G, RFID, WIMAX are increasingly changing the way we live, play and work. Seriously though WIFI is what I would term as “grandpa” technology. It falls short in enabling capabilities to pinpoint objects/people within a context that would have otherwise roll our a brand new range of applications as did RFID.

As I know it, RFID started its journey into handsets as early as 2005 with NEC introducing “near-field” technology into its mobile phones. RFID technology in particular is making waves in the niche market of transportation from as far as Europe to major cities in Asia. The form factor ranges from credit card size EZ-Cards to mobile handsets. It is a proven success. The new waves of killer mobile applications are actually emerging.

Increasingly as the mobile smart device becomes a centre-piece in the mobile culture, it seems imperative that it includes emerging (key) technology enablers built in - 3G, RFID, WIMAX … It radically changes the way we connect with each other, access information, make mobile payments, mobile bank transactions, entertainment etc..

iPhone is a definite leader in device user interactions, and thats probably enough for some to head to the stores. But having a grandpa technology on iPhone doesn’t exactly sound all that exciting for me.

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Yearly the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) recall its reserve force for what is known as the Individual Physical Proficiency Test or more famously known as IPPT. IPPT consists of five testing stations : (1) 50 metres sprint, (2) Standing Broad Jump, (3) Chin-up, (4) Sit-n-Reach, (5) 2.4 KM run. The last couple of years, we have seen initiatives to automate the testing procedures for each station using a combination of light sensors and RFID technology.

Particularly for the last station - a 2.4km run, each runner carries a RFID chip on their body. The RFID system will record the start time, number of laps, lap time, and end time for each individual run. The nice thing I like about it is when I complete a lap, it shows my own lap time/count on a huge display board nearby. It saves me the pain of looking at my watch everytime, counting my lap time mentally while busting my lungs for oxygen. At least for me, it is a huge improvement from the old manual system we used to have. I can stay focus on the run and keep the momentum going.

Similarly, same application is used for rollerblading. We’ll set up RFID gates at the start / end lines. Every racer carries a RFID chip, and when he zooms past the gates, the RFID system tracks his current lap count and lap time. On his last lap, when he races past the gates, the system captures his end time. Nice, and fuss free … pretty much everything is automated here.

In fact I just remembered I knew someone who worked for HS Sports in the UK, and they tagged race cars to automate lap counts, and time. I have not seen it for myself, but he did mention that they stick RFID tags at the base of a car, take an average of the several timing samplings for each lap as the car races past the line.

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On this post, we will cover RFID basics to help a newcomer gain a flavour of the technology. This is by no means comprehensive, and only aims to serve starters rather than the main dish itself.

RFID Types
RFID is commonly grouped into its operating frequencies.

• Low Frequencies or LF
  RFID devices operate at 125 KHz - 148 KHz. The reading range at this frequency is typically 0.5 inches to 4 inches.
• High Frequencies or HF
  RFID devices operate at 13.56Mhz. The reading range of HF devices typically go from a few inches to several feet. With longer reading distances, HF enables other commonly installed applications such as RFID security gates, library management applications. Singapore National Library Board ( NLB ) uses HF technology for all its library branches.
• Ultra High Frequencies or UHF
  Commerical companies like Intermec and Alien Technology offer devices in this space. UHF devices operate in 915 MHz. UHF devices achieve the furthest reading range of the three. Typically from above 1 metre.

RFID Nemesis
There are several factors, arising from environmental or project requirement, that will degrade the smooth functioning of a RFID setup.

• Metal Effects
  HF Devices suffers serious interface from metallic objects. Metallic objects blocks the path of HF signals, with the effect of degrading or in some circumstances cancel the readability of the devices. LF devices on the other hand works fairly well in both metal and fluid based environments.
• Fluid Effects
  UHF devices cannot negotiate RF signals in the presence of fluids such as the human body. The human body composed mostly fluid cause serious signal interference for UHF devices. To do a simple experiment. Place an UHF tag completely hidden in your palm, and bring the UHF tag completed enclosed in your palm close to a reader-antenna. The result is, the tag remains undetected even at close range.

Standards
International Standards defines a framework for interoperability between manufacturers of tags, readers and antenna. This creates a platform that allows different vendors to create hardware and software products to work with each other by adhering to operating standards. Again, the list is by no means comprehensive but aims only give you a flavour of the existing commonly applied standards in the RFID world.

EPCGlobal is a non-profit group that is leading the overall industry to develop standards for the use Electronic Product Code ( EPC ) in RFID. They are instrumental in driving the RFID Gen(eration) 2 specification and getting a slew of vendors to roll out products based on the new specifications. The RFID Gen 2 is submitted to the ISO standards committee.

ISO 15693 defines the ISO standard for devices operating in the 13.56 MHz frequency.

ISO 11784 & ISO 11785 defines the standards that regulate RFID usage for animals. While ISO 11784 defines the data structure of the identification code, ISO 11785 specifies the protocol aspects for the transponderd, data transmission requirements between the transponder and the transceiver.

RFID Gen 2 defines a specification that combines RFID technology, the Internet and Electronic Product Codes to provide a highly efficient information delivery throughout supply chains.

RFID Middleware
RFID Middleware is a software platform that manages RFID data. The middleware software layer filters RFID data from RFID Readers, and routes the data to a multitude of enterprise systems within the business. A significant component common with providers of RFID middleware software is the RFID device management. This layer of software negotiates events triggered by new RFID data detected at the RFID reader device level. New RFID data is subsequently filtered and translated to business related events and sent to the respective systems for appropriate response.

RFID Integration
RFID integration stems from the need for organizations to incoporate RFID technology into existing hardware and software infrastructure. Almost all the time, phase-in approach to RFID adoption is preferred in order to control the costs and risks of the investment. There is a certain amount of complexity involved in RFID integration. For sizeable projects, this will include the integration of the RFID middleware software that provides a platform for scalability.

For example, existing software process will have a built-in procedure to issuing unique identification codes for current inventory. By what means, can additional software be structured to seamlessly incoporate RFID to existing systems? Bearing in mind the freshly integrated RFID component should not disrupt the existing operations flow.

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Sokymat developed one of the first tamper proof jewellery tags in the world. The tag operates in 13.56Mhz. One of its most distinguishing feature is that the tag cannot be removed without leaving behind a physical electronic trace of tampering.

The tamper proof tag is priced approximately USD$1.20 per tag for a quantity of 40,000. In order to reuse the tag, the Sokymat delivers the used tamper proof tags to a factory at the cots of USD0.25 per piece.

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Enterprise Jewlery Software implements a security feature using RFID. The solution approaches the problem with appropriate theft preventive measures and recovery.

Placing antennas into each display space, jewelry items are continously scanned real-time 24 hours. Thefts often happens at the counter when an enthusiastic sales person loses track of the items that are removed from the drawer while showing dazzling jewels to potential buyers. This is the opportune time for the attacker to strike, to conveniently drop off an extra item in his pocket.

Using RFID scanners built into every shelf, the EJS system will pick up if an unusual number of jewelry items are removed from the display. The system immediately alerts the store manager who tunes in to the activity and responds accordingly. EJS can be integrated with panning camera systems to observe any suspicious activity in the store.

This sharply contrasts a jewelry RFID system using handheld readers. A cheaper alternative, however the semi automated solution cannot implement the security feature described above. Missing items detected using a handheld RFID solution is often too late for item recovery.

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I spoke with a manager of a jewelry store recently about using RFID technology. She is in charge of the day to day administrative operations of two retail stores.

All through our meeting, she associated RFID solely with getting her staff less work so that they can knock off from work earlier. But really, I was not getting through to her about ROI. She was looking at RFID from a b-r-o-a-d perspective. B-r-o-a-d perspective generalizes RFID implementation, while disregarding specific RFID strategies that can mean enormous savings for the organization. It paints a picture of luxuries, the company can afford NOT to have.

I believe RFID ROI will only make sense when implementation is highly focused, targeting to fit / improve / newly enable specific roles within the business. Wide scale RFID implementation across multiple supply chains, interchangeably among companies is unlikely to happen not unless the RFID prices fall further. The alternative for RFID integrators who are looking to create a valuable proposition for their clients must examine the places RFID can fit and expand current business capabilities. Look at opportunities where RFID can optimize processes, enable a new business function that places the company above its competitors.

The obvious calculator are

1. Time-savings, bulk scanning versus per item scanning
2. Cost per error
3. Savings in cost of labour - E.g. 10 men vs 3 men in annual costs
4. Value of timely data acquisition which ties in with my next point
5. Quantify inventory efficiencies

Look into the chief bottlenecks of the current system for applicable RFID areas.

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Like it or not, RFID is here. There is a growing population seeking to learn more RFID stories, RFID middleware, RFID equipment, RFID myths, RFID everything. I thought it will be interesting to compare the number of searches for RFID in comparison for the technology it is displacing or replacing.

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It is traditional to justify an investment in RFID technology far more superior than barcodes system. Often the key ROI is calculated in terms of operational productivity. While this is wonderful news to companies that are looking for systems that drive bottomline downwards, there are greater RFID treasures waiting to be uncovered. Today at a meeting with a director from Schimidt Electronics, he painted his vision of RFIDed solutions in various verticals. He was literally going in circles about creating efficient inventory channels for various applications.

Lets fast forward backend supply chain RFID usages to the heart of retailing. The question I am more interested is exploring how can RFID help drive revenues through enhanced customer experience? Could RFID enable in-store products that connect with shoppers emotionally? RFID can define new personalized customer interaction. RFID is an investment for a remarkable experience, that differentiates itself from other stores offering similar products. RFID ROI figures for customer centric usages makes up equally well if not better than backend supply chain management stories.

• This is another story about how RFID is used to create a novel feature that resulted in a sold out. When Star Wars Episode I was released, Hasbro, a toy manufacturer produced models of Darth and other SW characters with embedded RFID tags in them. Using an accompanied RFID reader, it will recognize its character based on the tag and plays a cool liner dialogue from the movie. It was a runaway success, driving increased sales for the toy company. That was quite a connection RFID helped achieved with customers.
• A possible scenario in the jewelry retail. The service staff removes a tagged piece of jewelry from the showcase, places it on a RFID tray and offers it to the customer. During this time, the RFID integrated media system detects the presence of the tag via the RFID tray, retrieves its information and plays a relevant video of a model wearing the jewelry on the nearby plasma screen. The system also remembers the number of times the jewelry product has been requested. It gets more interesting when product sales is compared to its actual display placements.
• The same idea can be adapted for a fashion store. As the shopper walks into the changing room to try on the new clothing, the RFID reader detects the tagged clothing and plays a personalized promotional video of the product. In UK London, Marks and Spencer rolled out RFID trial stores over 9 stores. By 2006, the number of Marks and Spencer stores participating will extend to 42. The application was intended to ensure optimum on-shelf product availability for their customers. I would think the application can easily be extended to include product marketing within their stores.

There are probably a dozen and more innovative retail uses for RFID. I think I will add to this list as I learn more. If you have other ideas or heard of others, feel free to leave a comment and I will update the list.

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We have added a couple of niceties to the latest version of Enterprise Jewelry Software Solution. The advance search capabilities of the software is one of the celebrated new features that we have included. Previously the system could only retrieve jewelry items information using a unique serial number or by barcode scanning the physical product. With the latest inclusion, the search capabilities has gone up several notches. The team provided a list of search criterias that users can specify to match and retrieve relevant search results of jewelry items. To retrieve a useful small set of relevant results among tens of thousands of different jewelry combinations, this new feature is God-sent. In particular, we added a keyword search function. So for instance if the customer asked for the availability of “butterfly” shaped pendants, the user selects the relevant dropdown list for CATEGORY (e.g. pendant) and type in the text “butterfly” in the KEYWORD textfield and hit enter. What follows is a result list of pendants of various types (metal or stone combinations) that are associated with the text “butterfly”.

Click to view screenshot

The system also provides both RFID and barcode modules, depending which flavour you prefer.

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