Inventory System- Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a device that is tracked by signals. With a RFID tag he or she does not have to be in direct sight for the tag to read and located. The radio frequency that the device is outputting is the same frequency that allows you to drive your car and listen to different radio stations at will. The current use today that most people utilize a RFID would be the toll tag. That little white box that is located on his or her windshield is a RFID. This inventory system has taken off since it was introduce to different vendors.
In 1973, Charles Walton was granted the first patent with the any device that is abbreviated RFID. The device is used for transportation, banking, medical, and security. In the transportation industry, companies would be able to track their products and cars could be tagged for automatic payments on toll roads. In banking, the device was for electronic check books and credit cards. Medically, hospital would be able to keep a track record of patient’s history. There was also personal was for the device; people would be able to use the device for identification, automatic gate and surveillance.
The largest company that uses the device is the U.S. Department of Defense. The U.S. Military depends on the RFID during their logistic procedures. This device keeps track of how many containers that have traveled outside the United States and where they are currently located. The RFID will be able to give an exact location of products until they have reached their final destination. Wal-Mart also use the RFID tag when they are shipping goods form their distribution warehouses to their local stores. With the current use of the device, there has been a significant amount of cost saved in the business world. The cost equipment and normal tags have decreased and the performance reliability has increased 99.9%. RFID has made inventory in supply chain management easier.