Today, RFID tagging has become the most commonly and widely used wireless technology after mobile phone. Financial experts say that this technology can help textile and apparel companies save billions of dollars by providing quick and exact data of different items located in different locations at any point of time.
RFID tag is a small wireless chip with radio circuit wherein digital data is encoded. In other words, it is similar to the bar code technology but instead of using optical scanning on the bar codes, radio waves are used to capture the data from the tags. There are mainly two types of RFID tags.
Tags that have their own power source are called active tags and those without it are known as passive tags. With the help of radio frequency (RF) scan of the reader, passive tags are activated. However, the memory capacity and the distance range to be read are greater in active tags.
There are numerous applications for using RFID tagging system and the companies who adopt it first will get a competitive advantage in the business. Although RFID tags are more expensive than the bar codes, its use is increasing in supply chain management as an alternative to bar code system. As they do not fall off, get dirty or need an unblocked line of sight between the tag and the reader.
RFID technology has come up with nano based RFID tags. These tags are so small that it can be fixed inside the product itself. It can be read from a distance and all the items in a package or shelf can be scanned together instead of one by one item as done in bar code system. It can store and send out much more information than a bar code.
Nano-based RFID technology will encourage people to adopt RFID. It is as small as a flake of snow and is almost useful in everything. As mentioned earlier, to read the RFID tags or labels, it does not require unobstructed line of sight. This is an important point of difference and characteristics of RFID technology. Hence, the reader does not have to depend on the light sensors to read the information.
The textile and the fashion industry were early ones to choose RFID technology. Big brands have adopted this technology and have achieved remarkable benefits. Apparel items are expensive and are many times stolen. Theft takes places at the distribution centre, warehouse, while shipping, when they arrive at the store or when they are being counted.
RFID provides greater control and visibility than bar codes as items are automatically counted at each step of the supply chain. With technological advancement, companies with theft problem can link their RFID to security cameras to track if any item goes missing. When the total savings is calculated from theft reduction, wrong shipments, labor saving, RFID will return the investment cost to the apparel suppliers within a year.
The fact that nano RFID tags are more efficient and are replacing bar codes is another feather in the cap for textile and apparel industry. RFID technology enables faster retail checkouts and simultaneously maintains the inventory easily. Using RFID not only reduces labor cost but also increase customer service efficiency and decrease printing cost as they are silicon based.
In textile and apparel sector, one can strictly control the production, sales and storage processes using RFID tags. The advantages of RFID tags are well-known but they have some outstanding characteristics also. For example it can be read through snow, ice, chemicals and other visually testing substances, where bar codes fail. RFID tags have greater operational speed for identification i.e. in most of the cases; it scans in less than 100 milliseconds.
RFID systems are beneficial in operations like stock tracking due to its instant read and write property. They provide a clear picture of availability of goods in no time. According to a survey 56 out of 58 retailers in North America, promotes the use of RFID system in their retail supply chain.
There are many RFID applications used in textile and apparel industries. It is used for product tracking, tracking labor movement, verifying the production output, quality control, checking inventories of different stores in the retail chain. It is also used in spinning sector. By placing the tags in the respective semi-finished materials, it avoids product mixing.
Generally the normal RFID tags are not washable and bar codes also cannot be used in the process of dry cleaning and washing. To solve this problem, a German company has introduced RFID tags that can be ironed or stitched on the fabric of the garment. The new tags have an average life of 10 years and are completely safe for processes like tumble drying and ironing. It can endure temperature up to 40 degrees.
RFID enables easy accessibility of products. In retail selling, it helps the seller to identify the exact location of the item, resulting into quick handling of customer needs. In addition, RFID cards can be used on loyalty cards for identifying customer shopping history and different promotions and rewards can be offered to frequent shoppers.
Also, it is useful in return or exchange of apparel products. RFID tag can be read and it will be automatically added to the inventory. Furthermore, RFID application is used in maintaining appropriate level of stock and when the level of stock falls it alerts the stockroom to refill the requirement.
RFID technology is a useful tool for textile and apparel goods at every stage. However, due to the cost and tough environmental conditions in the textile production, its implementation is still limited. The development in nano based RFID tags will significantly help to promote RFID implementation, not only in textile and apparel industry but also in other commercial companies.
References:
1. Whatis.techtarget.com
2. Spacedaily.com
3. Rfidjournal.com
4. Indiantextilejournal.com
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