Mendix, a Siemens business and global provider of low-code application development for the enterprise, has announced that the European online optical retailer, Vision Direct, used the Mendix platform to build a number of applications that simplify backend processes and streamline order fulfilment.
Retail Data Capture Technology News
Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) refers to the process of automatically identifying and collecting data about objects/goods, then logging this information in a computer. The term AIDC refers to a range of different types of data capture devices. These include barcodes, biometrics, RFID (Radio Frequency Identification), magnetic stripes, smart cards, OCR (Optical Character Recognition) and voice recognition. AIDC devices are deployed in a wide range of environments, including: retail, warehousing, distribution & logistics and field service.
Gamma Location Intelligence targets £1.1 million in revenue as it launches Storecast Sentry to UK retailers
Dec 07, 2021
Gamma Location Intelligence (Gamma LI), the location intelligence services provider in the UK and Ireland, is launching its Storecast Sentry software platform in the UK and expects it to drive £1.1 million in recurring revenue by 2023.
UK drone industry is one of many British industries facing ‘cliff edge threat’ unless Government speeds up post-Brexit accreditation
Dec 07, 2021
The future of the UK drone industry, one of Britain’s prime opportunities for growth, and many other UK-based manufacturing exporters, will be severely threatened once the UK’s eligibility for the EU’s CE accreditation regime expires at the end of December 2022.
The Great EDA Migration: 85% of businesses striving for Event-Driven Architecture
Dec 06, 2021
Solace, the solutions provider for powering real-time event-driven enterprises, has announced the results of what it describes as an industry-first survey on event-driven architecture (EDA), shedding light on how organisations are striving to incorporate real-time data and event-driven architecture into their IT landscape.
3 ways to approach a recommendation system for an online store
Dec 06, 2021
By Richard Grant, freelance writer.
Providing e-commerce customers with recommendations of other products to add to their basket based on their behaviors and buying habits is a great sales tactic.There are a few options when it comes to implementing a recommendation system on your own shopping site, so you have a certain amount of flexibility available to you.
14% of women and over 5% of men feel fatigued after video meetings
Nov 30, 2021
Do you ever feel mentally drained, sleepy or anxious after video conferencing? Well, you’re not alone. While video chat has helped many businesses stay connected, there’s a new ailment that’s sweeping online workers.
Retailers urged to accept cash payments that match new £100 contactless limit in cash fight back
Nov 30, 2021
A ‘cash fight back’ has stepped up a level with retailers being urged to accept cash payments to at least to the same level as the new £100 contactless limit.
The call comes from consumer champions, the UK Cash Supply Alliance (CSA), a not-for-profit cash industry organisation which is also encouraging frustrated customers to press their case with ‘refusenik retailers’ and ensure payment parity for legal tender.
Tips to keep your store's database optimized
Nov 30, 2021
By Richard Grant, freelance writer.
Databases are used across the retail industry in operations of all sizes to track inventory, store customer information and so much more besides.However, a poorly optimized database can be more of a hindrance than a help. To avoid this, here are some actionable tips for boosting performance and avoiding common database conundrums.
DATASENSING is born: vision, sensors and safety devices for industry 4.0
Nov 29, 2021
Industrial automation is based on detecting the presence, position or quality of an object in any part of the production or logistics process.
Financial Technology trends in 2022
Nov 27, 2021
By Darren Harrison, freelance writer.
Financial technology has been with us for longer than it may seem. The first appearance of financial technology was back in 1969 with the invention of the ATM, installed at the Chemical Bank in New York. Nowadays, paying for something with a mobile, transferring money online, buying insurance, and using online banking apps are some ways that we all use fintech every day.
Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC)
Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include:
- Barcodes
- QR codes
- Radio frequency identification (RFID)
- Biometrics
- Magnetic stripes
- Optical character recognition (OCR)
- Smart cards
- Voice recognition
AIDC is used in a wide variety of applications, including:
- Inventory management
- Shipping and logistics
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Transportation
- Security
Automatic Identification and Data Capture (AIDC) refers to the methods of automatically identifying objects, collecting data about them, and entering that data directly into computer systems (i.e. without human involvement). Technologies typically considered as part of AIDC include bar codes, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), biometrics, magnetic stripes, Optical Character Recognition (OCR), smart cards, and voice recognition. AIDC is also commonly referred to as “Automatic Identification,” “Auto-ID,” and "Automatic Data Capture."
Barcoding has become established in several industries as an inexpensive and reliable automatic identification technology that can overcome human error in capturing and validating information. AIDC is the process or means of obtaining external data, particularly through analysis of images, sounds or videos. To capture data, a transducer is employed which converts the actual image or a sound into a digital file which can be later analysed. Radio frequency identification (RFID) is relatively a new AIDC technology which was first developed in 1980’s. The technology acts as a base in automated data collection, identification and analysis systems worldwide
In the decades since its creation, barcoding has become highly standardised, resulting in lower costs and greater accessibility. Indeed, word processors now can produce barcodes, and many inexpensive printers print barcodes on labels. Most current barcode scanners can read between 12 and 15 symbols and all their variants without requiring configuration or programming. For specific scans the readers can be pre-programmed easily from the user manual.
Despite these significant developments, the adoption of barcoding has been slower in the healthcare sector than the retail and manufacturing sectors. Barcoding can capture and prevent errors during medication administration and is now finding its way from the bedside into support operations within the hospital.
Radio-frequency identification (RFID)
RFID is the wireless non-contact use of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data. Unlike a bar code, the tag does not necessarily need to be within line of sight of the reader, and may be embedded in the tracked object. It can also be read only or read-write enabling information to be either permanently stored in the tag or it can be read-write where information can be continually updated and over-written on the tag.
RFID has found its importance in a wide range of markets including livestock identification and Automated Vehicle Identification (AVI) systems and are now commonly used in tracking consumer products worldwide. Many manufacturers use the tags to track the location of each product they make from the time it's made until it's pulled off the shelf and tossed in a shopping cart.
These automated wireless AIDC systems are effective in manufacturing environments where barcode labels could not survive. They can be used in pharmaceutical to track consignments, they can also be used in cold chain distribution to monitor temperature fluctuations. This is particularly useful to ensure frozen and chilled foods have not deviated from the required temperature parameters during transit.
Cost used to be a prohibitive factor in the widespread use of RFID tags however the unit costs have reduced considerably to make this a viable technology to improve track and trace throughout the supply chain. Many leading supermarket chains employ RFID insisting that their suppliers incorporate this technology into the packaging of the products in order to improve supply chain efficiency and traceability.
Overall, AIDC is a powerful technology that can be used to improve efficiency, accuracy, and traceability in a wide variety of applications. However, it is important to weigh the costs and benefits of AIDC before implementing a system.
Here are some examples of how AIDC is used in different industries:
- In the retail industry, AIDC is used to track inventory levels, scan barcodes at checkout, and prevent theft.
- In the healthcare industry, AIDC is used to track patient records, identify patients, and prevent medication errors.
- In the manufacturing industry, AIDC is used to track parts and products, automate assembly lines, and prevent counterfeiting.
- In the transportation industry, AIDC is used to track cargo, track vehicles, and prevent collisions.
AIDC is a rapidly growing field, and new applications for AIDC are being developed all the time. As AIDC technology continues to develop, it is likely to become even more widespread and have an even greater impact on our lives.
