PredictHQ has announced its Demand Impact Pattern for severe weather events, with data sets to help businesses prepare for major weather events and mitigate overall impact by integrating into machine learning models for demand forecasting.
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.
PredictHQ Demand Impact Pattern makes severe weather events consumable and explainable for demand forecasting
Nov 09, 2021
Prénatal Retail Group commits to Digital-First PLM with Aptos
Nov 09, 2021
Aptos, provider of retail technology solutions, has announced that Prénatal Retail Group, the retailer of children’s products and toys, has expanded its use of Aptos PLM to include digital buying and ordering.
Sofa Club takes the stress out of sofa shopping with new finance options
Nov 01, 2021
With data showing that double the number of shoppers are now enquiring about finance options for their new sofas, Sofa Club has risen to the occasion with the launch of a brand new partnership which will give customers more choice than ever.
New Cloud 'Archive' with 90% savings for businesses
Nov 01, 2021
CloudM, a SaaS data management platform, has launched Archive, a new feature which allows users to easily, automatically and safely store and recover user data, helping businesses to remain compliant without facing the mounting user license fees associated with traditional archiving and ediscovery solutions.
Supply chain, warehouse management, data analysis: DENSO digitalises logistics with RFID and IoT solutions
Nov 01, 2021
Logistics is under massive pressure: On the one hand, the industry has good growth prospects due to the corona-related growth in e-commerce. On the other hand, however, it has to meet increased customer demands and at the same time master the digitalisation.
Powerful industry alliance to lead fight against a cashless society
Oct 26, 2021
A new not-for-profit organisation, the UK Cash Supply Alliance (CSA), is officially launching this week and vows to lead a ‘cash fight back’.
Outseer unveils global research into 3D secure adoption and usage
Oct 26, 2021
Payment authentication and monitoring solutions provider Outseer has released new global research conducted by the Aite-Novarica Group focused on 3D Secure, the payments authentication standard developed and managed by EMVco. Aite-Novarica found that the 3D Secure standard is now widely deployed by card issuers and merchants globally and is being used as a key technology to fight card-not-present (CNP) payment fraud.
Sensei’s FAST App launched to provide retailers with a real-time overview of store inventory
Oct 18, 2021
Sensei, the European provider of autonomous stores, has launched its new FAST App to provide retailers with a real-time overview of store inventory, putting the store information at the staff´s fingertips and making retail operations much simpler.
New fashion app helping retailers and consumers avoid returns
Oct 12, 2021
Online shopping is booming. But with online shopping comes the cost – and the hassle – of online returns, and this occurs quite frequently when it comes to clothing.
Checkoutless stores: The future of retail
Oct 12, 2021
By Diana Morato, Chief Growth Officer, Sensei.
Despite the click & collect services existing pre-pandemic, in 2020 its competitive presence among retailers evolved the way consumers shop. Initially adopted because of safety factors, consumers have now become accustomed to the convenience of autonomy.
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.
