One of the UK’s largest parcel delivery firms, Hermes UK, has taken a major step towards achieving its digital transformation goal by implementing mobile barcode scanning and augmented reality (AR) technology from Scandit, the mobile computer vision experts.
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.
Smart glove for more efficiency – DENSO WAVE EUROPE introduces robust SF1 wearable to the market
Jul 03, 2019
The new SF1 Wearable is a combination of a scanner and a glove mount that can be worn comfortably on the wrist. Users can work with both hands, thus increasing work safety. The scanner is extremely robust and does not only increase safety, but also improves efficiency, especially in a logistics and warehouse management system.
hoopo & Polymer Logistics bring IoT tracking to the supply chain
Jul 02, 2019
hoopo, the geolocation technology provider, and Polymer Logistics (PL), a global provider of Retail Returnable Packaging (RRP), have entered into a partnership to deliver IoT tracking to the supply chain across Europe. The partnership aims to increase product freshness, reduce food waste, and cut costs along the supply chain.
TouchPath launches 'Touch Facility evacuation & verification' system for supply chain users
Jul 02, 2019
International supply chain solutions provider TouchPath is launching ‘Touch Facility Evacuation and Verification’, a system that uses Active RFID (radio frequency identification) badge-and-reader technology to record and track personnel entering, leaving and using warehouse and logistics, manufacturing or other supply chain facilities.
Linio Colombia and Ingenico ePayments partner up to offer the best online shopping experience
Jul 02, 2019
Ingenico ePayments, the ecommerce division of Ingenico Group, will provide Linio Colombia with advanced payments services, offering its customers an enhanced shopping experience.
Curbside Is now Rakuten Ready
Jul 02, 2019
Curbside, the Silicon Valley startup that takes the friction out of the mobile order-ahead experience for thousands of stores and restaurants, is now Rakuten Ready, taking on a new name one year after it became part of the Rakuten, Inc.
Tradeshift gives business teams the power of payments with Tradeshift Go 2.0
Jul 02, 2019
Tradeshift, the supply chain payments and marketplaces solutions provider, has announced a new team version of Tradeshift Go, a payments product offering that increases visibility into employee spending.
Tethr and Red Box announce partnership to accelerate and simplify the delivery of voice of customer analytics solution
Jun 25, 2019
Tethr, the AI-powered conversational intelligence platform for listening enterprises, and Red Box, the platform for voice, have announced a strategic partnership to help customers more easily capture and gain business insights from voice data.
Posiflex introduces its new, powerful mobile POS in its MT Series
Jun 25, 2019
Today's customers have higher expectations than ever when it comes to service. To meet and exceed customers' ever-growing expectations, Posiflex has introduced MT-5310W, the latest addition to the company's MT series: a hybrid solution that provides businesses with the mobility of a tablet and the functionality of a fixed POS terminal.
FreedomPay moves European headquarters to iconic 40 Bank Street offices
Jun 18, 2019
FreedomPay, the provider of secure commerce technology for lodging, retail, restaurants, stadiums and hospitality merchants, has announced the relocation of its European headquarters to the centre of Canary Wharf to accommodate the rapid growth and future expansion plans of its open payment platform operations.
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.
